Frequently asked questions

Forever Forest was initiated by Gabriel Păun, with more than 25 years of international advocacy experience. He works across natural sciences, international relations, and diplomacy.

He has worked on every continent with organizations such as Greenpeace, Four Paws, Animals International, and Animals Australia, and he founded Agent Green.

His work has been recognized internationally:

• United Nations Champion of the Earth
• EuroNatur Award
• Named by Politico among Europe's influential environmental figures

He is the author of Homo Sentient, a book about the relationship between people and nature.

For the long-term safety of the forests.

Agent Green is involved in many legal cases, which can create legal risk. Forever Forest was created separately to remove that risk and protect forests from the possible consequences of lost lawsuits.

The foundation does not initiate litigation and does not enter conflicts except when it is necessary to protect forests already in its care, whether through ownership or usufruct.

Forever Forest is funded through:

• donations
• sponsorships
• partnerships

We fund the activities needed for the forest to remain protected and functional:

• guarding, rangers, and field interventions
• monitoring and alert systems
• biodiversity monitoring
• regular field visits
• taxes and fees
• mandatory contracts with forestry districts
• forestry planning, even when the forest is not exploited
• ecological care and restoration
• controlled ecotourism development

Yes. Very. Protecting a forest means serious ongoing costs:

• guarding and protection
• administration
• taxes and legal obligations
• monitoring
• care
• mandatory forestry planning even when no logging happens
• sometimes minimal ecotourism infrastructure

It is not a one-time investment, but a long-term commitment.

It depends on the forest.

• Some are fully protected
• In others we intervene under strict control

The goal is for the forest to remain whole and functional.

Because many forests have already been wounded by abusive exploitation.

In those cases, we intervene strictly to:

• increase carbon storage capacity
• accelerate CO₂ absorption
• restore soil
• restore biodiversity
• stabilize watercourses

It is ecological reconstruction until the forest regains balance.

Without aggressive forestry operations such as clear-cuts or progressive cuts.

Instead:

• we remove monocultures where they were planted
• we restore native mixed forest according to local forestry monographs
• we reintroduce natural structure: species, ages, and distribution
• we intervene selectively, lightly, and according to each place

Yes, in some cases.

But:

• in small quantities
• distributed
• without destroying the forest

We focus on:

• higher processing
• added value
• products with a long useful life

Forests:

• store carbon
• regulate climate
• protect water
• stabilize soil
• support biodiversity

Forest ecosystem functions include:

• carbon storage and sequestration
• oxygen production
• local and global climate regulation
• water filtration and retention
• erosion prevention
• soil formation and regeneration
• biodiversity support
• pollination
• nutrient cycles
• temperature and humidity regulation
• ecosystem stability

A forest located between Retezat National Park and Domogled-Valea Cernei National Park, part of a larger intact forest landscape. See the dedicated page →

We do not like rules. Only principles. Visitors enter at their own responsibility as guests:

• take nothing
• destroy nothing
• disturb no life

See all guest principles →

• donations
• sponsorships
• partnerships

It directly helps with:

• protecting a real forest
• keeping a living ecosystem functional
• developing a replicable model