"Learning these traditional skills gives you a safety net and makes you feel more confident exploring on your own."
It's a fascinating concept - how to be safe in the forest.
Many of us females who move to Skellefteå do so from large cities, as I did with London.
We don't really have access to forests in cities, so the idea of wandering deep into a forest can be daunting, scary even.
Will I see a bear? Will I get lost? Will I be eaten alive by bugs?
This is where Ann-Kristin Unander comes in, with her women-only Trygg i skogen (Safe and confident in the forest) days.
I met her in the Vitberget woods for a chat.
Why did you start the concept?
– I had the idea for the education and the evenings out when I read about what Women Welcome Skellefteå is all about. To make women feel comfortable and at home in Skellefteå. So why not feel comfortable in the forest, too?
– A lot of women I talk to just don't feel safe venturing into the woods. They worry about running into bears, or getting lost. It's a totally normal fear: I mean, how many times have you seen someone picking berries practically next to their car at the side of the road? That's why our program teaches you how to use a map and compass. Sure, your phone can be handy, but what if there's no signal, your battery dies, or you lose it altogether? Learning these traditional skills gives you a safety net and makes you feel more confident exploring on your own. Investing in a compass is essentially very cheap life insurance.
"A compass is cheap life insurance."
What is your experience of the woods?
– It all began nearly 25 years ago when I first moved to the Skellefteå area. Determined to understand my new home, I embarked on a journey of discovery through local history. I began with Jörn, immersing myself in its stories. But my fascination quickly spread to encompass Skellefteå itself and the vast Norrland region. As I delved deeper into the rich tapestry of these places, a powerful connection to the landscape and its people began to grow.
How did your appreciation of the historical and cultural aspects of the region grow?
–Through my work at the Swedish Forest Agency (Skogsstyrelsen), I gained a profound appreciation for the rich cultural heritage hidden within our vast forests. Ancient monuments and other cultural-historical treasures lie concealed amongst the trees, waiting to be discovered by those who know where to look.
– This realization sparked a desire to share this hidden world with the women of Skellefteå, to train others to spot these often hard-to-see parts of our history.
"We'll also take you on walks that will make you feel more connected to Skellefteå and the area."
So you put these two strands together for Safe and confident in the forest?
– Yes, it's about creating a well-rounded experience. We start with an indoor lecture, which is about having the necessary equipment, the basics of the right of public access (Allemansrätten), online map services and "dangerous animals". We'll teach you the essentials, like navigating with a map and compass, building a fire, and dressing for the elements – no more itchy surprises from bugs or getting soaked through!
– But it's not just about skills. We'll also take you on walks that will make you feel more connected to Skellefteå and the area. By learning practical skills and exploring our surroundings together, the program aims to give women the confidence and comfort they need to head out and enjoy the great outdoors in their new home.
Ann-Kristin Unander's top tip for forest walks: You can use vitmossa, which holds a lot of water, to clean your hands if you need to clean your hands on a forest walk.
Ann-Kristin Unander explains how to use vitmossa, which you can use to clean your hands if you get dirty in the forest.