Karolina cares for nature in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Vänern Archipelago with Kinnekulle

The combination of lush forest, a flowering mountain, and the vast waters of Lake Vänern makes the area around Kinnekulle unique—so unique that it has been designated a model area for sustainable development and included on the list of biosphere reserves by the United Nations agency UNESCO. Karolina is one of those working to ensure that the natural values of the area are preserved while also being made accessible to the residents of Skaraborg.

Karolina Ringdahl works as a municipal ecologist in Götene Municipality. This means, among other things, that she plans the management of the municipality’s forests and green spaces.

"It’s really rewarding because these are areas that can always continue to develop! We have both recreational goals and conservation goals for almost all of our forests. I strongly believe that everyone benefits from being close to nature, and the municipality’s forests are for our residents to enjoy."

In Götene Municipality, a decision has also been made that everything is done with the next generation in mind, with a strong focus on today’s children.

"Everyone in Götene Municipality should work for the best interests of children. For my part, that has included helping design a new playground. In it, we’ve challenged ideas of what a playground “should” be and integrated it into a forest environment. We want to encourage children to explore the forest, build huts, and run along boardwalks. The earlier children spend time in forest environments, the better!"

Three municipalities – one biosphere reserve

Working long-term is a clear strategy for the municipality. That is also why it is part of the Vänern Archipelago with Kinnekulle Biosphere Reserve.

Götene, together with Mariestad and Lidköping municipalities, forms the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Vänern Archipelago with Kinnekulle. Biosphere reserves are designated by UNESCO. Their main purpose is to preserve biological and cultural diversity, ecosystems, and landscapes, while promoting long-term sustainable societal development. A biosphere reserve should also support knowledge through education and research.

"Nature doesn’t care about municipal boundaries! By working together across a larger geographical area, we can achieve the greatest benefit—for both nature and the people who live here. The biosphere reserve and the geopark have created a meeting place for different initiatives and organizations, making us even better at working together. When we do something good, it spreads faster and benefits more people. One strength of Skaraborg is that nothing is very far away. This proximity makes people see the benefits of collaboration, and everyone wants to take responsibility for the bigger picture. That’s wonderful."

Being designated as a biosphere reserve also signals that the area’s environment has significant biological and cultural value.

"I think those of us who live in Skaraborg can easily become a bit blind to what we have. But when you look around, you quickly realize that we live in an amazing environment! Just seeing all the ancient monuments here shows that a large part of Sweden’s history has its roots here. It’s impressive!"

In addition to the Vänern Archipelago with Kinnekulle Biosphere Reserve, Skaraborg is also home to the Platåbergens Geopark, which is also designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

A biosphere reserve at home

Karolina herself moved to Skaraborg from Värmland.

"But I was in Africa when I met a guy from Lidköping, so you could say it was a bit of a detour!"

Karolina, who didn’t have any fixed plans after her trip to Africa, followed him to Skaraborg and began studying in Skövde.

"I originally planned to become a marine biologist. Then I realized I don’t like saltwater and get seasick very easily, so I focused on ecology and forests instead."

Today, Karolina and her husband Magnus live in a small village in Lidköping Municipality. They have taken over a property from Magnus’s grandparents, and Karolina describes how they almost have their own biosphere reserve on their land, with different environments that allow a wide variety of plants and animals to thrive. The family also has cats, chickens, and bees.

Everyone can contribute to biodiversity

For Karolina, it is clear that nature matters to people in Skaraborg. And as nature changes, more people are becoming interested in and engaged with their local environment.

"More and more people are noticing that invasive plants are crowding out other species. For example, roadsides that once had a variety of flowers are now increasingly dominated by lupins. Invasive species are a problem because they outcompete others. And it won’t be common plants like ground elder or nettles that disappear, but the rarer, more sensitive species. If a certain plant disappears, the insects that depend on it for food may also vanish, which can have major consequences further up the food chain. But shared challenges also unite us! These issues make more people want to contribute to biodiversity, and the more of us who do, the greater the chances of reducing the impact."

So what is Karolina’s best advice for those who want to help?

"Support insects and small creatures! They are the foundation of much in nature, they decompose waste and create new soil, pollinate plants, and serve as food for birds and other animals. We need to understand how dependent we are on them. I’ve even had the idea that it would be fun to create a municipal housing plan for insects - we have one for people, after all!"

"If you have your own garden, it’s actually very easy to support biodiversity. Just stop being so neat! Let parts of your garden grow a bit wild, and leave sticks and stones where they are. Some insects prefer sandy, sunny slopes, while others want damp moss. If you let the areas that are usually difficult in a traditional garden become habitats for insects, you’ve already made a contribution!"

This text has been translated with the help of AI.