The main purpose of the institute is to provide continuing education and training in the forestry sector and in forestry related fields, as well as to heighten public awareness to the importance of forestry.
The Forestry Extension Institute is a non-governmental organisation founded in 1958. The institute is organised as a partnership with 37 forestry organisations and scientific institutions forming the membership. Between 20 and 25 persons are employed at the institute, most of them being professional foresters and extension specialists.
The activities of the institute are nationwide and cover a large variety of subjects within:
• forest management
• planning
• economy
• silviculture
• ecology and certification
• multiple use of forest land.
• building and maintenance of forest roads
• forest operations and techniques
• wildlife management and hunting
For 40 years the institute has managed the extension programme Activity in Forestry. This programme consists of a number of courses offered to forest owners and forest workers all over the nation.
For the teachers and the pupils in the elementary school, the institute manages an educational programme: Learning with the forest.