In May 2025, the National Association of Owners of Non-State Forests "Gorovladeletz" sponsored the "Forest All-Around" competition. It is held regularly between all schools where future forest specialists are trained. For us, the good preparation of future foresters is of great importance, since after they graduate they will be part of the professionals practicing in our forests. In the period April 28–30, 2025, the PG under the SGST "Nikola Vaptsarov" in the city of Chepelare hosted the National Competition "Forest All-Around" 2025 - an event in which, in an absolutely professional environment, in a sports competition, enviable knowledge of various forestry disciplines, mental resilience and stable physical training are shown. The competition was held in the city of Chepelare, where the headquarters of our Association is also located. This was the 17th edition of the National Competition "Forest All-Around". This was the most significant professional competition for students studying in professions from the "Forestry" vocational field from vocational high schools in Bulgaria! The competition meets the needs of the time and places the participants in an attractive learning environment, transforming them from students into competitive specialists. 11 PGs from the country participated: PGZS "A. Stamboliyski" village of Chomakovtsi, PGSS "Geo Milev" town of Maglizh, PGGSD "N. Haitov" town of Varna, PGSSGS town of Kardzhali, LPGG town of Berkovitsa, NPSSGS "Hr. Botev" town of Velingrad, PLTG "N. Vaptsarov" town of Bansko, PGSSGSD "St. Bozhkov" town of Batak, PGDS "Tsar Ivan Asen II" town of Haskovo, NPSSGSD "S. Mladenov" town of Teteven and PGSSGST "Nikola Y. Vaptsarov" town of Chepelare. The competition took place in two stages: The first stage of the competition consists of running a route with a length of 2000 m. over rough terrain, including points in the individual disciplines: •I point: Recognition of coniferous and deciduous species, wood, footprints, game tracks, diseases and pests;•II point: Sport fishing;•III point: Planting saplings;•IV point: Shooting with an air rifle. The second stage of the competition includes:•I point: Felling, pruning, cutting and cube cutting of coniferous trees;•II point: Preparing a gasoline-powered chainsaw for work;•III point: Combined sawing of discs. After the final, awards were presented to the best young foresters in the country. Participants, committees, guests and hosts were present. All participants received certificates and prizes from the host school and the Executive Forestry Agency in recognition of their work and ambition. www.smurfproject.eu Funded by EU #smurfproject #SmallForestHoldings #forestry #forestowners #profitability #smallforestowners #foresteufuture #forestmanagement #sustainability #forestnews #cascadefunding #closetonaturesilviculture
