The forest speaks – are we listening? 

 
The use of forests and talking about them have always been part of Finnish life. Forest-related language, actions, history, and politics are strongly intertwined and shape our interpretations. When we understand the layers of forest history and recognize the structures of forest discourse, we can see more clearly the relationships and aspirations of different actors. The resulting forest awareness supports a more open forest debate and opens up the future for change. This is precisely the kind of understanding that the Kone Foundation’s Metsän puolella (“For the Woods”) program wants to strengthen. 

 
In its sixth funding round, Metsän puolella is supporting 15 new projects with a total of 3.4 million euros. These projects look at forests from the perspectives of the past, present, and future. In them, forests are not just a source of raw materials, but an ecosystem, cultural heritage, a metaphor—and for many, a home. 

Forests in history and language

The funded projects shed light on the history of forests in many ways. One examines the appropriation of Lapland’s forests and the industrialization of Lapland from the late 19th century to 1918, while another uses archaeological methods to study the everyday life and environmental impacts of logging in the 20th century. A third project delves into the stages of forest diplomacy and examines the role of FAO experts as ambassadors of Finnish “forest diplomacy” and the links between forest companies and development aid. 

 
The language used to describe forests is also the subject of research. How did literature deal with the relationship with forests after the wars? What words were used to describe forests in past centuries? A combination of essays and photographs, an ecolinguistic and philological approach, and literary research illuminate how language not only reflects but also shapes our relationship with forests and, through this, influences the future of forests. 

Forests across generations and species

The forest is also examined as a cross-generational experience. Children’s books and exhibition works depict the forest as a shared world for children and grandparents – a place where nature is learned and appreciated.  

 
At the same time, the human-centered perspective is challenged: what if the forest and it’s species living there look at us? A series of photographs examines the forest from the perspective of other-than-human species. An sound art project highlights endangered small water bodies, whose underwater life we often do not even notice, even though they are ecologically vital. A project related to springs invites us to marvel at and protect these places, which are part of both nature and cultural heritage. 

For old forests – and towards new paths

Kone Foundation’s long-term work to protect old forests continues. The LUONMETSÄ project analyzes more than 350 natural forest data sets to create benchmarks that support decision-making and the development of conservation criteria. A nationwide survey of continuous-cover forests aims to create the first comprehensive picture of where forests that have been spared from logging for a long time are located in Finland. These projects lay the foundation for the protection of old-growth forests. 

 
The future will see a new forest certification model based on continuous growth, which aims to safeguard forest biodiversity – unlike the current systems, which have not been sufficient for this purpose.

The forest is a community

Through the projects we fund, we want to remind people that the forest is a living community that carries memories, meanings, and diverse life through time, as well as across generations.  

Nature does not need us to survive, but we need it. That is why it is time for us to listen to the forest in a new way – more sensitively, more curiously, and more wisely.

Read more about the funded projects: Metsän puolella funding for 15 new projects: raising forest awareness requires multidisciplinary understanding