Forest Sciences’ Day 2026 / Download the book of abstracts here (mainly in Finnish)
Place: Viikki Campus of the University of Helsinki, Forest Sciences’ Building, Latokartanonkaari 7 and remote connection with Zoom
Time: Wednesday 21 October 2026, whole day
The traditional Forest Sciences’ Day of the Finnish Society of Forest Science will be organised this year for the 34rd time. This event has become the main forum for Finnish forest scientists and and all those interested in scientific knowledge and its application on forests and forestry to come together and network, with ca 300 participants attending on the spot or remotely.
The theme of this year’s Forest Sciences’ Day is the international dimension of Finnish forest use and forest research. The international dimension of Finland’s forest sector has a longer history than our independence, but its emphases have shifted over the decades, and today it looks quite different from what it did, for example, in the 1990s. In addition to the development of our expertise, global trends have strongly influenced these changes. The Forest Sciences’ Day will explore, among other things, what we can learn from others and what we can contribute to the rest of the world.
Programme
9.00–12.00 Morning plenary session, Auditorium 110
| 9.00–9.10 | Opening of the Forest Sciences’ Day | Vice-chair Jori Uusitalo, Finnish Society of Forest Science |
| 9.10–9.30 | Global market for forest mathematics | Ph.D Tuomo Kauranne, Arbonaut Oy |
| 9.30–9.50 | 40 years of Finnish rainforest research in Amazonia | Professor Ilari Sääksjärvi, University of Turku |
| 9.50–10.10 | Current prospects of pulp investments in South America | Professor Markus Kröger, University of Helsinki |
| 10.10–10.40 | Coffee Break | |
| 10.40–11.00 | Central European lessons to Finnish silviculture: what will be the effects of changing climate and continuous-cover forestry | Professor Pasi Rautio, Natural Resources Institute Finland |
| 11.00–11.20 | The importance of science communication and environmental education in the changing world | Professor Carita Lindstedt-Kareksela, University of Helsinki |
| 11.20–12.00 | Common discussion | Morning speakers |
13.15–16.00 Afternoon parallel sessions
| Aihe | Järjestäjä | Yhteyshenkilö |
| Finnish forest biodiversity and research in a global context (Seminar room 108) | Forest Biology Club | Hannes Pasanen (hannes . pasanen () uef . fi) |
| Global perspectives in forest economics research (Seminar room 107) | Forest Economist Club | Aino Assmuth (aino . assmuth () luke . fi) |
| Globalization in Forest Management (Seminar room 106) | Forest Management Club | Heli Viiri (heli . viiri () upm . com) Antti Sipilä (antti . sipila () hamk . fi) |
| Values, agency and temporal and spatial dimensions: the influence of human-forest relationships in the global world (Seminar room 105) | Human-Forest Relationship Research Club | Jenni Simkin (jenni . simkin () luke.fi) Panu Runko (panu . runko () luke . fi) |
| International Activities of Finnish Forest Mensuration Specialists in the 2020s (Seminar room 104) | Forest Mensuration Club | Sanna Sirparanta (sanna . sirparanta () metsakeskus . fi) |
| Wood procurement in transition: sustainability challenges and regulatory change (Seminar room 540) | Forest Technology Club | Tuomas Niinistö (tuomas . niinisto () luke . fi) |
6.15–17.00 Afternoon plenary session, Auditorium 108
- Recognitions of the Society
- Silva Fennica – 60 years of regular scientific publishing; Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Annamari Laurén
- The connection between science and art, presentation with photos; D.Sc. (Agr. & For.) Saara Lilja, Emergenssi Oy
- Final words of Forest Sciences’ Day
17.15–20.00 Buffet dinner of Forest Sciences’ day
Restaurant Viikuna, Building EE of Viikki Campus, Agnes Sjöbergin katu 2
| Organising Committee: Chair: Jori Uusitalo, Helsingin yliopisto / Vice-Chair of the Finnish Society of Forest Science, jori . uusitalo () helsinki . fi Forest Biology Club: Hannes Pasanen, Itä-Suomen yliopisto, hannes . pasanen () uef . fi Forest Economist Club: Anu Laakkonen, Itä-Suomen yliopisto, anu . laakkonen () uef . fi Forest Management Club: Heli Viiri, UPM Metsä, heli . viiri () upm . com and Antti Sipilä Hämeen ammattikorkeakoulu – HAMK, antti . sipila () hamk.fi Human-Forest Relationship Research Club: Jenni Simkin, Luonnonvarakeskus, jenni . simkin () luke . fi and Panu Runko, Luonnonvarakeskus, panu . runko () luke . fi Forest Mensuration Club: Sanna Sirparanta, Suomen metsäkeskus, sanna . sirparanta () metsakeskus . fi Forest Technology Club: Tuomas Niinistö, Luonnonvarakeskus, tuomas . niinisto () luke . fi and Kari Väätäinen, Luonnonvarakeskus, kari . vaatainen () luke . fi Secretary: Reija Haapanen, Suomen Metsätieteellinen Seura Tel. + 358 44 558 1199, e-mail reija . haapanen () metsatiede . org |
Metsämiesten Säätiö Foundation has recognised Forest Sciences’ Day worth of funding.