The Recreational Use of Forests in Denmark 30 years of knowledge. Danskernes rekreative brug af skovene 30 års viden

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1 Danskernes rekreative brug af skovene 30 års viden The Recreational Use of Forests in Denmark 30 years of knowledge Frank Søndergaard Jensen Skov & Landskab Nordisk Skovhistorisk Konference September, Nordsjælland, Danmark Frank Søndergaard Jensen Skov & Landskab Nordisk Skovhistorisk Konference September, Nordsjælland, Danmark Outdoor Recreation is it still the same and how will the future be? Major trends in forest recreation the last 30 years Reflections on reasons/implications Future Definition of Outdoor Recreation... a number of human activities, which takes place during leisure time, away from the residence, place of work and sports ground, and is chosen by desire. Source: Natur- og Miljøpolitisk Redegørelse 1999 Source: Nordiska museet, Stockholm Priorities The Danish Forest Act Recreation: 1.- (2) In administration of the Act importance shall be attached to ensuring that forests are managed in order to increase and improve wood production and to protect landscape amenity, nature conservation, cultural heritage and environmental protection interests, as well as recreational activity interests. 1

2 Methodology Three National Surveys -1977, 1993-, and Same methodology Representative samples from CRS (15-78 year ) n=3071, 2895, 1919 Postal surveys, up to 3 reminders Response percentage: 91.4, 83.7 and 65.6% Most important goal for the visit Forest Beach/coast Lake "Field" Sea River Meadow Bog Archae. Site Heathland Other % Forest Recreation - an important leisure activity in Denmark - Non-Forest Visitors (Time since last forest visit) 1977: approx. 65 mill. visits/year (median: 11) : approx. 75 mill. visits/year (median: 10) : approx. 70 mill. visits/year (median: 10) Today Less than a week ago 1-2 weeks 2-4 weeks 1-2 months 2-4 months 4-12 months More than a year ago % - Reasons? / Implications? Non-visitors Duration of Forest Visits If political will to counteract this trend: Focus on groups with relatively more non-visitors (e.g. young males, non-western immigrants) Less than 5 min. 15 min. ½ hour 1 hour 2 hours 3-4 hours 5-8 hours More than 8 hours % 1,9 hour -> 1,6 hour 2

3 - Reasons? / Implications? Duration of visit Increased leisure opportunities during the last 30 years (media/pc) > competitive challenge regarding time Planning of new (shorter) routes/trailsystems Information-strategies which takes this trend into account Groupsize 1 person 2 persons 3 persons 4 persons 5 persons 6 persons 7 persons 8-10 persons persons persons > 25 persons % 4,8 persons -> 4,2 persons - Reasons? / Implications? Groupsize A more individualized society e.g. single-sized household increased by >33% to a total of 40% over the last 20 years Implications for recreation-facilities Went for a walk Experienced nature Studied nature Went for a drive Sat still Physical exercise Dog walking Working Fishing Ride on horseback Hunting Other Activities (I) % Activities (II) Activities (III) On picnic Followed a marked trail Picked mushrooms Went mountain-biking Picked berries Guided tour Slept in the forest % Bird watching Wildlife watching (- birds) Playing Taking photographs Bicycling (- MB) Nordic walking % 3

4 - Reasons? / Implications? Activities Conflicts - Mountainbikes Methodology! Continously increasing number of activities included in the questionnaire Political focus on physical exercise Planning and management for a more diverse activity pattern (increasing conflicts?) Rank: Less than 2 minutes 2 to 5 minutes 5 to 10 minutes Quarter of an hour Half an hour 3/4 of an hour 1½ hour More than 1½ hour Travelling to the Forest - Reasons? / Implications? Travelling to the Forest More focus on local/close-to-home visits (time constraints) Effect of (urban) afforestation /urban sprawl out in the landscape % 10.5 km -> 8.0 km Means of Transportation to the Forest On foot - Reasons? / Implications? Travelling to the Forest Horse Bicycle Moped MC Car Bus Train/Subway % Tired of travelling by car (traffic congestion etc.) Environmental awareness Dimensioning of parking areas Planning of bicycle lanes 4

5 The Nearest Forest is Important Visits to the forest next to residence: : 2/3 of the visits : 3/4 of the visits 3/4 of all forest visits are within 10 km from the residence The longer transport distance the more infrequent visits, the longer visit and larger groupsize Number of forest visits per year Distance and Number of Visits ½ ½ >15 Distance (km) Proximity versus quality Still the ideal forest! Summing up the Trends The Future??? => Close-to-home Recreation <= => Quick Recreation <= => Non-Participation/Participation <= => (Activity Diversity) <= 5

6 The Danish Nature Protection Act (1917) 1937 Public forests and Beaches 1969 Private forests 1992 Countryside (roads in the agricultural landscape) m zones along rivers and lakes Access Regulations The Future Landscape and Access Gravel roads in the open landscape: 96 km in > 47 km in % Globalization - a Multicultural Society Immigrants 9,7% 16,6% Kilde: Danmarks Statistik 2009 Non-western background 6,6% 12,1% ( ) km 1988 Photo: Anton Olafsson Source: Politiken Ageing Obesity and physical activities Denmark 2000: approx. 15% over 67 years 2040: approx. 40% over 67 years Sweden? Norway? Finland? Source: Politiken 6

7 Source : jonatur.dk Source: samsoutdoor.dk Source : Kennel Ulvedalen Source : E. Mygind Source : Team2010.DK 7

8 Source: bjafle.dk A Challenge!!! Crowding Not crowded 87% Slightly crowded 9% Moderat crowded 2% Extremely crowded 1% 3% has experienced inconveniences caused by other visitors Visitor Satisfaction Very satisfied 41% Satisfied 46% Neither/nor 5% Unsatisfied 1% Very unsatisfied 7% Thanks to: The Danish Nature Agency The Danish Outdoor Council 8