Brussels hosts the Green Week conference entitled "Every Drop Counts", which aims to protect fresh water resources.

More than 40 events organized by the European Commission in Brussels presented an approach that included the need for water protection, as is explained on the FOREST EUROPE growing life website. We must bear in mind that water is the most important natural resource and it is directly related to forestry.

The website also mentions that Franz zu Salm-Salm, Chairman of the Forest Owners, Saxony-Anhalt Association, complained that forest owners were victims of speculation and gambling in the water business. Forest water is considered the best but in order “to ensure top quality there are some factors that might affect forest productivity negatively such as the non-application of pesticides”.

The German representative of forest owners recalled the FAO definition of ecosystem services and made a passionate statement: “Managing forests for cleaner water means Valuating Forests! The value of forest ecosystems is three times more than wood itself.”