Following the theme set by Post Europ for 2012, the set of stamps highlights four of the many reasons to ‘visit Jersey’. The largest of the Channel Islands, Jersey is situated 14 miles from the Cotentin Peninsula, in Normandy, France and enjoys a particularly favourable climate during the summer months. For many years, tourism has been one of the island’s greatest industries and it is little wonder when one considers just how much it has to offer.

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published January 9th, 2012

The topic chosen by Posteurop, the association of European public postal operators, for this years Europa stamp is the International Year of the Forest, in accordance with Resolution 61/193 of the United Nations. In cooperation with the Federal Forestry company, the Austrian Post Office has come up with something very special: the present stamp block, designed by Michael Rosenfeld, is far more than just a stamp. In the form of a small letter, the block contains a specially selected mixture of seeds from Austrian spruce trees from the Tyrol, the Salzkammergut, the Waldviertel, Styria and Carinthia.  (read more)

published August 31st, 2011

On 13 October 2011, the United Nations Postal Administration will issue three mini-sheets of eight stamps to commemorate the International Year of Forests.

Designated by the United Nations General Assembly, 2011 is the International Year of Forests. During this Year, everyone from Governments and the United Nations system, to major groups and other forest-related organizations are coming together to raise awareness on strengthening the sustainable management, conservation and development of all types of forests for the benefit of current and future generations.  (read more)

published August 8th, 2011

The topic of the issue positively joins the list of events carried out within the manifestations dedicated to the International Year of Forests 2011 declared by the United Nations General Assembly.

Forests, the ecosystem harmonizing a complex vegetal environment, as a wide diversity of trees and plants, with numerous species belonging to what generically is called “fauna”, represent at the same time a first rank factor in terms of climate.

A real “lung” of the Earth, the forests ensure the carbon circuit in the nature by retaining the carbon dioxide through the photosynthesis process and releasing one of the vital elements, the oxygen.

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published July 16th, 2011

Estonia is extremely rich in forests – nearly half the territory of the country is covered with forests. Estonian forests belong to the mixed forests zone and the most widespread forest type is where evergreen conifers dominate, but there are also deciduous forests.

Dozens of domestic species of trees and shrubs grow in the forests, the most common tree being the pine, followed by the birch and the spruce.

The biggest forests in the country lie in the north eastern and central parts of Estonia. There are primeval virgin forests, sustainably managed forests as well as specially developed holiday forests.

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published July 14th, 2011

Did you know that more than 1.6 billion of the world’s people depend on forests for their livelihood? Or that worldwide, the forest industry is responsible for $270 billion in trade, annually? In Canada, forests are among the largest and most diverse in the world—and have long been central to their economy.

Canadian forests cover 41% of the country’s land mass, which amount to roughly 10% of the world’s forest. In addition to moderating climate and filtering the air we breathe, they also provide a home for countless wildlife species.

Given the importance of forests to their economy, their environment and their well-being, the essential role they play in countries around the world and the way in which issues surrounding the future of the forest unite us globally, it comes as no surprise that the United Nations has declared 2011 as International Year of Forests. This global initiative, launched in February during the 9th session of the United Nation’s forum on forests, seeks to “raise awareness and strengthen the sustainable forest management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests for the benefit of current and future generations.”

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published June 25th, 2011

On May 5, 2011, Ireland Post issued two stamps for the annual Europa series.

The common subject chosen by PostEurop (European Post Offices) for 2011 was forests, with each country designing stamps to match this topic. For Ireland, two outstanding examples were chosen.

One stamp shows a little girl sitting under the Tulip Tree, at Knockabbey Castle and Gardens, Co Louth. These gardens date back to 1730 and in just over a decade they have been wonderfully restored to their former glory. The other stamp shows a young boy crossing the River Walk on the Avondale estate in Co. Wicklow. The estate has just over 200 hectares of forest, while the house now fully restored, was once the home of Charles Stewart Parnell.

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published June 7th, 2011

Every year the member countries of PostEurop vote to choose the subject to appear on all their EUROPA stamps to be released that year. UNESCO declared 2011 to be the “International Year of Forests” and the subject of the EUROPA stamp, “Forests”, is in accord with this.

 Forests are one of the sources of life on earth, an ecological community and habitat subject to natural factors and human intervention. They include micro-organisms living in the soil, moths, fungi, herbaceous and woody plants living on the surface of the soil, as well as the insects, birds and wild animals living in them. The forest is more than just a collection of trees. The forest is the greatest consumer of carbon-dioxide and the greatest producer of oxygen; it is the source of wood as a material, a renewable source of energy and the source of many other products; it regulates the earth’s water balance and influences the climate; it is almost the only habitat where the food chain is maintained without interruption, and it is the most important protector of the environment. In addition to this, its health promoting, regenerating effect is outstanding and welfare, cultural and aes-thetic impact is indispensable.  (read more)

published May 31st, 2011

The new Europa issue by Luxembourg is available to purchase on WOPA, for more information please visit the website:

http://www.wopa-stamps.com/

2011 has been declared the “International Year of Forests” by the United Nations. This is why the theme selected for this year’s Europa stamps series will focus on the “forest” topic.
Forests are vital to the survival of mankind and today require our attention more than ever before. They support life on Earth by protecting soil and water, help stabilise our climate and supply us with energy and natural, durable materials.

Their biodiversity is enormous and their role as the planet’s lungs is undeniable. However, their integrity is increasingly threatened by fire, parasites and diseases caused by climate change, uncontrolled deforestation and air pollution.

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published May 27th, 2011

By resolution 61/193, the United Nations has declared this year to be the International Year of the Forest. On this occasion, in cooperation with the Austrian Mint, an attractive commemorative block is being released whose round motif shows typical representatives of the flora and fauna of the Austrian forests. The aim of the United Nations here is to promote awareness and knowledge of the maintenance and sustainable development of all kinds of forests for the benefit of present and future generations. Particular attention is also to be drawn to the importance of the forest and a sustainable forestry industry as part of the efforts to overcome poverty.

Roughly 47% of the Austrian territory is forest. This means over 3.3 million hectares are used by the forestry industry. The provinces of Syria and Carinthia have the highest percentage of forest, which in each accounts for 61% of the land, and even 21% of the federal capital of Vienna is covered by forest. Almost three quarters of the Austrian forests are in private ownership, 16% are worked by the Austrian Federal Forestry Board, 9% are jointly-owned forests, 2% owned by local government and 1% by the federal provinces.

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published May 20th, 2011

2011 has been declared by United Nations as International Year of Forests and member countries of PostEurop join this Universal Declaration devoting this year’s Europa stamp to Forests. Each member country depicts those trees or forests characteristic to their ecosystems. Correos has chosen the Hayedo de la Pedrosa in Segovia.

The conservation and sustainable development of forests is an increasing concern to society and conservation movements have emerged to support and protect these natural ecosystems. It is estimated that forests cover between 25% and 35% of the land surface and are seriously threatened by indiscriminate logging, fires and industrial pollution. Forest provide habitat to many animal species and play key roles in human life and the balance of the biosphere. Forests act as hydrologic flow modulators and soil conservers, they affect the weather, the temperature and humidity of the air, they absorb carbon dioxide slowing down the negative effects of CO2 and purify the atmosphere. (read more)

published May 17th, 2011