Visitor frequencies and attitudes towards urban forests and their management, before and during the COVID-19 lockdown. A mixed methods case study in Bonn, Germany.

Visitor frequencies and attitudes towards urban forests and their management, before and during the COVID-19 lockdown. A mixed methods case study in Bonn, Germany.

Photo credits: Harri Beau – German Wikipedia

Urban forests play a crucial role for the wellbeing of city dwellers, and their importance for people has been emphasised during the COVID-19 pandemic. This exploratory study analyses the visit patterns and visitor attitudes and perceptions in a peri-urban forest nearby Bonn, Germany, as well as the impact of the lockdown. Methodically, we combined automated visitor counting with a total of 345 on-site interviews. Respondents were asked a variety of open-ended and closed questions on various aspects of forest management and recreation. The results show that shortly after the inception of the lockdown the number of forest visitors doubled and the visit pattern changed markedly. In contrast, people’s associations with the forest remained rather stable. The forest visitors interviewed primarily associated the forest with tranquility, recreation and fresh air, and they were generally positive about forest management. However, these expectations conflicted with the sense of crowdedness experienced during the lockdown, when novel forest uses and new motivations for visiting the forest arose, with an important focus on the forest as a place for social interaction. These were mainly a result of the lockdown restrictions, rather than COVID-19 itself, which left people with more time and flexibility, and less alternative activities. The results highlight the importance of forest management in catering to people’s expectations and ultimately for the role that forests play for people’s wellbeing. This was the case before the lockdown but arguably even more so during, in response to a variety of needs resulting from unprecedented circumstances.

Link to the article: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/26395916.2023.2195021

Call for abstracts EFUF2023

Call for abstracts EFUF2023

The overall theme for EFUF 2023 is Urban Forests as Nature-based Solutions

The organisers of the 25th European Forum on Urban Forestry (EFUF) invites urban forest practitioners, policy makers, researchers and managers to submit abstracts for the Forum. This includes, but is not limited to, applied as well as academic research, perspectives and experience of professionals and practitioners working in policy making, planning, management, engagement of civil society amongst many others. EFUF emphasises the connection of practice and scientific knowledge, encouraging a variety of possible formats to contribute to the conference.

We accept oral talks, presentations, posters and other non-commercial contributions. Abstracts (maximum 2500 characters, spaces included) are only accepted in English language. The proposal should be relevant to one of the three themes of the conference.

Deadline for submission of abstracts: 20 February 2023 9:00 am CET (Brussels time).

Abstract Topics

Contributions to the 25th European Forum on Urban Forestry will explore these aspects.

Theme 1: Urban Forests and Urban Greening Plans

Exploring the challenges of planning for existing tree-based urban green space, and for planning new urban forests, including citizens’ views and perceptions, and maximising services provided by urban forests.

Theme 2: Urban Forests, Urban Trees and Water

Exploring the role that urban forests and urban trees can play in managing water in and around cities and towns (water buffering, reducing floods, limiting water pollution), including the impact of droughts on tree-based ecosystems.

Theme 3: Biotic Management aspects in Urban Forestry

Exploring impact of pests and diseases, and the role of adaptive management to limit these impacts.

Abstract Submission

Abstract submission is now closed.

The programme committee will determine whether a proposal will be accepted for presentation, considering the significance and/or the innovative character of the contribution. Authors will normally be informed of the acceptance or otherwise of their contribution by the 20th of March 2023. The decision of the programme committee is final, and correspondence will not be entered.

At least one of the authors should register for the conference and should have their fee settled by 30 April 2023.

The language of the forum is English.

For any questions related to the abstract submission process, please contact rik . devreese @ efi . int.