New Nature Reserve to Enhance Bat Habitats in Stockholm

Located by Lake Mälaren in southern Bromma, Ålstensängen offers picturesque views of Björnholmen and Hägersten, where early spring flowers like coltsfoot and wild onion bloom and dogs frolic along the shoreline.

The newly designated nature reserve will cover approximately 67.7 hectares, which is roughly equivalent to 135 football fields.

According to local officials, a nature reserve is more resilient to climate change and boasts significant cultural, ecological, and recreational values. Stockholm stands out with its unique blend of water and forests within an urban environment.

The region's rich history is attributed to its strategic location between Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea, as well as its diverse landscape. Human activity in the area dates back to the Bronze Age, and traditional logging practices have not taken place.

As the government struggles to meet climate targets, local leaders are ramping up conservation efforts. This area is deemed crucial for future protection.

The reserve will extend 100 meters into Lake Mälaren, prompting discussions about the activities permitted in the water. Community consultations are planned to gauge public interest and input on the proposed regulations.

Ålstensskogen has effectively functioned as a natural reserve for an extended period. However, with the city's rapid growth, officials emphasize the need to enhance the preservation of urban oases.

Part of the city's management plan for the forest includes combating invasive species, clearing areas around mature trees, and adjusting lighting to protect local bat populations, as bright lights adversely affect wildlife.

For local dog owners, the designation of a nature reserve may pose challenges, as areas currently designated for off-leash dog walking will require pets to be leashed within the reserve due to the sensitive wildlife.

Currently, Stockholm is home to eleven nature reserves and one cultural reserve, with plans for further conservation projects in the pipeline, including initiatives in Majroskogen, Kyrkhamn/Riddersvik, and other locations ahead of the 2026 elections.

Facts About Ålstensskogen

• The nature reserve will include Storskogen and significant portions of Ålstensskogen, Ålstensängen, Solviksängen, and Solviksbadet.
• The concept of establishing a nature reserve in Ålstensskogen originated approximately 100 years ago.
• A city plan approved in 1947 outlined that the area should primarily be preserved as a nature reserve.
• The eastern section of Ålstensängen houses a Viking burial site dating back to the Late Iron Age (550-1050 AD).
• The local government is committed to unprecedented levels of nature conservation in the city.