Forest researchers will meet in Finland to participate in the Integrative Science for Integrative Management conference to be held at Saariselkä August 14 th - 20 th. The topics of the conference organized by the Finnish Forest Research Institute (Metla) range over forestry, forest policies, as well as nature and recreational tourism. A kick-off meeting for the new Forests and Human Health programme theme will also be held during the conference.

Integration is a fundamental part of modern life and the meaning of borders and boundaries is becoming less distinct everywhere. The Integrative Science for Integrative Management conference will raise discussions on how integration is manifested in forest sciences and the use of forest resources. Other topics to be covered include bioenergy, climate change, forestry and environmental issues, environmental economy and policies, controlling natural resources, and nature and recreational tourism.

- We expect interesting and innovative discussions on several fields from the point of view of socio-economic forestry , says Tuija Sievänen, Conference Coordinator in the midst of the arrangements.

The kick-off meeting for ¿Forest and Human Health¿, a new thematic programme chosen by IUFRO (International Union of forest Research Organizations) will also be held at Saariselkä.

- The meaning of forests as part of human health is gaining in importance for several reasons. Our aim is to enhance interactions between the different operating bodies, says Hannu Raitio, Director General of Metla, who is in charge of the Forests and Human Health theme.

Approximately 130 researchers representing the member countries of IUFRO have registered to participate in the conference. The most distant countries being represented in Finland are Japan, India, the United States and Canada. About half of the participants are from Finland. The participants in the conference represent forest research focused especially on social sciences and economics. The plenary presentation in the opening session will be given by Petri Heinonen, Environmental Manager from Metsähallitus.

IUFRO (International Union of Forest Research Organizations) organizes a global conference every five years and other annual meetings for the forest science researchers.


Additional information:

Conference Coordinator, the 6th vice-coordinator for IUFRO Division IV, Senior Researcher Tuija Sievänen, tuija.sievanen@metla.fi, +358 10 211 2246
Information Officer for the Conference, Mirja Vuopio, mirja.vuopio@metla.fi, +358 50 391 3556