Author: jayne (Page 1 of 2)

LANDPATHS at conferences down under

25 June 2025 / jayne

Programme leader Malgorzata Blicharska (Gosia) is in Australia presenting LANDPATHS at two international conferences. While down under, she is also presenting work from the EU project NEXOGENESIS and Formas-funded project PUDDLE-JUMP, and promoting a new book.

First stop was Brisbane, for the 32nd International Congress for Conservation Biology 2025, hosted by the Society for Conservation Biology. Gosia presented the paper ‘Multiple understandings of multifunctional landscapes supporting biodiversity in Sweden’, co-authored with several members of the LANDPATHS team. The paper was presented in a session on Conservation Law and Policy, moderated by Helene Marsh (James Cook University).

Presenting at the ICCB conference in Brisbane.

While at ICCB, Gosia presented a poster on ‘Aligning policies and practice: addressing governance and capacity gaps in the implementation of ponds and wetlands in Sweden (results from the PUDDLE-JUMP project). She also organised a symposium on ‘Large and Old Trees – Ecological and Cultural Significance’. This is linked to an book on Large and Old Trees that Gosia is editing and which will be published soon. The symposium included presentations on: The decline of large old trees: threats, interactions, and conservation actions (Elle Bowd), Public safety considerations constraint the conservation of large old trees and their microhabitats (Arkadiusz Frohlich); The importance of large and old trees for fungi and fungi for large and old trees (Elle Bowd); and Writing the Jōmon Sugi: Literary Representations of Japan’s Most Famous Tree (Jon L. Pitt).

Arkadiusz Frohlich presenting his work on the conservation of old trees.

The LANDPATHS paper was also presented at the 11th Ecosystem Services Partnership World Conference in Darwin. The conference theme was ‘From global to local ecosystem services: pathways to Nature-based Solutions inspired from Down Under’ and the LANDPATHS findings were discussed in a session on ‘Importance of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in sustainable development of rural communities: livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, and nonmaterial values’.

Presenting LANDPATHS at the ESP World Conference.

While at the ESP conference, Gosia also presented a poster about ‘Bridging Science and Policy: Integrating Ecosystems into the Water-Energy-Food
Nexus for Sustainable Resource Management (from the EU NEXOGENESIS project).

It was not all work though, and Gosia managed some fantastic trips out into the Australian nature during her trip.

Aboriginal paintings in the Kakadu National Park

The LANDPATHS article presented at the conferences is currently under review in Journal of Environmental Planning and Management:

Blicharska, M., Dawson, L., Gilek, M., Hedblom, M., Hilding-Rydevik, T., Karlsson, M., Powell, N., Sandström, S., Tickle, L., Öhman, F., Glass, J. “Multifunctional landscapes – an overview of the concept in research and practice in Sweden”.

SAVE THE DATE: Experience sharing and learning workshop – forest landscapes

10 June 2025 / jayne

Governance and management towards more diverse forest landscapes in the Gävleborg region

We invite you to participate in a workshop aimed at strengthening efforts to diversify forest landscapes in the Gävleborg region. The workshop is part of the research programs LANDPATHS and Mistra Environmental Communication. The focus of the day will be on issues related to governance, management and learning in times of uncertainty.

? Date: October 1, 2025
? Time: 09:30 – 15:00
? Location: Högbo Brukshotell, Hans Hiertas v 5, 811 92 Sandviken

In a time of war, climate change, biodiversity loss and a changing political landscape, questions about how we govern, manage and use our Swedish forests are being cast in a new light. Against the backdrop of a more uncertain world, it is becoming increasingly important to promote different functions and values in the landscape.

Recently, there have been a number of initiatives to shift from clear felling to less intensive forest management practices. Although industrial felling still dominates, there are important examples of alternatives to felling that challenge institutionalized norms and help to legitimize new ideas and developing new conceptions of forests and forestry.

The aim of the workshop is to explore how we can work within existing governance and management structures to empower initiators, facilitate networking and enable more people to act in ways that increase forest diversity. During the workshop, participants with different interests and knowledge in forests, from the private and public sectors, will discuss and think together about the following questions:

Who are the key actors driving the diversification of the forest landscape?
What kind of initiatives, innovations and relationships do these actors promote or discourage?
How can their roles be strengthened?
What room for action exists within existing governance and management?

We hope you will join us to share your insights and help develop governance and management that strengthens the diversity of the forest landscape.

Please register via the following link: https://doit.medfarm.uu.se/bin/kurt3/kurt/8886732 by 30 June 2025.

If you have questions, please contact Thao Do.

Imagining otherwise: the struggle for alternative urban futures in south east Uppsala

4 June 2025 / jayne

Envisioning urban futures is as much a social and political act as it is a spatial one. It involves negotiating how we want to live together, what values we prioritise, and whose voices are included in shaping those futures. In the case of south east Uppsala—where a large-scale development plan includes 21,500 new housing units, a train station, and tramlines—this act of collective imagining has become a site of contestation.

A future vision for south east Uppsala 2025

Whose vision shapes the city?

Insights from our workshop held on 28 March 2025 revealed not only sharp critiques of the Uppsala municipality’s plan but also a deeper tension around whose visions for the city are allowed to shape its future.

A central finding from the workshop discussion is the constrained capacity for collective urban envisioning. The pre-determined scope and parameters of the municipality’s proposal cast a long shadow over what was intended as a co-creative, open-ended exercise in urban imagination. The plan’s dominant framing seemed to set the agenda in a way that inhibited local stakeholders—residents, civil society actors, and others—from articulating alternative imaginaries of what the area could become in the future. While green spaces were generally appreciated during the discussion, they were often mentioned as “the icing on the cake” rather than central elements. As a result, discussions centred less on collaboratively creating desirable visions and more on shared concerns around the top-down nature of the formal planning process.

From critique to collective action

This sense of exclusion is echoed in the prevalence of critical narratives directed at the municipality. Many participants voiced concerns over the sheer magnitude of the proposed development and pointed to a lack of meaningful public consultation during the early planning phases. There is also a widespread perception that environmental concerns—such as the preservation of nearby natural areas like Lunsen and Årike Fyris—have not been given adequate weight. These criticisms reflect not only discontent with specific aspects of the plan but also broader concerns about transparency, public participation, and the democratic legitimacy of the planning process.

These critiques stood in stark contrast with the municipality’s assertion that citizen dialogue had been conducted thoroughly and that public opinions were incorporated into the planning process. During the workshop, a political representative emphasised the need to balance individual preferences with broader sustainability objectives—an approach that would inevitably involve difficult trade-offs. At the same time, there are clear calls for more innovative thinking, long-term planning and a landscape perspective that accounts for both local values and global challenges.

Re-imagining planning through co-creation

Interestingly, the workshop conversations also revealed strong place-based resistance among certain local residents, often manifesting as Not-In-My-Backyard (NIMBY) sentiments. Such responses speak to deep emotional and historical attachments to place. They highlight the underlying tensions between place-based attachments and the municipality’s overarching urban development ambitions. Resistance in this context is not necessarily about opposing urban development, but perhaps more about opposing a vision of development that feels imposed and disconnected from local identities and values.

Together, these findings suggest that creating opportunities for shared imagining among diverse stakeholder groups is key to making urban landscape management inclusive and co-creative. Such collaborative envisioning can complement formal planning frameworks by fostering spaces where community-driven ideas and narratives can meaningfully shape urban futures. Furthermore, the findings call for a shift in focus – from solely critiquing the structural limitations of formal planning to recognizing and embracing individual and collective agency to bring about change, even within those constraints.

The case of south east Uppsala is not just a technical matter of infrastructure, housing density or the encroachment on nature and green spaces. It is also a question of how to strike a balance between formal planning institutions and decisions made within representative democracy, and the potential that arises from innovative, co-creative approaches to imagining the collective future of multifunctional urban landscapes.

For more information, contact Thao Do (Uppsala University) in the Future imaginaries project.

New report summarises the results of Nämdö archipelago citizen jury

27 May 2025 / jayne

A new report summarizes the results from the citizens’ jury in the Nämdö Archipelago. The citizens’ jury was organized through a collaboration between the non-profit association Nämdö Green Archipelago (NGA) and LANDPATHS. The purpose was to establish priorities and deepen knowledge for the work of creating a biosphere reserve in the Nämdö Archipelago.

The citizens’ jury brought together 25 participants with various connections to the Nämdö Archipelago, ranging from permanent residents to part-time and holiday residents. Participants were recruited through an invitation letter sent to all households in the Nämdö Archipelago, as well as through digital channels and posters placed in strategic locations. This was followed by a selection process aimed at recruiting a broad diversity of opinions, demographics, and connections to the area. Participants received financial compensation for their involvement and were offered other forms of support to facilitate participation (language buddies, childcare, etc.).

During the process, experts contributed knowledge in fields such as sustainable community planning, business development, conservation, biodiversity, culture, and infrastructure.

The process was led by the consulting firm Kairos Future, which also designed the process in collaboration with NGA and researchers from LANDPATHS. The citizen jury discussions mainly took place in small groups, each led by a group facilitator.

After two days of deliberations, the participants proposed the following priorities for NGA’s work on the planned biosphere reserve:

Permanent residents
Promote an increase in the number of permanent residents in the archipelago, especially by creating more opportunities for small-scale businesses such as local food production.
Conservation / species balance
Promote greater biodiversity and a balance of species. Specific actions mentioned included reducing the deer population, restoring more wetlands, and creating habitats for predatory fish.
Digital meeting place
Create a digital platform to increase youth participation in the development of the Nämdö Archipelago.
Marine Centre (“Havsrum”)
Work towards establishing a Marine Centre in connection with the planned national park.
Community activity centre
Work to establish a multi-purpose community centre on Nämdö.
Consultation
Act as a consultative link between local residents and government authorities.
Renewable Energy
Facilitate the establishment of renewable energy solutions.
Drinking Water
Promote more sustainable use of and better access to drinking water.

The citizens’ jury also created a shared vision for the archipelago’s development. The results will serve as the foundation for NGA’s continued efforts to establish a biosphere reserve in the Nämdö Archipelago.

Read the report here, Swedish (PDF):

2025 05 Nämdöskärgårdens medborgarråd – Rapport Download

If you have any questions, please contact Tim Daw (Stockholm Resilience Centre).

Long-term perspectives, dreams, and prerequisites for multifunctionality and biodiversity in Härjedalen

14 April 2025 / jayne

An engaged group of 20 people, primarily consisting of farmers from farms around the vast region of Härjedalen, gathered in Hede on a sunny Monday in early April. The topic of the day was imagining futures for agriculture in Härjedalen.

Participants gathered at *Wemer Wärdshus in Hede, Härjedalen*. Photo: Johanna Tangnäs.

Challenges and opportunities in the area

There are many challenges in terms of infrastructure and financing, but also very clear advantages and strengths. The region is rich in biodiversity, has favourable conditions for natural grazing, and many of the country’s remaining active mountain pastures (fäbodar) are located here. Keeping the landscape open, continuing with natural grazing, and cultivating the land in a wise manner are crucial for ecosystems, but also for ensuring that people can continue to live and make a living here, even for future generations.

Our research has shown how policies and support measures (mainly from the EU) highlight the importance of the work being done in small-scale agriculture and local communities. At the same time, the existing support systems and structures at both the European and national levels are not particularly favorable for the landscape and the forms of land use that exist in Härjedalen. Furthermore, it has become clear that farmers themselves are not sufficiently consulted on what they need in order to continue, and how they can contribute to biodiversity and strengthened food production in agriculture.

The questions discussed during the day focused on desired futures and possible paths to reach them:

What positive futures for agriculture can you envision – in terms of production, livelihoods, living conditions, and nature?
How can future agriculture in Härjedalen continue to produce food and contribute to biodiversity?
What could enable these positive futures – what changes are needed in support systems and conditions?
What does the EU’s agricultural support mean for the development of good futures for agriculture in Härjedalen?

Late winter hills in Härjedalen. Photo: Johanna Tangnäs.

A wide range of participants

In addition to farmers, a few other business owners participated (many combine farming with other businesses in Härjedalen), along with two representatives from the municipality, one from the Rural Economy and Agricultural Societies (Hushållningssällskapet), one from the Federation of Swedish Farmers (LRF), one from the Association for Swedish Pasture Culture and Outland Use (Förbundet Svensk Fäbodkultur och utmarksbruk), and four researchers from the Landpaths program: Johanna Tangnäs, who moderated the day; Tuija Hilding-Rydevik, who planned and prepared the workshop together with Johanna; Tommy Lennartsson, who contributed knowledge about multiple land use in Härjedalen’s contemporary and historical agricultural landscape; and Neil Powell, who supported the group in discussions and conversations about the future.

Recurring themes in the discussions

A summary of the desired scenarios and proposals that emerged during the day will be presented in various forms throughout the year. Some recurring themes included: a stable, long-term, and more holistic form of support that encourages and enables young people to take over; support for various forms of farming based on local conditions; and a general desire for more of the infrastructure needed for natural-grazing-based farming to thrive – such as local slaughterhouses, dairies, and someone to collect the milk. There was also a strong wish for better protection against farmland being bought up and then left unused, ungrazed, or even uninhabited.

The next step will be to summarize the proposals that came up during the day and hold a brief follow-up meeting at the end of April with all participants. The proposals and visions of the future, together with other results from the research program, will form the basis for input to responsible national authorities and for continued research.

For more information, contact Johanna Tangnäs.

Report from Day 2 of the Citizens’ Jury on municipally-owned forests in Voxnadalen

12 December 2024 / jayne

What values should we prioritize in municipally-owned forests, and what forest management methods can best create these values? These are the questions that the Voxnadalen Citizens’ Jury was tasked with addressing. The forests that were discussed in this process are owned by Bollnäs, Ljusdal, and Ovanåker municipalities.

On November 23 2024, the participants of the Voxnadalen Citizens’ Jury gathered for a second time at Hälsingegård Ol-Anders in Alfta, filled with expectations and reflections from the first meeting that took place two weeks earlier. The first meeting focused on ecosystem services and sparked many thoughts, and there was eagerness in the room on day two to continue the discussions.

Människor runt ett bord diskuterar vid andra träffen av medborgarrådet om skogen — Discussion about the forests during the day’s meeting at Hälsingegård Ol-Anders

Forest Management and Administration

The second day focused on the management of the forests. Participants listened to presentations from representatives of all three municipalities, who explained their current forestry practices. There was a lot of interest from the audience and many questions.

These discussions were followed by a overview presentation of different forest management methods. Erik Nyberg from Sveaskog spoke about clear-cut forestry, Annevi Sjöberg from Plockhugget AB described close-to-nature/continuous-cover forestry, Anna Jansson from the County Administrative Board of Gävleborg talked about nature conservation, and Erik Lundh from Bollnäs municipality outlined the municipalities’ planning work, which sometimes includes forest land development.

Deliberations and Conclusions

The participants had a strong interest in the forest as a place for culture and education. They described the forests as an important place for children and young people to experience and learn from. Many highlighted that the forestry industry is important for the regional and national economy, and discussions frequently focused on how this affects other values of the forests, such as biodiversity. The role of forests in replacing fossil-based products and fuels led to reflections on whether reducing consumption should actually be the priority. The forest’s role as a source of healing during difficult times in life was also a recurring theme.

There was a curiosity among the participants about alternative forest management methods (non-clear cut methods), and the presentation on close-to-nature and continuous-cover forestry generated considerable enthusiasm, even though there was some skepticism about the ability of this method to generate financial income.

Post-it lappar på ett stort pappersark med en tabell som deltagarna har använt för att lyfta fram olika aspekter om skogsbruk — Notes on advantages and disadvantages of different forest management methods

Participants also discussed the municipalities’ roles in developing new management methods. Given that the current income from municipal forests is relatively low, it was considered reasonable to experiment with methods that can address multiple forest values appreciated by the residents. Many also expressed the view that more of the timber from municipal forests should be used locally, although some doubted the efficiency of this approach due to the current lack of infrastructure for processing and selling forest products.

At the end of the day, participants presented their main arguments for or against the various management methods and explained their reasoning. Several politicians and officials from the respective municipalities were present to hear the results.

The results of the process are now being compiled and will be presented to all interested parties at Voxnadalen Biosphere Reserve’s annual open meeting, which will take place in the spring of 2025.

Inspelningsapparater liggandes på ett bord. Alla samtal spelas in för att analysera processen. — All discussions were recorded and will now be analysed to feed into the research process

Research on the Process

Several LANDPATHS researchers from Stockholm University, Uppsala University, and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences observed the process and documented how it functioned in practice.

The researchers are interested in better understanding how this type of local dialogue and deliberative decision-making can support the creation and management of multifunctional landscapes.

Rummet med deltagare som diskuterar vid tre olika bord — In-depth discussions during day two

What is a Citizens’ Jury?

A Citizens’ Jury involves a randomly selected group of citizens who listen to various perspectives, opinions, and expert knowledge on a matter of public interest and then engage in in-depth discussions. This method differs from other forms of citizen engagement, such as citizen dialogues. In a Citizens’ Jury, participants are chosen based on criteria that ensure broad representation of the general public within a small group. The process usually concludes with a collective decision or set of recommendations. These types of processes have been employed in several countries to address complex issues, including sustainable development and climate change.

Report from Day 2 of Nämdö Citizens’ Jury

5 December 2024 / jayne

How do we balance development and conservation in the Nämdö Archipelago? What is the key to increasing the population and creating meeting places for everyone? These questions were discussed during the Citizens’ Jury second and final meeting on 16 November 2024. Over two weekends, 25 citizens with various connections to the Nämdö Archipelago gathered to discuss and prioritise areas for work on the planned biosphere area.

Guiding the work in relation to the planned Biosphere Area

The main task of the Citizens’ Jury was to create a foundation for the non-profit organization Nämdö Green Archipelago (NGA) in their ongoing work to form a biosphere area. The participants represented different resident groups in the Nämdö Archipelago, from year-round residents to seasonal or summer residents.

The first day consisted of presentations that provided several perspectives on sustainable community development. The second day focused on discussions and exchanges between the participants. These discussions covered opportunities, consequences, and ideas based on project proposals taken from NGA’s biosphere feasibility study. The conversations were based on the presentations from day one, along with the members’ own experiences, values, and ideas. During the day, participants shared their reasoning about the risks and opportunities of the projects and how they affected each other. They also highlighted some additional key actions for NGA to prioritize in its continued work to become a biosphere area.

External Observers

On the second day, two observers participated: a local politician and a representative from WWF, both observing and being inspired by the process.

Balancing Conservation and Development

A biosphere area is designed to work with preservation, development, and support efforts for nature and society, as well as to find local solutions to global problems. These themes became guiding principles in the group discussions throughout the day. Conservation was a central issue that many participants addressed. Several shared their personal experiences of a changing ecology in the archipelago, particularly regarding the negative development of fish stocks. Many talked about how fishing once used to be rich and vital, with even younger participants testifying to a marked decline in the last 10-15 years. The problem was widely acknowledged, but opinions were divided on what can be done locally and what must be addressed at higher levels.

There was agreement that there are local opportunities to affect and improve areas like meadows, wetlands, and shallow bays, and that managing the deer population should be a priority. The deer population was seen by many as both a problem and an opportunity, as it could provide a potential source for local production and processing. Small-scale venison processing already takes place, and many saw this as an opportunity to increase production and create an income stream for the multi-skilled residents of the island.

Balancing the development of communities and businesses with nature conservation and environmental preservation was a recurring theme. An increased number of tourists is good for development but also puts pressure on the area’s nature and environment. Therefore, opinions were divided on how much focus should be placed on strengthening the tourism sector. On the other hand, there was unanimous support for the biosphere area working to increase the number of year-round residents, though it was difficult to agree on how this could be achieved.

A major question was, who should settle in the Nämdö Archipelago? Housing prices in the archipelago are very high and exclude many from the housing market. A group that was specifically mentioned was “digital nomads” — people who have created geographic freedom and flexibility through digital tools and live accordingly. However, for people to move in, a functional economy is needed, either through businesses establishing themselves in the archipelago or through remote work and commuting. It is also important to find target groups who could eventually consider registering their residence in the area, ensuring that tax revenue grows with the population.

Creating and strengthening a social meeting place became a central theme in the discussions. This meeting place also needs to be digitally accessible, as information spread through traditional channels often reaches a limited audience. Opinions about how best to organize information and communication varied greatly among participants — some (mostly older) pointed to the need for communication channels like newsletters and websites, while others (younger participants) saw greater opportunities in digital platforms. Finally, regarding travel and accessibility, there was significant interest in improved solutions for carpooling and boat shuttle groups.

A Starting Point for the Future

One of the strongest impressions from the Citizens’ Jury in the Nämdö Archipelago was the power of people, who typically wouldn’t meet, coming together and creating new networks. Almost all of the members signed up for a common list to keep in touch and stay involved in the future. Through the Citizens’ Jury, NGA has reached a wider audience and received input from more diverse groups. These insights and contributions will form a valuable foundation in the work of creating a biosphere area.

The results from the process will be presented and discussed at a meeting in Nämdö early next year. Interested? Look out for more information on Nämdö Green Archipelago – Nämdö Green Archipelago.

Research on the Process

A number of researchers from Stockholm University, Uppsala University, and Södertörn University observed the process and noted how it worked in practice. The researchers are interested in better understanding how this type of local dialogue and participation can support the creation and management of multifunctional landscapes. The Citizens’ Council is part of the LANDPATHS research project, which aims to promote multifunctional landscapes that are both rich in biodiversity and meet the needs of various stakeholders.

Citizens’ Juries in Landscape Planning

Citizens’ Juries involve a randomly selected group of citizens who hear different perspectives, opinions, and expert knowledge on an issue of general interest, and then discuss the issue in depth. This method differs from other forms of citizen engagement, such as citizen dialogues. In a Citizens’ Council, citizens are chosen according to criteria that ensure broad public representation in a small group. The process typically ends with a shared conclusion or recommendations. Citizens’ Councils have been used in several countries to discuss complex issues, including sustainable development and climate change.

For more information, contact Tim Daw.

Annual LANDPATHS retreat included lively discussions with our followers

22 November 2024 / jayne

On 15-16 October 2024, the whole LANDPATHS team gathered at Wiks Slott near Uppsala for our annual retreat. This is a longer meeting where we take stock of our work and deepen the collaborations between the subprojects. This year, the retreat included an engaging workshop with some of our followers from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SwAM) and the County Administrative Boards (CAB).

Most of the team in front of beautiful Wiks Slott

Discussing our findings

On the first day, we started the meeting with a World Café exercise to identify and discuss our most pressing challenges and questions together. We focussed on identifying core themes emerging from the subprojects and thinking about how to synthesise our work going forwards. We also started to look at how our recommendations or proposed pathways for multifunctional landscapes can be made as useful and practical as possible for a range of people working in different organisations and in different contexts.

After these initial discussions we had the opportunity to discuss some of our emerging results and recommendations in more detail with Ann Åkerskog,
Ingrid Johansson-Horner, Lars-Olof Sarenmark and Hannah Östergård Roswall (from SEPA), Therese Elfström and Ulrika Stensdotter Blomberg (from SwAM), and Klara Tullback Rosenström (representing CABs). We were able to think more about the target groups for our research, how the idea of multifunctional landscapes can appeal to a wider range of interests, and how the programme might contribute to the implementation of the EU Nature Restoration law that came into force in August 2024.

Discussing our findings and recommendations with followers

Shaping the LANDPATHS Manifesto

On day two, we shifted our focus to planning the Manifesto that we will present at the end of the programme. The Manifesto will be co-created within and beyond the programme, and include a range of recommendations on governance strategies, policies and sustainable practices for multifunctional landscapes. Building on the discussions from the first day, we were able to discuss the Manifesto co-creation process in more detail, as well as how best to structure our recommendations.

Revisiting the programme timeline and discussing collaborations

Deepening collaborations

A vital part of meetings like this is also to find the time to develop our collaborations within the programme and explore ideas in a supportive setting. There was time for side discussions about ongoing preparations for the deliberative mini-publics taking place this autumn in Voxnadalen and Nämdö, planning upcoming imaginaries workshops in the urban and agricultural subprojects, and also finding the time for some creative activities and walks in the surrounding forest.

We would like to thank everyone from SEPA, SwAM and CAB who joined us at this meeting and we look forwards to working more closely with you all in the coming months!

Citizens’ jury deliberates over the future of municipal forests in Voxnadalen

11 November 2024 / jayne

On November 9th 2024, 22 randomly-selected citizens from the municipalities of Bollnäs, Ljusdal and Ovanåker assembled in Alfta for the first day of the Voxnadalen citizens’ jury about the management of municipally-owned forests. This initiative is a collaboration between the LANDPATHS research programme and Voxnadalen biosphere reserve. Through small-group discussions, informational presentations and a field trip to some forest plots, this diverse group of people learned, shared and discussed perspectives on the different values of forests.

Participants listening to a presentation at Ol-Anders Gård. Photo: Judith Lundberg-Felten

Lead facilitator Johan Hammarlund from Kairos Future, who designed the process together with Tim Daw and Vera Telemo from the LANDPATHS team, introduced the concept of a citizens’ jury. The process emphasises considered, open and respectful dialogue, and the exchange of perspectives. These aspects were reflected in the first exercise the participants completed: each table of 7-8 people defined their own rules of discussion for the day, such as respectful language, letting people make their point, and turning phones to silent.

Learning about ecosystem services in the woods

The group then went out together to visit a forest, stopping at two different sites. On the way, Urban Larsson from the Swedish Forest Agency, the first of the day’s knowledge-brokers, introduced the participants to the four groups of ecosystem services that were discussed during the day: provisional, cultural, regulating and supporting services.

The first stop was a 2.7 hectare key habitat from 1996 that is protected by a nature conservation agreement. The participants made a steep descent to where the clear Långbäcken stream winds calmly through a forest of lichen-covered spruce trees, softly illuminated by the November sun on the day of the excursion. They gathered around Urban Larsson, who asked the participants how they felt in this place. There were expressions of calm, peace and seeing beauty, as well as a forest “as it should be”, with appreciation of the untouched appearance due to both dead and living trees. Urban also asked the participants to mention the different ecosystem services they could see. Examples mentioned by the participants included mushroom and berry provision, a place for hunting, cultural services such as a place to experience calm, and a place of cultural history where water has an important function. The area is also home for several endangered species such as the fungus Phellinidium ferrugineofuscum and freshwater pearl mussels.

Visit to the key habitat. Photo: Jonathan Mattebo Persson

The second stop of the excursion brought the participants to Gammel-homna, a demonstration site for restoration of water streams and part of the local project Rivers of Life. A short walk through rocky terrain, surrounded by blueberry-covered ground under spruce, pine and birch trees, brought the participants to the border of a small, lively flowing river.

Here, the second knowledge-broker, Helén Berggren, Head of Culture at Bollnäs municipality, introduced the importance of cultural values of the forest and her work in Bollnäs with young people to help them experience and create a relationship with the forest. Helén’s talk was accompanied by the appearance of two teenage girls dressed in white, dancing through the forest and creating a magical ambience around the participants. Some participants opened up to share how they had experienced the forest in their childhood and how they built a relationship to the forest, as well as how raising the topics of local culture and history can be a way to create identities and roots for young people in their local environments.

At Gammel-holmna Helén Berggren talked about cultural activities and how to create opportunities for teenagers to experience the forest. Photo: Johan Hammerlund

Two teenage “forest dancers” from Bollnäs (in white dresses) share their joy of being in the forest. Photo: Tim Daw

From forest products to red-listed species

Back at Ol-Anders Gård, the participants shared a lunch before listening to the other two knowledge sharers of the day. The first was Anders Lundberg from Billerud Korsnäs, who presented a variety of products from the forest such as timber and microcellulose that is used in medical drugs, packaging, soap, hygiene products, fabric, and novel packaging such as paper bottles. Anders also emphasised the economic importance of forest-based production nationally, and especially in Gävleborg. The participants engaged in a lively discussion about Anders’ contributions over the following coffee break. Next, Matthias Ahlstedt from Naturskyddsförening in Dalarna informed the participants about planetary boundaries, the carbon balance in the forest and what the effects of harvesting are on the balance, as well as the rationale behind the red-list for endangered species.

Creating visions and unlocking new perspectives

Participants ended the day by deliberating about the pros, cons and interest conflicts related to the different values and uses that had been identified throughout the day. Each participant wrote down their own visions for the municipal forests in 15-25 years from now. Collectively, the participants expressed appreciation for the process and the opportunity to talk with people with different backgrounds and experiences. One participant phrased her experience as “unlocking her own thinking” and that she got to open up to new perspectives. Hanna Alfredsson from Voxnadalen Biosphere Reserve expressed gratitude for the opportunity to hear voices from a wider variety of people than are usually represented in discussions about the management of the biosphere.

Participants discuss novel forest products with Anders from Billerud Korsnäs. Photo: Tim Daw

Sofie Zetterlund from Bollnäs municipality is keen to hear about the results of the citizens’ jury and hopes that they will inspire new ways of management. During the second day of the process on November 23rd, representatives of forest management in each of the three municipalities, as well as local politicians, are invited to receive the suggestions from the participants about their perspectives on management of the municipal forests to encourage versatile and multifunctional use and values.

Research on citizens’ juries

In the LANDPATHS research programme, Fanny Möckel (Uppsala University) and Tim Daw (Stockholm Resilience Centre) are studying the scientific process of citizens’ jury both in Voxnadalen and in Nämdö, through on-site observation, a before-and-after survey, and interviews with the participants. Read all of the news about the LANDPATHS minipublics.

The team that organized, observed and documented the first day of the citizens’ jury in Voxnadalen were delighted with the experience.
First row (left to right): Fanny Möckel, Vera Telemo, Anna Bohman
Second row (left to right): Elias Marin, Judith Lundberg-Felten, Jonathan Mattebo Persson, Johan Hammarlund, Tim Daw
Photo: Fanny Möckel

For more information about the mini publics being organised within LANDPATHS, contact Tim Daw at Stockholm Resilience Centre.

Citizens’ Jury on the Nämdö archipelago Biosphere Reserve underway

29 October 2024 / jayne

On Saturday 19 October, the participants in Nämdöskärgården’s citizens’ council gathered for the first time. The council brought together 25 citizens with different opinions and connections to the Nämdöskärgården. Some were year-round residents while others were part-time or summer residents. After an educational and information-rich first day, the preparations for the next gathering, which will take place on November 16, now begin.

This blog post is an English translation of an article we wrote on the Nämdö Green Archipelago (NGA) website (see the NGA article in Swedish).

The citizens’ jury in the Nämdö archipelago connects with the process of establishing a Biosphere Reserve around Nämdö and its surrounding islands. A collaboration between LANDPATHS and Nämdö Green Archipelago, the citizens’ jury is tasked with generating input on the future development of the archipelago, with a specific focus on which initiatives should be prioritized in the local actors’ continued work to establish the biosphere area.

During the first day, the participants learned more about what a Biosphere Reserve is and listened to different perspectives on the challenges and opportunities the faced in Nämdö.

Speakers during the first day:

Nämdö Archipelago Biosphere Reserve, Ann Aldeheim, Nämdö Green Archipelago
Preserve on land and below the surface, Elin Dahlgren, SLU
Community service and development, Anna Gabrielsson, Värmdö municipality
Infrastructure and transport, Sune Fogelström
Business and tourism, Martin Rosén, Stavsnäs Båttaxi
Social meeting places and culture, Kerstin Sonnbäck, Lower Dalälven Biosphere Reserve

After each presentation, the participants had the opportunity to reflect in small groups on the presented perspectives, ask questions and discuss their views and experiences. Afterwards, the participants were encouraged to write a future vision to describe how they imagine the Nämdö archipelago in the coming years. The day ended with shared reflections and impressions from the day, as well as expectations for the future.

With information, experiences and reflections from the first day, the group will gather again on Saturday 16 November. The focus of the second day will be on delving into the different perspectives, and prioritising and analysing the advantages and disadvantages of different efforts.

The result of the citizens’ jury will form the basis for Nämdö Green Archipelago’s continued work to establish a biosphere area in the landscape.

A big thank you to all participants for your time and commitment!

More information about the citizen jury method

In a citizens’ jury, citizens are selected according to criteria that ensure a broad representation of the public in a small group. Over several days, the participants hear different perspectives, opinions and expert knowledge, and then get to discuss the issue in depth. The process usually ends with a joint conclusion or recommendations. Citizens are compensated for their participation in this process.

For more information about the citizens’ juries taking place within LANDPATHS, contact Tim Daw (leader of the Barriers and opportunities for change project).