Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Älvdalens Savings Forest was formed in the late 1800's. During this time the country was conducting the first major land reform in Sweden, namely the redistribution of arable land through government action. In Älvdalen people saw an opportunity to form Savings Forest, that is jointly owned forests, where everyone would get part of the proceeds. The yield in the first place would cover were costs to manage and monitor the forest and to the measures to ensure regrowth and improve the forests. You could also use the proceeds to develop the area and make it easier for the population to manage their forest.

In early summer, a survey was sent to all the members of Älvdalens Savings Forest. The purpose of the survey was to get an idea of how forest owners tend and manage their forests today and how they want to use and manage their forests in the future. And also how they look at education, ownership, shifting of ownership, etc. The answers will guide Älvdalens Saving Forest in the process of how they will be able to meet the members' needs and preferences for an active forestry.

The questionnaire consisted of a total of 34 questions and was sent out to all the members of Älvdalens Savings Forest. The overall response rate was 29%, and mostly from men. The majority of the respondents are 40-Baby Boomers. The largest proportion of the respondents do not live on the property. The largest number have also indicated that they acquired their property by inheritance. On the issue of property owners have a forest experience has the greatest proportion answered no.

The plunging share decide for themselves what decisions to be made regarding their forests at present. As far as possible the property owners decide on their forestry operations in the future on their own but they also want to be able to get personal advice from Älvdalens Savings Forest.

Many of those who answered the question regarding ÄSF's courses have posted comments that they want ÄSF to locate their courses during the holidays, such as holidays, vacation and long weekends. They would otherwise find it difficult to participate.

The majority own their property together with 2-5 partners and they have between 11-50 acres. They have been members of Älvdalens Savings Forest for over 20 years. What is valued most by forest ownership is economy and recreation.
The largest proportion of forest owners who responded believe that they will implement a generation shift in the family in 10 years. Regarding selling the forest estate outside the family, 66% responded that it will not be sold outside the family.

Most want to implement voluntary exchange of land continues on a smaller scale though they have not participated in it.
The majority of forest owners read newspapers to get the information they want. To get information from Älvdalens Savings Forest the owners read the ÄSF's own magazine "Forest and power" and other mailings.

The respondents answered that they read the newspaper regarding what they usually read in the newspaper and that they experience the ease to read, informative and with
good balance and they think the current content is good. With large margin they feel like they have the benefit of the information contained in the magazine about forestry and it has got forest owners to actively do something, such as notification to education, order plants, up-keeping of the forest management plan, etc. They visit ÄSF's website a few times per year.