In this study, some aspects of communication that are creating problems in a
chosen forest conservation case are explored. Focus is on how the manager of a
forest experience how he is treated during a formal decision of conservation.
The paper also gives introduction to communication theory as well as to
present forest policies in Sweden. Explanations of the most common concepts
and terms in forest conservation is presented and such a understanding is necessary if the reader is to acquire enlightment from the material and the following
discussion.
This paper focus on a conflict between the county administrative board, a
Swedish regional authority, and a private forest-manager. This is a case where
the manager feels that the authority is forcing a sale of land, because the forest
is being turned into a conservation area. The problems are not just economical,
the manager feels mistreated and left out of the discussion, and the negotiation
is long and problematic as shown in the interview and the case study.
In the study, an in-depth interview is made with the manager of the forest,
and a case study has been made based on the documents in the case attained
from the county administrative board. The documents, combined with the interview show us where the manager feels that problems are rising and why some
parts of the discussion becomes problematic. Some of the problems are experienced by the manager as created due to lack of sympathy and empathy for the
manager from the authority. Also some unnecessary and sometimes harsh comments made by the authority are shown, some are experienced by the manager
to be based on incorrect information.
No two forest conservation cases are the same, even if the amount of forest
being lost(or saved) and the economic cost are similar for two forest-managers.
The cases are not really comparable due to the managers unique contextual
factors in the different cases.
Nature conservation management is not just about forest and land, it is a
field that involves working with people, who are unique and have a need for both
communica...
