The Hällan Site in Dalsland

The Land Use Dialogue (Naturbruksdialog) facilitates constructive discussions between a wide range of stakeholders and creates favourable conditions for collaboration. The work carried out in the Hällan area of Dalsland is an example of how open landscapes can be restored.

When landowners, livestock farmers and other local stakeholders are provided with a common focal point for cooperation, networks can be expanded and strengthened.

Until the middle of the twentieth century, Hällan was characterised by an open grazing landscape. The grazing animals then disappeared, and the land gradually reverted to woodland. This created favourable conditions for a landscape restoration project. The development work began when landowner Jan Andersson from Färgelanda contacted Lars Johansson at the County Administrative Board, who in turn involved his colleague Bengt Skalstad at the Swedish Forest Agency. Over time, the dialogue came to include four neighbouring landowners. After several meetings, common land-use objectives gradually emerged. As a result, landowners, livestock farmers and public authorities were able to work together to restore an open landscape that benefited everyone involved.

Multiple Benefits

— The restoration meant that we were able to graze cattle on tree-covered pastureland while also supporting biodiversity and highlighting a traditional cultural landscape, says Jan Andersson.
— The challenge in this dialogue process is to jointly identify the site’s potential to deliver different types of qualities and values, and to agree on common objectives. The work at Hällan resulted in a joint application for project funding to restore 25 hectares of semi-natural grassland, says Lars Johansson.

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