Our alumna Frida Björkman: The debate on forests is too black and white

When the snow covers the ground, Frida Björkman takes a warm layer of clothing and slip-on snowshoes with her to work in the field. On hot summer days, she goes into the forest at 4 a.m. to avoid the hottest part of the day.

Björkman works as a forestry expert at Metsähallitus, the Finnish Forestry Agency, which manages the state's forests and water areas.She is responsible for forest holdings from Orivesi to Ähtäri and up to the municipality of Vöyri on the coast of Vaasa. 

- On average, I am in the field three days a week all year round, whatever the weather. I also do a lot of driving, she says.

The forestry expert's tasks include planning felling areas, forest management and nature conservation work. She ensures that the information in the geographic information system is up to date and serves customers who want to buy firewood collection permits for logging areas.

The work involves a lot of collaboration within Metsähallitus and with other organisations such as the Defence Forces, the Natural Resources Institute and various educational institutions.

- The work is varied and diverse. We also have free working hours, which makes it easier to balance work and leisure time. I can decide for myself when I go to work and when I leave work.

When you're walking in the countryside, work doesn't always feel like work. Björkman particularly enjoys the moments in spring when the snow is still on the ground and the sun is shining. The early, serene summer mornings and the first crisp frosts of late autumn also bring a smile to her face. 

- What's great about the job is that you get to experience the different seasons in nature, she says.

It's also worth looking for work in small towns and cities

Frida Björkman has always been a keen hiker and outdoorswoman. But when she started her forestry studies at TAMK in 2013, she didn't know much about forestry.

- I looked at what studies were on offer at Tampere University of Applied Sciences and forestry sounded like a fun subject. And I was right, because it's fun to work in this field!

Björkman particularly liked the versatility of the engineering studies. Not everything was studied on the school bench, but students and teachers often went out into the field. The teachers were nice, and there was a good team spirit among course mates.

Björkman graduated from TAMK as a forestry engineer in 2017, and a year later she got a permanent job at Metsähallitus, the forestry team in Central Finland. She first started working at the Karstula branch in Central Finland and four years later moved to Orivesi in Pirkanmaa.

Björkman encourages other recent graduates to apply for jobs with an open mind, even in small towns.

- It pays off to start somewhere. If you don't like it there, you can always move later. Once you get work experience, it usually opens many doors. 

Björkman recently completed a master's degree in forestry at TAMK while working. The studies focused on biodiversity conservation.

- Biodiversity is a very topical and important issue for the future. The YAMK studies allowed me to deepen and update my own knowledge on this topic, she says.

Solutions, not confrontations

Finnish forests have different aspirations and objectives, which sometimes seem to conflict with each other. The forest industry needs wood, but biodiversity should be preserved, and forest carbon stocks should be looked after. In addition, forests are important recreational areas for Finns and part of the national landscape.

According to Frida Björkman, it is usually possible to reconcile the different objectives.

I feel that the debate on forests is far too black and white and polarised. I wish we would think about how we can resolve issues instead of confrontation.

Frida Björkman

Björkman also enjoys spending her free time in nature. She is often accompanied by her two Swedish Vallhunds Mårran and Gullan, named after a Moomin's character Mörkö and Ulla from Arkadianmäki from the stories of Pekka Töpöhäntä, respectively.

Mårran and Gullan are also featured on Metsähallitus' social media account, where they tell what the forestry expert is up to during her working days. Most recently, they have told the public about activities such as clearing trees felled by storm Jari and restoring forest roads.

- It has been a fun addition to my work to think about what would be good to tell the outside world about it. The aim is to make people more aware of all the work Metsähallitus does.

You can follow Mårran and Gullan and their adventures

On Metsähallitus' Instagram account under the title Forestry Dogs.