From Trees to Trust: Exploring Community Perceptions of Municipal Forest Management in Two Finnish Municipalities

Abstract

Municipal forest management in Finland faces the challenge of balancing economic, ecological, and recreational goals within a participatory framework. This thesis investigates stakeholder perceptions — community members, NGO representatives and scientists, and municipal authorities’ representatives — in two Finnish municipalities of Raseborg and Hanko. Combining qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys, the study examines how stakeholders evaluate the balance of priorities, trust in municipal authorities, and the inclusivity of forestry management practices. The findings reveal significant differences in stakeholder satisfaction and trust between the two municipalities. Hanko is perceived more positively, particularly for its community-centered approach and higher levels of trust and engagement. In contrast, stakeholders in Raseborg express less satisfaction with transparency, ecological sustainability, and responsiveness to stakeholder concerns, highlighting gaps in meeting environmental and community expectations. These results underscore the importance of inclusive and transparent decision-making processes in municipal forest management. The study advocates for enhanced participatory frameworks and targeted engagement strategies that respect the diverse priorities of stakeholders. By addressing perception gaps, municipalities can foster greater trust, collaboration, and sustainability in forest governance. This research contributes to the academic discourse on participatory environmental governance while offering practical insights for improving municipal forest management practices.