Health promoting forests - From theory to action in urban forest management

Urban forests in Sweden are used by more than 1 million people yearly and is 15% of all the forested land. These forests are very important for outdoor recreation and increasingly important for urban populations physiological and psychological well-being. Yet, almost all urban forests are managed by foresters with little knowledge of human values and strong focus on production demands.

The increasing number of studies on how people perceive and react to different types of forests and how to manage those to better support wellbeing are never tested in practice. Additionally, practitioners demand this knowledge. In this project, researchers in landscape management, landscape architecture and environmental psychology will manage a 55ha urban forest together with private companies, municipal forest managers, ecologists, the Swedish forest agency and non-profit organizations.

The project

The project is interdisciplinary and based on co-creation.We use present literature knowledge, provide dialogue with representatives of residents and users of the forest before and after management interventions and will place QR codes on poles for public evaluation. The SLU based think tank MOVIUM will provide workshops and dissemination.

Goal and purpose

The goal and purpose of the project is to provide practical advices for urban forest landowners through action on how to manage forests for the human best. The impact would be a knowledge transfer of the results to other urban areas on health-promoting forest management.

Other project members

Cecila Lundin, Forester, Täby Municipality, funder of the Forest management network. 

Lisa Klingwall, Senior Landscape Architect 

Anna Furness, Skogsägarna Mellanskog

Isabella Bergkvist, Skogsägarna Mellanskog

Örjan Grönlund, Skogsägarna Mellanskog