WaldWege
Sustainable Forestry and Wood industry Management Game
Context
WaldWege (Forest Paths) is a strategy game that brings the complexity of forest management in Switzerland to life.
Designed for students, educators, and professionals alike, it offers an immersive experience into the challenges and trade-offs of sustainable forestry.
Players step into the shoes of key actors the forest-wood supply chain - such as forest managers, sawmills, or construction companies - and make decisions that shape a forest landscape over 150 years. Through interactive gameplay, they explore ecological, economic, and social dimensions of forest use and conservation.
We invite you to
> step into the roles of forest managers, sawmills, energy producers, and construction companies
> navigate a changing forest landscape shaped by climate impacts, market fluctuations, and unpredictable discruption
> Explore trade-offs and negotiate across the forest-wood supply chain, balancing economic, ecological, and social interests
You will
> Balance competing forest functions - from timber production and conservation, to recreation and protection from natural hazards
> Experience the realities of European forest and wood sector dynamics, including policy and market pressures
> Plan for the long-term in the face of droughts, pests, shifting species ranges and other climate-related challenges
> Test and compare strategies to manage forest multifunctionality while adapting to change
Together we
> Reflect on the long-term impacts of today's choices and how the system responds to disruption
> Strengthen shared understanding among stakeholders across the forest and wood sector
> Discuss realistic strategies for enhancing resilience and sustainability across the supply chain
> Identify leverage points to accelerate transformation toward a more adaptive forestry and wood sector
How We Are Using It
WaldWege was developed in close collaboration with FSC® Switzerland (Forest Stewardship Council®), PH (University of Education) Zürich, and a broad network of forestry experts, researchers and educators, such as BFH, WaldSchweiz and ASF (See full Story).
The game is already being used in workshops with both professionals and laypeople – as a strategic tool, a learning platform, and a space for dialogue. It helps participants explore decisions, challenge assumptions, and test different approaches in a risk-free environment.
This game is not just about learning sustainable forestry.
It’s about understanding how forests, people, and decisions are interconnected – across time and sectors. WaldWege creates space for meaningful conversations about the future of our forests in Switzerland and beyond. It equips participants to think systemically, act strategically, and collaborate for a more sustainable and resilient forest & wood industry.
Partners
Selected partners who have participated in WaldWege
Resources
You can find here scientific publications, articles, videos and blogs about our approach, our methods and our projects.