Schauvliege has been under fire for some time. She is even being nicknamed "the minister of deforestation" by her opponents or environmentalists.

The issue is this one: Flanders has a clear lack of open space, and woodlands are under increasing pressure in a densely populated and industrialised region like Flanders. Every time trees are being chopped (to make room for industrial development projects), Schauvliege argues that this area is being compensated by new green areas. However, there is discussion about whether this compensation is actually taking place, and whether enough money is being earmarked for this.

All this caused friction between forest umbrella organisations such as Bos+, environmental pressure groups like De Klimaatzaak and even a stand-up comedian like Wouter Deprez on the one side, and the minister on the other.