Development of Structural Criteria for the Certification and Designation of Recreational and Therapeutic Forests in Bavaria, Germany

Background: Based on the increasing evidence of forest health, a research project assessed structural certification criteria recreational and therapeutic forests in 15 Bavarian pilot sites. The main objectives were (1) to develop standard for (2) establish designation process. Methods: Relevant identified by literature review. findings, conjunction with landscape planning principles, used catalog criteria, which was then tested amended field testing Results: structured into four sections: general requirements, forest-specific safety infrastructure, preventive and/or interventions. At 13 sites, 3 designated, 47 professionals trained, process body established, results published manual (BayKK KuH). Conclusions: This newly developed represents an innovative synthesis science empirical on-site experience. It enables interested parties or basis transparently standards order use health-promoting effects prevention therapy.