State funding for the management of nature reserves and national parks has decreased by 46 percent per area since 2017, according to new calculations by the Swedish Outdoor Promotion Association and the Swedish Tourist Association. The consequences for our most valuable nature and outdoor infrastructure will be significant. Several county administrative boards are even being forced to close down facilities.
The Swedish National Audit Office assesses in its new review Management of protected nature that the county administrative boards lack the resources to maintain the natural values and to a large extent make the protected areas accessible to visitors. The county administrative boards are postponing many necessary measures for outdoor recreation and nature conservation until the future.
– Nature is the Swedes' most important arena for exercise, movement and well-being. The fact that county administrative boards are forced to dismantle outdoor infrastructure when we are at the top of the world in terms of sedentary lifestyles is the wrong priority. The government's ambition to strengthen public health is important and to succeed, investments in nature conservation and outdoor life are now needed in the autumn budget, says Kristina Ljungros, Secretary General of the Swedish Outdoor Promotion Association.
The Swedish National Audit Office writes in its report that most county administrative boards have downgraded services in protected areas, such as cleaning toilets and garbage collection. Many county administrative boards are even forced to close down outdoor recreation facilities because of a lack of money. The report states that county administrative boards are now demanding clearer priorities from the government about which outdoor recreation measures should be prioritized in view of the budget level.
– We are receiving reports from all over the country that the county administrative boards cannot afford to take care of nature reserves and national parks. Now we need to see an increase in the autumn budget so that more people can be welcomed into the outdoors. More money is needed for windbreaks, hiking trails, toilets and barbecue areas in Swedish national parks and nature reserves, says Maria Ros-Hjelm, Secretary General, Swedish Tourist Association.
Outdoor recreation is important for public health. The health benefits for children who spend time in green environments are well documented for both physical and mental health and development, a study shows. new report from the Public Health Agency of Sweden.
Tuesday, August 20, 8-9 am, organized by Friluftsfrämjandet and STFWebinar: What is needed for Sweden to be able to manage its nature reserves and national parks? with Helena Lindberg, Auditor General, Lena Lakso, Director of Audit, Emma Nohrén (MP), Chair of the Riksdag's Environment and Agriculture Committee and Elin Nilsson (L), environmental and rural policy spokesperson.
Facts
The National Audit Office's review of the management of protected nature: www.riksrevisionen.se/om-riksrevisionen/kommunikation-och-media/nyhetsarkiv/2024-05-30-eftersatt-skotsel-av-nationalparker-och-naturreservat.html
Inflation-adjusted calculations of government funding for protected areas:
According to the press release.
