For local residents, the local forest is an important place to get outdoors and recharge their batteries. As forest owners, municipalities need to pay more attention to the management and use of their forests.
– I am very happy that such a so-called oasis can be found so close to the city centre. I would like to see it preserved in the wild as much as possible.
The City of Hämeenlinna is currently drawing up a forestry programme that will set out the principles for how the city will manage and use its forests. Residents have also been invited to give their opinion on forest management, either by answering a questionnaire or by taking part in a forest walk.
Urban respondents say they go to the forest for outdoor activities or sports, nature observation, berry picking and mushroom picking. The forest is a place to relax and recharge their batteries. More new trails in the city’s forests were requested.
Municipal forests are also a matter for municipalities
In terms of forest protection, it is easier to protect large, uniform areas than large forest hectares, says Suominen. He also highlights nearby nature. For example, with zoning, the municipality can promote natural diversity and recreational use.
According to the 2020 survey of the current state of the use of municipal forests by the Finnish Municipal Association, Finnish municipalities are even more interested in developing the use and planning of their forests to be more versatile.
Municipalities try to take into account other than just economic goals when using the forest, such as biodiversity, recreational use and climate goals. However, based on the survey, there is still room for improvement in the preparation of plans.
However, municipalities are forced to take a closer look at the management of their forest assets, as people are more aware of the importance of forests and nature. For example, the city of Hämeenlinna changed its logging plans in the Tarus camping area due to strong criticism from, among other things, environmental organizations.
Hämeenlinna’s forest assets are not insignificant
In the past, the future of Hämeenlinna’s forest assets has been outlined in a broader green area program.
About 3,000 hectares of the forest owned by the city are used for forestry, ten percent are protected and the rest are neighborhood and recreation forests.
According to the people of Hämeenlinna, the three most important goals of forest management are a diverse natural environment, recreation, and the health and safety of forests.
Hämeenlinna plans to organize forest walks for city residents in the future as well. Walking allows you to have a direct conversation with the residents, says forestry engineer Leena Väisänen.
– Especially if a larger construction site is being built in a nearby forest, you should invite nearby residents and residents from further afield to the forest walk if there is interest. Things can then be discussed at the destination.
Leena Väisänen and Kaarina Aulin talk about Hämeenlinna’s forests and the preparation of the forest program in the following audio.