Survey: local forests are a significant part of everyday well-being for Riihimäki residents

The city of Riihimäki conducted a forest survey among its residents in the summer. The aim of the survey was to find out residents' opinions on forest management. The survey was used to map out what kind of views residents have on current forest management and how they hope forests will be managed in the future.

The survey was conducted with 120 respondents. Responses were collected on the city's website and social media channels in July 2025.

The results show that local forests are a significant part of everyday well-being for residents. Forests are experienced as places where you can move around, calm down and retreat from the built environment. The most important features of forests were biodiversity, natural surroundings and easy-to-navigate paths.

"Thank you to everyone who responded. Although the number of respondents was limited, the survey provides valuable insight into the views of residents on forest management," says the city's forest expert Jami Suojanen.

The survey responses will be used in future forest management planning.

Supporting diversity is important

Residents hoped that forest management would be based on supporting biodiversity, for example by increasing mixed stands, leaving dead wood and favouring game thickets. Clear-cutting was widely opposed, and instead, continuous cultivation and small, natural measures were advocated.

"The city's forestry management favors continuous cover growth, but clear-cutting can be used if necessary, for example in areas of forest damage. The felling method is determined for each forest type based on the forest plan. The measures are updated if necessary based on up-to-date information and resident feedback," Suojanen says.

The results also raised concerns about the sufficiency of forests in the future under the pressure of construction and planning. The city was expected to have clear policies to preserve forests and prevent fragmentation.

In addition, residents felt that information related to forest management had been inadequate. Improving communication was estimated to increase understanding and acceptance of forest management measures.

We want to preserve forest nature for future generations as well.

Based on residents' responses, the most important goals of forest management are to secure biodiversity, enable recreational use, and avoid clear-cutting. The city's role was seen as central in safeguarding forest nature not only for current residents, but also for future generations.

The City of Riihimäki aims to manage forests openly, taking into account the needs and wishes of the residents in forest management. It will be possible to influence forest management and provide feedback in the future as well. In the feedback service of the city of Riihimäki.