Answer the survey about your outdoor habits and nature experiences

A multidisciplinary research team from the University of Helsinki invites residents of Riihimäki, Hausjärvi and Loppi to participate in a survey. The survey will map outdoor activity habits and experiences with natural environments. Outdoor activity can include, for example, daily exercise, walking a pet, exercising, yard work, lounging, berry picking, fishing, hunting, hiking, swimming or viewing the scenery. The aim is to produce new information about how local natural environments affect well-being.

Answer the survey here (link opens to the Maptionnaire platform).

“People's experiences and the characteristics of everyday natural places are our focus,” says project researcher Hilla Saksman from the University of Helsinki.

“The City of Riihimäki participated in the survey so that we can gain new information about how the city's natural environments, such as parks, forests, bogs, meadows and trails, affect the well-being of residents and how our natural sites are perceived,” says the city's Acting Director of Environment Jenni Lehtonen.

It takes about 15 minutes to answer the survey.

In addition to outdoor habits and marking important natural sites, the survey includes a few opinion and background questions. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and can be completed on a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Responses will be treated confidentially, and the results will be reported in a way that does not identify individual respondents or natural sites.

“With this survey, we get valuable information directly from residents. Every response helps us understand where and how residents experience the well-being effects of natural environments,” says Anna-Kaisa Kosenius, the project’s lead researcher. The survey is part of the Forests for a Boost to Well-being and Health research project.

After answering, the respondent can, if they wish, participate in a raffle where five 20 euro gift cards will be awarded to the grocery store of the respondent's choice. Participation in the raffle is by leaving contact information on a separate form.

Project implementers

The nature experience survey is carried out as part of Forests as a boost to well-being and health research project. The project also includes the creation of a Forest Health Calculator. The project is implemented by Sosped Keskus Oy, Avoin ry, the Finnish Nature Association, the Natural Resources Institute Finland, the University of Helsinki and the University of Jyväskylä. The Finnish Scouts and the Finnish Cross-Country Trail are also involved in the collaboration. The project highlights the economic importance of the health and well-being effects of forests for society. The research project is funded by the Kone Foundation's Metsän poolet (Forest Side) initiative.