Maaike De Ridder Email and Phone Number

Start up of ENFORCE, the first Belgian forensic wood centre. Belgium receives almost 30% of the EU import of tropical timber via the port of Antwerp. While illegal logging remains a major problem, regular checks of the origin and species of timber are not yet routine measures. ENFORCE wants to provide scientific services in assisting companies, customs etc performing wood species checks. On the other hand, the centre is a part of the Wood Biology Service of the AfricaMuseum and holds one of the largest wood collections worldwide, the Tervuren Xylarium. Therefore, ENFORCE can also experiment on practical workflows, new methods and creating databases that help in resolving problems on the origin and determining the exact wood species. Specific tasks: create and strengthen a network of potential users of the centre, database management of results and follow-up on research within the centre

Follow-up of a project that promotes and encourages non-productive investiments (NPIs) for farmers in Flanders. These NPIs will be presented in a hands-on manner and communicated via a dedicated network of partners to facilitate their application. Goal is to inform and support farmers in applying for NPIs and also communicate their stories to the public. NPIs offer mechanisms to cope with the consequences of climate change by connecting nature and agriculture. As most NPIs are also very visual (e.g., nest boxes, hedges, bee hotels), they will also create awareness and introduce additional eyecatchers for all those enjoying the countryside!

Auditing companies holding an FSC and/or PEFC certificate in Dutch, French and EnglishFollow-up on evolutions regarding the certification standardsResponsible for the implementation of new rules and corrective actions regarding FSC accreditation

Set-up of a framework and implementing specific actions aiming to reduce and/or preventing littering in 10 municipalities close to Brussels

Valorizing one the world's largest wood collections in research projects XYLAREDD and follow-up program HERBAXYLAREDD, enlarging the scope to other botanical collections in Belgium and abroadProject writing and implementing, mentoring with passion master and PhD students, organizing sparkling conferences with a small but brave team, networking within and beyond the project team in Dutch, French and English and reporting in detail on progress and use of project funds

PhD research including fieldwork in Central and West Africa, analyses, article writing, mentoring master students and networking with other involved partners in wood biologyApplied research combining forest inventory methods, wood technology and wood biology.Dissertation entitled: Tree-ring analysis and stem biomass estimation of limba (Terminalia superba Engl. & Diels) in the framework of sustainable forest management

Hands-on research in the framework of the exhibition 'Knock on Wood', lab analyses, guided tours in the xylarium of Tervuren, networking with the different partners in and outside the museum.