Since 2017, WildSweden has annually granted the Save the Forest Award, which includes a prize of 10,000 SEK. This award honors young individuals who courageously advocate for biodiversity in Sweden's magnificent forests.
Nominate a Champion!
Who will be our next winner? We invite you to nominate deserving candidates by sending your suggestions to simon@wildsweden.com.
Past Winners
Below you can read the inspiring stories of our previous award winners and see how they have made a significant impact in nature conservation.
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Together, we are taking meaningful action to protect our precious forests.
Nora Sverredal – winner 2024
Nora Sverredal – A True Forest Champion
Nora is a deserving recipient of Wild Sweden’s Save the Forest Award for her unwavering dedication to protecting Sweden’s forests and driving political change.
As the Forest Policy Spokesperson for Fältbiologerna, she works tirelessly alongside the organization’s forestry committee on critical issues such as the Swedish Church's forest management and the government’s forest inquiry.
Fältbiologerna (en: the field biologists) is a Swedish organisation for youth interested in nature studies and environmental protection founded in 1947.
The association works with issues related to environment, sustainability, and nature's rights, and carries out various types of activities such as excursions, inventories, discussion forums, actions and meetings. The association is run by and aimed at young people aged 6 to 25.
Nora also serves on the national board of Fältbiologerna and is actively involved with Miljöpartiet (Sweden’s Green Party) and Naturskyddsföreningen (the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation).
What makes Nora’s work truly remarkable is her courage and perseverance in tackling the complex and often polarizing debates surrounding forestry.
Political advocacy is essential for shaping the long-term solutions our forests need, yet it requires a rare combination of bravery and endurance to take on this challenge.
Nora is a trailblazer, striving to build consensus in an arena where opinions are frequently divided. By finding common ground between forest owners and environmental movements—a perspective she shares in articles like the one published in Land—Nora demonstrates how different viewpoints can come together to create a sustainable future.
Her ability to navigate diverse interests while inspiring others to join the cause makes her an invaluable force in Swedish nature conservation.
Make a donation to support heros like Nora and other conservation efforts to save the forest here.
This Year’s honorable mention in the Save the Forest Award Goes to Martin Axegård
For his dedicated and groundbreaking work in preserving natural forests. Martin has taken unpaid leave from his regular job to voluntarily survey threatened forests and has developed a script that streamlines the process of filing appeals to protect these forests from logging. His special interest in coral fungi, a challenging and under-researched group of species, makes him a unique asset in conservation. He generously shares his expertise, spreading valuable knowledge. Martin’s passion makes him a role model for young conservationists and an invaluable part of the effort to preserve our forests. Thank you Martin!
Linda Johansson - Winner 2023
Announcing the recipient of the Save the Forest Award: Linda, a passionate young biologist hailing from Jämtland! Linda's profound affection for all forest-dwelling species, particularly small kryptogams, has made her a true champion of biodiversity.
From her early years, Linda's connection with nature blossomed, leading her to dedicate almost all her free time to studying various species in diverse forest habitats. With a special focus on lichens and mosses, she explores old growth forests, often accompanied by friends or in solitary communion with nature. Hours spent before the microscope further enrich her understanding.
Yet, Linda's impact extends beyond personal exploration. She fervently shares her knowledge with fellow enthusiasts, igniting a passion for biodiversity among those eager to learn in their leisure time or professionally connected to nature. Linda envisions a world where more individuals discover the joy of exploring biodiversity, encouraging others to engage with Sweden's remarkable NGOs, each specializing in different organism groups.
Linda, congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for your tireless efforts to conserve and celebrate our precious forests!
Sunniva Olsson – Winner 2022
Sunniva Olsson from Uppsala is a film maker with a strong commitment to nature conservation.
She draws attention to nature and its importance through the production of nature and environmental documentaries. She is also mentoring young people in documentary film production with a focus on environmental issues.
- There are so many people who are passionate about nature conservation and do incredibly wonderful things, but often who get far too little credit for it, says Sunniva.
– I got involved in order to achieve changes and to benefit the forest and the environment, as well as spread interest so that more people can and want to get involved. Succeeding in that is always the biggest win.
WildSweden would like to send a big thank you to Sunniva for her important contribution to saving Sweden’s forests.
Anton Björk – winner 2021
Anton Björk from Orsa in Dalarna is this year's winner. Despite his young age he has an impressive knowledge in discovering forests worth protecting.
He has a great interest in fungi and he spends a lot of his free time in the woods with the aim to identify rare species that can help protecting forests with rich biodiversity, primarily in the county of Dalarna.
In an interview with the website Naturesidan, Anton says "Many people are not aware that there is a huge difference between natural forests and planted forests. I hope more people become interested in biodiversity and that more people get out there to identify and report species."
With this award, we want to thank Anton for his efforts to preserve our wild forests. Good luck on your way!
ISAK VAHLSTRÖM – winner 2019
Isak is a young biologist active in northern Sweden who has devoted himself to protect our natural and old growth forests and the species that lives there.
His interest in nature began with birds but he has in recent years taken a big interest in lichen and fungi, many which only can be found in healthy and older forests.
Trough volunteer work on weekends and holidays Isak has, together with other forest activist, helped to educate the swedish public about industrial forestry, the effects it has on our biodiversity and how to save the forests from deforestation.
By conducting field studies to identify threatened species in areas that has been notified for deforestation Isak aims to keep the important forests from being felled. At the same time he is meddling with politicians and government to find solutions that can benefit everyone without putting the forests and its inhabitants in harm's way.
WildSweden would like to send a big thank you to Isak for his important contribution to saving the forests and it’s biodiversity.
The picture is Isak in his natural habitat, an old growth forest, this is during a visit in Siberia. Photo: Aron Dynesius
Helena Björnström – winner 2018
Helena is a fantastic inspiration for people who wants to save natural forests. She is sharing her passion and knowledge not only about mushrooms and lichens, but also about the importance of the biodiversity in our taiga ecosystem.
Helena is a mushroom consultant and dedicated nature guide, for example when she takes visitors for educational walks in Fulufjället National Park in Central Sweden. She is also leading courses in species and nature conservation. And conducting field studies to identify threatened species in forests.
During 2018 she led an expedition called Forskningsresan that aim to teach and inspire people to identify threatened species in the forest. This expedition was a great success much thanks to Helena’s commitment.
We would like to send a big thank you to Helena for her important contribution to save old growth forests and it’s biodiversity.
This is a picture of Helena in a fantastic forest in Leipipir between Gällivare and Nattavaara in the county of Norrbottens in Swedish Lapland.
Rebecka Le Moine - winner 2017
Rebecka is a nature conservation biologist with a strong commitment to environmental issues, especially those related to biodiversity in Sweden’s forests.
Rebecka has organized several demonstrations to highlight the importance of biodiversity. She is also the initiator of the national Biodiversity Day, which is now celebrated annually with hundreds of activities around Sweden.
With this award, we want to thank Rebecka for her commitment to the forest and its biodiversity. Keep up your amazing work! We are convinced that you will change the world.
>> Who do you want to see as a winner next year? Send your nomination to: simon@wildsweden.com <<
