EFINORD and CARe-FOR-US networks join forces
The North European Regional Office (EFINORD) and Forestry Serving Urbanised Society II (CARe-FOR-US) networks explored possibilities for future cooperation during foresight workshop “Ecosystem services provided by forests serving urban societies in Northern Europe”.
The workshop took place in the premises of the Swedish University of Agriculture Sciences (SLU) in Alnarp, Sweden on 14-15 May, 2012 and a joined work plan for the next five years took a shape in an enthusiastic atmosphere.
The goal of the workshop was to foster collaboration between traditional Nordic research networking supported by the Nordic Forest Research Cooperation Committee (SNS) and EFINORD. It began with keynotes on forests and multifunctional landscapes, forests improving the quality of life, and innovative approaches in European urban forestry. A major part of the workshop was allocated for interactive sessions working in small groups. Several topics were identified for cooperation with regard to forests providing cultural and social services, and biodiversity and environmental services, as well as with regard to economic aspects and new services in a rural-urban context, and governance and management aspects.
Concrete joint actions were drafted under four tentative titles:
- Social and demographic trends and drivers for urban forestry in the Nordic-Baltic regional population
- Urban green infrastructure resources
- Role of health benefits and their economic value
- Integrated governance of forests serving urbanised societies
Activities include joint research projects and promotion of research topics, networking and platforms for sharing information and research results, raising awareness of the theme, and for example mapping out the information needs as well as creating potentials for new businesses. The draft work plan will be circulated to a wider network for feedback and comments.
Further information about the work plan is available from Mika Mustonen, Head of EFINORD (mika.mustonen@efi.int) and regarding the CARe-FOR-US network, contacts for this workshop: Cecil C. Konijnendijk (cecil.konijnendijk@slu.se) and Anders B. Nielsen (anders.busse.nielsen@slu.se).
The workshop presentations will be available on the EFINORD website.
The workshop was jointly organized by EFINORD, CARe-FOR-US and European Forest Institute’s Foresight and Information Programme, and it was hosted by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).
