The popularity of outdoor recreation has increased, and its importance for people’s health and well-being is widely recognized. As visitor numbers grow and the user base becomes more diverse, there is an increasing need for better knowledge about how parks and natural areas are used, in order to plan and develop areas and services in a sustainable and resource-efficient way. Digital footprints generated through the use of mobile applications can complement traditional visitor monitoring. They offer new opportunities to produce up-to-date and diverse information on outdoor recreation and the activities of different user groups.

The event presents current examples of outdoor recreation research that utilize digital footprints. A leading researcher in the field, Spencer Wood from the University of Washington, visiting Helsinki, will provide an international perspective on monitoring outdoor recreation. The panel discussion will examine the future of outdoor recreation and consider, from the perspectives of different organizations, what kinds of information and data are needed to support decision-making and sustainable recreation. The discussion will focus particularly on the potential of digital footprints and mobile phone data as part of future visitor monitoring.

The event is aimed especially at experts, professionals, and researchers working with natural areas, outdoor recreation, or large digital datasets. All those interested in the topic are welcome to attend.

Coffee will be served at the event.

The event livestream can also be followed remotely at: (TBA)

The main language of the event is Finnish. Spencer Wood’s presentation will be in English.

Programme 13:00–15:00

• Understanding the use of parks and natural areas through digital footprints – Research from Finland, Tuuli Toivonen

• Characterizing public land recreation in the United States, Spencer Wood

• Panel discussion: How can visitor monitoring be developed to meet future needs?

Speakers

Spencer Wood

Spencer Wood is a Principal Research Scientist and Data Science Fellow at the University of Washington, where he also serves as an Affiliate Assistant Professor in the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences and Director of the UW Outdoor R&D Lab. He is a Senior Fellow with the Natural Capital Project at Stanford University and holds multiple roles across interdisciplinary research initiatives.

Spencer is an interdisciplinary scientist whose work spans ecology, sustainability, economics, and computer science, with research focusing on topics such as outdoor recreation, public land management, and sustainable development. Since 2020, he has been recognized by Web of Science as a Highly Cited Researcher, placing him among the top 1% of multidisciplinary scientists globally. His work emphasizes real-world applications, using data and quantitative methods to support policy and management decisions through close collaboration with public, private, and non-profit partners.

escience.washington.edu/member/spencer-wood/

Tuuli Toivonen

Professor of Geoinformatics, University of Helsinki
Tuuli Toivonen – University of Helsinki

Panel discussion participants

• Henrik Jansson, Director of Nature Services, Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland

• Maria Jaakkola, Development Manager, City of Helsinki

• Miliza Malmelin, Senior Specialist, Ministry of the Environment

• Sini Veuro, Senior Planner, Uuvi / Uusimaa Recreation Area Association

The event is organized by the Digital Geography Lab.

The Digital Geography Lab is a multidisciplinary research group at the Department of Geosciences and Geography at the University of Helsinki. The group studies human movement from natural areas to cities and across different spatial scales, from local to global. Its aim is to understand interactions between people, as well as between people and nature, and how these interactions change. The perspective is geographical and often methodological: the group is internationally recognized particularly for its research on digital footprints.