Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The question is who should govern and administrate a municipality owned urban forest? Should societies and the public be invited to participatory planning, who are the interested parties, could they be treated like a group and what are their opinions on administration and management? The study is carried out in a municipal owned forest Vitberget Skellefteå that is widely used by associations and individuals for recreation and training.

This has led to several discussions in the local media about the management of the forest, especially in connection to harvesting. The work undertaken here has been to identify who has any interest in the management of the area. After identifying the interested parties, a selection of the societies, schools and pre-schools that actively uses the area as well as random individuals met in the area was interviewed. The questions asked can be divided into six main groups:

• Communication with the municipality’s managers for the area
• Interference from other activities
• Views on forest management
• Views on nature conservation
• The uniqueness of Vitberget
• Development opportunities
The crucial factors identified as being needed to succeed in managing an urban forest are long-term administration, information and communication. The general recommendations for management of urban forests provided by the Forest Agency, in form of practical advices appear quite in line with what the interviewees prefer. The long-term administration approach means that they do not want to live in fear that the area will be developed for other uses like new residential areas or that harvesting will be carried out to create bigger clear-cut areas. Most of the interviewed are asking for improved information and communication. A lack of information creates uncertainty and undermines confidence in the administrators and decision makers, it creates rumors, unnecessary fear and irritation. Communication can provide administration with information about what is unique today and how to improve the area. Education can also be part of information and communication, creating an understanding for why the administrator chose one method instead of another.