REN is part of a national project for the integrated management of the forest

REN - Redes Energéticas Nacionais, joined several domestic companies and universities to establish the ForestWise association, creating the Collaborative Laboratory for the Integrated Management of the Forest and Fire (Laboratório Colaborativo para a Gestão Integrada da Floresta e do Fogo), which will have its headquarters in Vila Real, at the facilities of the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD).

ForestWISE, a private nonprofit association was formally established via a deed signed on 29 September.

The association's purpose is to carry out research and development (R&D) activities, seeking the forest's protection and sustainable management, minimizing the risk of fire and other risks; the management of rural fires; the increase in productivity and health of the forests and forest ecosystems; the supply of a broad range of forest services and products with high added value to the industry, rural community and society in general, and also the promotion of skilled and scientific jobs.

ForestWISE's founding members are: REN; Altri Florestal, Amorim, EDP Distribuição, Europac, Sonae Arauco, The Navigator Company; University of Aveiro; University of Coimbra; University of Évora; UTAD; Estrutura de Missão/AGIF, INESC TEC, INIAV, IPMA and ISA.

ForestWISE may have other members, namely: other companies; business associations; higher education institutions; other relevant partners from the productive, social or cultural sectors, both domestic and foreign; technological interface centres; non-business entities of the R&D system and other public-sector organizations.