palos GmbH receives the Austrian State Prize for Forestry
Award for a groundbreaking cooperation project: Using AI, drones, and satellites, the project sets new standards in forest measurement, forest planning, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Vienna, December 2, 2024 – The collaborative project “Digital Reference Forest Area Sparbach”, conducted together with the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), received the Austrian State Prize for Forestry in the "Innovation" category on November 29, 2024, in Vienna.
The project stands out for its unique multimodal approach, integrating a wide range of measurement modalities to survey forests. It combines AI-supported forest inventory with satellite- and drone-based forest monitoring, LiDAR sampling, and both terrestrial and drone-mounted laser scanning.
Elfriede Moser, Head of the Forestry and Regions Department, emphasized the need for role models when presenting the award to palos GmbH: "Every sector needs innovation and forward-thinking individuals." The Austrian State Prize for Forestry, awarded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions, and Water Management, honors innovative and sustainable forestry concepts. The prize recognizes outstanding achievements that promote the protection, management, and sustainable use of Austria’s forests. It highlights the balance between ecological responsibility and economic sustainability, reinforcing the role of forest managers.
"With this collaboration, we demonstrate the enormous interdisciplinary potential that can be unlocked when science, existing providers, and a forestry group like ours work closely together. We are thrilled that our approach, which can serve as a model for cooperation across the entire forestry and timber sector, has been recognized with this award," said Oliver Hilpold, CEO THE LIECO COMPANY, which includes palos GmbH.
The project is ongoing, allowing further testing and validation of new methods based on the excellent data collected. Herbert Pamminger, Managing Director of palos GmbH, emphasized the positive impact on the palos platform: "The project's results provide direct benefits to users of the palos platform. The ability to analyze individual trees, even in heterogeneous mixed forests, not only enables precise inventory assessments but will also significantly enhance the efficiency of future forest management."
Dir. Hans Jörg Damm, Head of the Wilfersdorf Estate and Forest, where the reference area is located, welcomed the project's presence on his land: "The major technological advancements in forestry are helping us address the growing number of challenges we face. A strong practical focus leads to real benefits, ultimately resulting in both economic and ecological success. That’s why we are happy to dedicate 50 hectares of our land to this project and take part in this crucial development."
We extend our gratitude to Prof. Dr. Arne Nothdurft, Dr. Christoph Gollob, and their team at the Institute of Forest Growth at BOKU Vienna for their scientific support. We also thank all participating companies that have contributed to the project so far: Arboreal, Riegl, Planet Labs, Airbus, and GeoVille. Finally, special thanks go to our colleagues at Sparbach Forestry Operation, who are facilitating the project on-site.
About THE LIECO COMPANY and its subsidiary palos GmbH
THE LIECO COMPANY unites LIECO container seedlings, Lürssen forestry seedlings, and palos under one roof. As a leading forestry company in the DACH region, we bring nearly 40 years of expertise in reforestation, digital forest management solutions, and comprehensive forestry services.
palos GmbH (formerly Forest Mapping Management) has been a pioneer in digital forestry solutions for over 30 years. Our core offering is the palos platform, a comprehensive forest management solution that supports forest managers through all forestry business processes—from planting to timber logistics—enabling sustainable, efficient forest management that meets all modern requirements.
Our portfolio also includes FOVEA, an innovative digital timber measurement solution that seamlessly integrates with the palos platform. Using the iFOVEA Pro app, users can quickly and accurately calculate timber stacks of any size using cutting-edge image processing technology.
Additionally, we provide services such as individual tree analysis, tree classification, and high-resolution aerial surveys, delivering detailed insights into forest conditions and supporting data-driven decision-making.
THE LIECO COMPANY is part of the Liechtenstein Group.