SÄVa – forest, meadow and water in Smålatorp

From wetland to hiking trail – a living landscape in Smålatorp

The project in Smålatorp aims to restore, develop and make accessible a cohesive nature and cultural landscape where forest, meadow and water interact. Through collaboration between landowners, the Smålatorp village association and Osby municipality, a place for nature conservation, learning, recreation and local community is created.

The project includes the establishment of a new wetland, restoration of three hay meadows and an older deciduous grove, as well as the construction of approximately one kilometer of accessible walking paths. The paths are designed so that even people with strollers, walkers or wheelchairs can use the area. In addition, a demonstration area for species protection and nature conservation measures with dead wood, birdhouses and examples of sustainable forestry methods will be created. A traditional fence will be built to strengthen the area's cultural-historical identity.

The background is that several valuable nature and cultural environments in the area are today overgrown, difficult to access and fragmented. The project will connect these environments into a whole that both strengthens biodiversity and makes nature more accessible for residents, visitors, associations and educational actors.

An important part of the project is knowledge dissemination. Through excursions, training and a documentary film, it will be shown how nature conservation, restoration and sustainable use can be implemented in practice. The goal is to create a long-term sustainable landscape that serves as a destination, learning environment and source of inspiration for others. At the same time, local collaboration, the attractiveness of the place and engagement in nature and cultural heritage conservation are strengthened.

The board's assessment

Decision date: 2026-03-16
Total selection criteria: 805 points
The board's justification: The project SÄVa – forest, meadow and water in Smålatorp is assessed to have great potential to contribute to Leader Eastern Skåne's strategy for green transformation. Through the restoration of wetlands, hay meadows and deciduous groves, as well as the establishment of accessible paths, a cohesive nature and cultural landscape is developed that strengthens biodiversity, water quality and the ecological functions of the landscape. The project combines practical nature conservation measures with knowledge dissemination through excursions, training and documentation, creating a valuable learning environment for both the local population, landowners and visitors. The clear local anchoring and collaboration between landowners, village associations and the municipality demonstrate good implementation capacity and strong voluntary engagement. Overall, the LAG board assesses that the project is well thought out and has good conditions to create long-term positive effects for the environment, knowledge and rural development. The application is therefore granted support.