Vilhelmina Model Forest: International Development Research Centre

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Vilhelmina Model Forest

Document(s) 2 of 2

Country:
Sweden
Location:
Northern part of the country
Year joined IMFN:
2004
Area of Model Forest:
850 000 hectares

Forest and resource profile

The land base in Vilhelmina is in the transition from boreal to alpine zones. The area is a typical coniferous-dominated landscape of inland northern Sweden. It is variable in its topography, from about 340 meters above sea level up to 1000 meters in the mountains. There is a great variety of tree species, natural habitats and degree of disturbance by forestry. Some 350 000 hectares is productive forest land, where the majority holds old growth (80 years or more) forests. The amount of old forests increases as you move westward, as does the proportion of forests with high natural values.

About 8000 people live in Vilhelmina Municipality, almost half of the whom own some forest property. About 100 people are organized in indigenous communities. [Figures are for the forested area only (530,000 ha)]:

Private owners (family)
36%
Private forest companies
20%
State forest companies
29%
Vilhelmina common
10%
Church, Vilhelmina Municipality
3%

Forest Management (350,000 ha)
41%
Protected forest area (180,000 ha)
21%
Non-forested mountains, water, etc ( 320 000 ha)
38%

Economic profile

Forestry is a vital component of the Vilhelmina economy. About 200 people are employed as sawmill workers, truck drivers, fellers and other forestry-related occupations.

Why a model forest?

During the past few years, there has been an intensive discussion as to what forestry practices should be used in the western parts of Vilhelmina Municipality. Dominating these discussions are environmental sustainability and land access rights indigenous migrant reindeer herders vis-à-vis forestry practices. Both private land owners and companies seek a more constructive dialogue on forestry practices in the area.

The on-going debate, with its steadily increasing number of new proposals on forest management practices, intensifies instability in forestry planning. Landscape planning is a concept where different strategies will hopefully lead to strong forest production and sound environmental solutions. As part of IMFN, Vilhelmina will be able to draw from the challenges and successes others have had in areas such as harvesting techniques, geographic information systems (GIS) and managing competing land-use interests.

Partners

• National government (State Forest Agency)
• Indigenous peoples

• Municipalities and communities

• Academia and research institutions
• Private forest owners and associations
• Private and State forest companies
• NGO's, schools, wildlife tourism, etc.
• Local entrepreneurs

Strategic goals

To promote strategic approaches for realization of sustainability principles in practical forestry and land use by using the Model Forest as the setting and the interface between the research community, the authorities (local, regional and national) and forest practitioners
To explore the best management, land use and conservation principles in natural coniferous landscapes by creating thematic landscapes using modern techniques and up to date knowledge
To elaborate on principles for integrated and balanced management objectives (production, ecology, socio-cultural) to make forest owners feel secure in their right to use and manage their forests, and to aid the national, regional and local authority in decision-making
To develop and demonstrate functional, sustainable forestry methods with particular emphasis on land use by the indigenous Sami people and to hydrological integrity in riparian ecosystems
International networking and knowledge exchange with other model forests

Main accomplishments to date

Conducted an intensive period of seminars and study tours in and around Vilhelmina
Hosted colleagues from Canada on three occasions, as well as representatives from the Barents region.
Constructed a demonstration area. Local people have been invited to view it and discuss the Model Forest concept
Established an information outlet in the old “church town” where people can get information concerning the Model Forest’s work
Developed a governance structure (10 person steering committee)
Initiated development of the local partnership

International policy links

Recognizing the need to promote holistic solutions beyond local boundaries alone, the newly launched EU Interreg, Tacis and Baltic 21 project, which includes Sweden and seven other countries surrounding the Baltic Sea, is the region’s first cross-sectoral and trans-boundary forest-based cooperation initiative. “Baltic Forest” participants hope to secure forest sector sustainability, and enhance input to regional development and spatial planning, by exploring how the model forest concept can be employed to meet Baltic Sea Region goals. Vilhelmina Model Forest is also an active member of the circumboreal initiative alongside Canada and Russia.

Resources

Rapport (Report) nr 6 2004 Vilhelmina Model Forest and Barents Model Forest Network

Rapport ( Report) nr 7 2006 Arenor för brukande av landskapets alla värden

Contact information

Name: Leif Jougda, Landuse Expert

Address: Volgsjövägen 27, S-912 32 Vilhelmina, Sweden

Phone: 46-940-371-47

Email: leif.jougda@skogsstyrelsen.se

Website www.skogsstyrelsen.se

Document(s) 2 of 2