The Forest of Learning

Over time, city forests have had various educational roles. Thus these forests can be considered as Forests of Learning. This chapter looks at ‘learning’ in a broad sense, including professional education, training and advancement, international exchange of ideas, as well as environmental education and keeping society in touch with nature and forestry.

City forests have been important testing grounds, for example for the introduction of exotic tree species as well as for the development of new approaches and methods in forestry. This role is described in the next section. The section after that considers how those owning or designing city forests have been inspired by woodlands, parks and developments abroad. City forests have also assisted forest managers in improving communication with the urban public. This is one of the roles of the demonstration forests that are also introduced in this chapter. The wider educational roles of city forests are also discussed. They offer a ‘window to the world’ and act as settings for environmental educational of particularly children and youths.

The educational roles of city forests, however, can be developed further, as is discussed in the final section of this chapter. Enhancement of the Forest of Learning can help meet the many challenges forestry and landscape management are facing in a rapidly changing and urbanising society.