STOCKHOLM, Sweden—Swedes have adopted 2009 as the Year of Nature to mark the 100-year jubilee of the first legislation passed on the protection of nature.
Authorities hope to generate public interest for nature by involving voluntary organizations in arranging activities. Some planned include ice climbing in Abisko, a far northern village of Sweden, bird safaris in the archipelago of Stockholm, holding more guided tours at national parks, and organizing public seminars about environmental protection.
The Swedish Tourist Association engaged in the campaign says more people should go out to experience nature with their own senses, as personal experience is important for acquiring knowledge, understanding and involvement, they say.
