Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services Protecting ’s natural treasures

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Natural Heritage Services brings well-being throughout Finland

A close relationship with nature is an military use. Vallisaari will become an essential part of the Finnish identity. A attraction for tourists and local residents ublic

country’s national parks constitute inter- p alongside the nearby World Heritage Site, e nationally important natural heritage fortress of Suomenlinna. – places that we can be proud of, and 2013 was also a busy and productive show off to our visitors. Our parks have year for Natural Heritage Services in our been created both to conserve nature more established fields. We prepared and to benefit people, by providing reports for the Ministry of the Environ- amenities that promote health, enhance ment about prospects for setting up well-being and strengthen our respect new national parks. Hunters and fishers

for nature and our links with nature. ffice of the President of the R have been able to use our webservice to purchase permits more easily than ever

he increasing unfamiliarity of urban Photo: O before. We have also expanded our work residents with nature, and particu- evaluating the ecological state of the T larly the gradual loss of a connec- The new Finnish Nature Centre Haltia was Baltic Sea, surveying extensive areas of tion with nature evident among children officially opened by the President of Finland the sea bed. Progress has also been made and young people in the area, Sauli Niinistö and his wife Jenni Haukio. on major EU-funded projects promoting are worrying social trends. These trends natural habitat management, the protec- are already reflected in increasing mental The health benefits and well-being tion of peatlands, the conservation of the health problems and lifestyle-related ill- people can gain from nature have also endangered Saimaa ringed seal, and cross- nesses. We at Metsähallitus Natural Herit- been a key element of our other activities border co-operation with Russia. These age Services believe that the opening of over the last year. Two extensive projects EU-funded projects all benefit the local the new Finnish Nature Centre Haltia last have indicated promisingly that outdoor economy as well as nature. year represents a significant milestone activities in natural settings can signifi- As the social impact of our work in our efforts to promote environmental cantly help to improve the well-being of expands we look forward to the future education as well as nature conservation. groups such as immigrants and young with confidence and Haltia’s nature school has since been people facing the risk of marginalisation. enthusiasm. We feel full of activity. Visiting Haltia gives all Last year at Natural Heritage Services privileged to work in children a chance to experience Finland’s we also continued to expand our work an organisation that natural wonders. managing Finland’s cultural heritage. By enhances well-being With its award-winning unique wooden the end of the year we prepared to take across Finland. Jari Kostet Jari architecture Haltia has filled a significant over the running of 29 significant cultural

gap in the amenities available for tourism, sites and attractions, such as castle ruins, Photo: leisure activities and conferences in the from the National Board of Antiquities. At Helsinki region. At the same time Haltia the same time we have started to develop has attracted more clients and income for the islands of Vallisaari, off Helsinki, and the many enterprises offering activities in Örö, in the Archipelago Sea, for future Rauno Väisänen, Director, and around nearby National Park. visitors. These islands were formerly in Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services

Editors: Päivi Rosqvist, Tiina GrahnTranslation: Fran WeaverLayout: Marianne KatainenMetsähallitus, Natural Heritage serviceswww.metsa.fi www.outdoors.fiCover: Hiidenportti National Park’s scenic attractions include2 a rugged gorge and beautiful forest-fringed lakes. Photo: Jani Mustonen / Vastavalo.1 000 copiesisbn 978-952-295-051-2 (Printed)978-952-295-052-9 (Pdf)Erweko Oy, Helsinki 2014. ­

Haltia represents the start of a new age for wood construction in Finland as the first major public building to be made totally out of solid-wood elements. Photo: Metsähallitus /

Mika Huisman

Haltia – a gateway to Finland’s natural treasures

Visitors to the Finnish Nature Centre Until now there had been no major attrac- a restaurant, meeting facilities, a souvenir Haltia experience the best of Finland’s tion in the Helsinki area where visitors shop and nature school facilities. The natural scene from our windswept could learn about nature in Finland. centre is run by Metsähallitus Natural arctic fells to the depths of our famous Haltia’s Metropolitan Green Belt exhi- Heritage Services using funding from the lakes. Haltia was opened on 31st May bition features natural attractions within Ministry of the Environment. Activities 2013 in , on the fringes of Nuuksio easy reach of Helsinki. are organised and funded in partnership National Park. By the end of the year the The centre’s architecture complements with the local authorities from Espoo, centre had welcomed 95,000 visitors. this focus on nature. Haltia’s unique Helsinki, Vantaa, Kauniainen, wooden building, designed by Rainer and , as well as the training institute ore than half of the turnover of Mahlamäki, is worth a visit in itself. Green Solvalla Nedre. Finland’s tourism sector comes thinking is clearly evident in the building Haltia additionally aims to promote M from the Helsinki area, and design, which utilises renewable energy nature tourism throughout Finland, with more than half of Finland’s foreign visitors sources including solar energy and ambi- an emphasis on national parks and their come here because of Finland’s nature. ent heat from the ground. Haltia also has nearby resorts.

3 Studies show that even brief outdoor recreational activity can bring significant health benefits. offers splendid settings for a range of activities. Photo: Metsähallitus / Téa Karvinen

shared with the local authorities around Finland. The designs for the facilities we Encouraging healthy provide along hiking routes are freely available on our website. The national Fit for Life programme last year granted outdoor activities Natural Heritage Services an award for leading the way in enhancing recreational Getting people out enjoying activities facilities. in natural settings can significantly On a trip out into the forest Well-designed new facilities can attract enhance public health and well-being. In you’re affected by very basic people who have never really experienced 2013 Natural Heritage Services resolved things. Being free from hurry, natural settings before, as well as groups to intensify efforts to encourage and using a suitable level of physi- who will particularly bene­fit from outdoor enable as many people as possible to cal effort and sharing experi- recreation. enjoy Finland’s natural amenities and ences with others can give In the Oulu region our OpenAir related services. people great peace of mind and project continued to systematically mental well-being. build up amenities for outdoor activities he facilities we provide at Finland’s Jari Korkalainen in re­creation areas. The Air part of the Metsäkartano Youth and Wilderness Centre finest natural attractions provide a project (Activation, Interaction, Recrea- T good basis for developing outdoor tion) has devised ways for natural areas to recreation, as well as vital amenities for to nature tourism and well-being. They be used to promote occupational health, enterprises offering activities related also establish good practices that can be prevent marginalisation, and achieve

4 educational goals. The project’s Open section (Oulu Parks – Enjoying Nature) Recent findings indicate that from a public health viewpoint it has established a network of natural and would be particularly important and cost-effective to get the most recreation areas, and devised ways to inactive people to exercise more. There’s no need to make them do evaluate the health benefits people derive strenuous sports, but they do need to sit around less and improve from outdoor recreation. their condition by enjoying more everyday activity. This message – When we get people out into is good news for us who might find typical recommendations on natural settings we aim to create a healthy exercise too daunting. For your health – and the economy relaxed, pressure-free and motivating – it’s effective just to get out into the forest for a walk! atmosphere, explains project manager Raija Korpelainen, Professor of Health Exercise, University of Oulu Riikka Mansikkaviita. The project’s main partners include local municipalities, Oulu Deaconess service-providers including activity firms, settings can encourage youngsters to Institute and Oulu University. The project a rehabilitation institute, local authorities persevere with their studies. receives funding from the European Social and learning institutions. The project’s – Various small tasks helped the young Fund and the European Regional Develop- funds largely come from the European people to discover good things about ment Fund. Social Fund. themselves and others, says careers Moved by Nature has already activated guidance officer Tarja Rissanen of Savo Nature as a source of groups including trade school students, Vocational College, who applies adventure inspiration and pleasure who found Tiilikkajärvi National Park a learning methods in her work. – Expe- The new project Moved by Nature, relaxing setting for enjoying new activities riences enjoyed in a safe and trusted launched in Northern Savo and North together. Quitting studies is a significant atmosphere can help prepare them for Karelia, aims to develop well-being ser- risk factor that can lead to the marginali- everyday challenges. vices linked to natural settings. Metsähal- sation of young people. Sharing experi- litus has brought together a group of ences with their schoolmates in natural Out into the forest on doctor’s orders According to a group of well-being experts who met at a Moved by Nature seminar held at Haltia, nature evidently increases happiness, reduces the sense of loneli- ness, encourages people to be active, and reduces vulnerability to type 2 diabetes. The positive physiological reactions produced by natural environments, such as reductions in pulse rates, blood pres- sure and stress hormones, are rapidly observable. This is also reflected in mood changes, making even a brief “immersion” in a natural setting like a forest worth- while. – Getting out and about in natural set- tings can ease a wide range of problems related to issues from stress and mental health to weight, sleeplessness and motor It is increasingly important to provide suitable trails and other facilities designed with Finland’s skills, explains Moved by Nature project ageing population in mind. Public investments in such services are repaid in public health manager Kati Vähäsarja of Metsähallitus improvements. Photo: Metsähallitus / Minna Koramo. Natural Heritage Services.

5 is also becoming increasingly popular, attracting 1.6 million hits over the year. Since the beginning of 2013 hunters and fishers have been able to use the website Eräluvat.fi to purchase permits for fishing, hunting and snowmobiling from Metsähallitus. The website also features places to go hunting and fishing, explains permit procedures, and describes how we manage state-owned hunting lands and fishing waters to provide valuable ameni- ties for outdoor recreation. The site has already proved popular, attracting some 400,000 users. Permit-holders were also encouraged to send more feedback about their fishing catches and hunting bags. Feedback was obtained from a record high of 40% of holders of permits for the hunt- ing of smaller game animals and birds. Our newest website is a virtual guide to the Bothian Sea at www.selkameri.fi, Sharing experiences in natural settings like Pallas–Ylläs National Park can also strengthen social offering information and impressions to networks when people enjoy outdoor activities together with their friends and relatives. encourage people to explore Finland’s o Photo: Metsähallitus / Seija Olkkonen newest national park. Beautiful 360 panoramic photographs of the park are linked to informative texts and audio soundscapes. Links to local firms provid- Enjoying outdoor ing services for visitors are also included. This free guide has been produced in col- laboration with local municipalities as an adventures with friends EU-funded project.

Natural Heritage Services and the Martha Organisation encouraged people to get outdoors with their friends. The campaign urged people to go fishing, mushroom- gathering or berry-picking and invite a friend along through Facebook. Tips passed You can rediscover nature on through social media have encouraged many people to attend outdoor events, every day or make completely starting in early summer when schoolchildren were able to go fishing for free and new discoveries at any time. learn how to prepare delicious fish dishes. Our natural settings are open to everyone all year round. he largest special event was the Our Outdoors.fi website is an excellent They’re worth protecting every first ever annual Finnish Nature resource for groups of friends looking for day of the year, and also well T Day, on 31st August, designated as a a great place for an outing. It covers some worth celebrating annually on day to celebrate Finland’s unique natural 250 natural areas managed by Metsähal- the last Saturday in August. assets. The day was blessed with fine litus. More than a million users visited the weather, and a total of 62 events organ- site last year. More detailed maps of des- Jenni Haukio Finland’s First Lady ised around the country attracted more tinations can be viewed and printed using Patroness of Finnish Nature Day than 9,000 enthusiastic participants. the Excursionmap.fi web service, which

6 Dedicated to protecting wildlife

Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services waters, walking on thin ice to survey seal success rates were normal for white-tailed surveys the habitats of valued species in dens, or climbing high trees to examine eagles and peregrine falcons but poor for forests, in traditional agricultural envi- eagles’ nests. golden eagles. ronments, on the arctic fells of Lapland Metsähallitus is responsible for the – The cold spring and food shortages and beneath the waves. Our findings conservation of several threatened bird are probably the main factors explain- help us to plan land use and nature species in Finland. White-backed wood- ing why we only found 113 golden eagle conservation measures effectively. peckers bred well again, with more than fledglings of suitable age for ringing, 100 nests observed. With invaluable help compared to much better figures for 2012 uring 2013 we increased aware- from dozens of volunteer birdwatchers when we ringed 180 eaglets, explains our ness of endangered species and our staff again conducted annual surveys veteran eagle expert Tuomo Ollila. The D their conservation by highlighting of the territories of peregrine falcons, eagles need to be monitored to calculate on a monthly basis a single species and gyrfalcons, golden eagles and white-tailed the compensation paid to local reindeer- one of our staff whose work helps pro- eagles. Finland’s very small gyrfalcon herders working in eagle territories, as tect the species. This campaign showed population suffered due to low numbers well as for conservation reasons. the great efforts our dedicated conser- of willow grouse, their main prey species, The volunteers and their representa- vation biologists go to, diving in cold and only produced six fledglings. Breeding tive Jarmo Ahtinen, a veteran golden eagle

Metsähallitus’s dedicated conservation biologists go to great lengths to collect ecological data. Panu Oulasvirta is leading an international project surveying the habitats of endangered freshwater pearl mussels in Northern Fennoscandia. Photo: Panu Oulasvirta.

7 surveyor, were given our special award as aa between Metsähallitus and local fisheries Volunteer Naturalists of the Year 2013. to enhance the supervision of fishing. A new trial supervision scheme was m Pirtti u

EU support for the protection kk launched in private hunting lands in of the Saimaa ringed seal Mar Northern Finland. Metsähallitus’s rangers To obtain information on the breed- patrolled these areas together with locally ing success of the critically endangered Monitoring and Photo: appointed game management association Saimaa ringed seal, our surveyors must protecting trout stocks representatives. Earlier our rangers had examine the seals’ breeding dens after the The River Oulankajoki and its tributaries only patrolled state-owned lands. mothers and pups leave them during the are home to a genetically unique popula- A joint borderlands task force of various spring thaw. The seal experts and their tion of migratory brown trout which has authorities was set up to co-ordinate the volunteer assistants bravely get out onto recently declined alarmingly. The fish are monitoring of areas in Eastern and Central the melting ice of the frozen lake, backed affected by conditions in their spawning Finland. Metsähallitus’s 11 game and up with careful safety planning and equip- waters and in rivers where young fish live fisheries wardens were involved in a total ment including a hydrocopter. in Finland, but they also need suitable of 352 collaborative actions together with – The total Saimaa seal population still conditions to enable them to grow to other officials, and several serious hunting stands at just over 300 individuals, with maturity in lakes downstream in Russia. offences were investigated. 62 pups born in 2013. We hope to help the The EU is funding a project that aims seals’ numbers to rise to 400 by 2025. This to organise the future collaborative Finn- Best practices for the ecological is considered only the bare minimum size ish-Russian management of this unique restoration of peatlands for a viable population, report senior advi- fish population so that fish numbers will We published an extensive handbook for sor Tero Sipilä and conservation biologist rise to levels where recreational fishing the ecological restoration of drained peat- Tuomo Kokkonen, who have dedicated can be truly sustainable. lands, reflecting Finland’s pioneering role their working lives to the conservation of in restoring boreal forest and peatland these unique lake seals. habitats and re-establishing their natu- The annual spring-early summer ban including observance of recently revised ral features and species. During 2014 an on the use of fishing nets that endanger fishing regulations. To assist our wardens English-language version of the handbook young seals was largely observed. By the we hired extra seasonal staff. In NE Fin- will be published featuring best peatland autumn a total of 29 dead Saimaa ringed land our professional rangers monitored restoration practices from Finland. seals were found, however, including 5 fishing in both state-owned and private – So far we have restored hydrological that had drowned in fishing nets and 11 waters under a special agreement made conditions in peatland sites in Finnish pro- pups that had died in their dens. A new project was launched in 2013 to enhance the lake seals’ conservation with the help of the largest single sum granted to a Finnish project by the EU LIFE programme, which will provide almost four million euros towards the project’s estimated total budget of 5.26 million euros. Enhanced monitoring of hunting lands and fishing waters In addition to overseeing the fishing restrictions imposed to protect Lake Saimaa’s seals, our rangers and wardens The wild forest reindeer, the rare wild cousin of the domesticated reindeer of Lapland, still survives in monitored many other issues during 2013, undisturbed parts of Finland including Salamajärvi National Park. Photo: Metsähallitus / Juha Sahlgren

8 We are using EU funding to restore rare ecosystems like traditional agricultural habitats. Trees have been cleared and cattle will be put out to graze.

Photo: Metsähallitus / Jari Kostet

tected areas with a total area of 20,000 found in Pallas–Yllästunturi National Park, important when planning decisions are hectares, says conservation biologist while a new moss was discovered in Urho made that could directly or indirectly Maarit Similä. – We still need to restore Kekkonen National Park, and just south of affect these waters, says conservation a further 17,000 hectares to improve the the park the fungus gnat species Boletina biologist Anu Riihimäki. biodiversity of our peatlands. hymenophalloides was observed for the Peatland restoration involves blocking first time in Europe. Valuable contributions drainage ditches, building dams and peat In Central Finland, our conservation from volunteers embankments to redirect water flows, biologist Teemu Rintala made a valu- During the summer of 2013 more than 60 and removing trees that have grown able discovery when he observed Pytho voluntary events for people keen to help on drained sites. Produced by a team of kolwensis, an endangered beetle found us manage natural areas were held in experts, the new handbook compiles the only in old-growth spruce forests. This national parks and other protected areas. lessons learnt over the last 25 years from demanding beetle is a good indicator of Volunteer nature-lovers regularly help practical experiences. conditions in forest habitats. Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services to The wide-ranging Boreal Peatland EU We have also been conducting ecologi- manage protected areas and the habitats LIFE Project, led by Metsähallitus Natural cal surveys of Finland’s marine waters. of threatened species. Heritage Services, also produced educa- During 2014 data was compiled on species Managing traditional agricultural habi- tional materials for schoolchildren. and conditions observed on the sea bed tats such as manually mown meadows in coastal waters all the way from the requires considerable expertise in tradi- New species found by surveyors Eastern Gulf of Finland to the Bothnian tional skills. In a special series of Senior Ecological surveys conducted in Lapland Bay. – This data will help us to identify Ranger events held in national parks again led to surprising discoveries. A fun- the special features of different parts of around Finland, older people with valuable gus never observed in Finland before was Finland’s coastal waters, which will be knowledge about traditional farmwork

9 The former military island of Vallisaari (foreground) is located near Helsinki’s famous Suomenlinna island fortress, a World Heritage Site. Vallisaari is now being developed into an attractive destination for visitors interested in nature and history. Photo: Metsähallitus /

Tuomo Häyrinen

methods were enlisted to train people Our NGO partners – notably including date back to periods ranging from the from younger generations in these impor- WWF Finland, regional branches of the Stone Age to the 1960s. tant skills. These events, organised together Finnish Association for Nature Conserva- From the beginning of 2014 Natural with local pensioners’ associations, formed tion, Keep Lapland Tidy and local associa- Heritage Services will have 29 new part of our Species-rich EU LIFE Project, tions for friends of our national parks cultural heritage sites to manage, includ- through which traditional agricultural habi- – play a vital role in helping us to organise ing castle ruins and the island fortress tats are being managed in 59 sites. activities for volunteers. of Svartholm in Loviisa. The areas that The Arkipelagia association, for friends we manage already include over 300 of the Archipelago National Park, helps us protected buildings and more than 2,300 NATURE CONSERVATION to protect the natural and cultural herit- ancient sites. IN NUMBERS 2013 age of this unique region. A commemo- We have also taken over several ● 2,212 hectares of forest and mire rative event was organised in 2013 to significant sites from Finland’s defence habitats restored mark the park’s 30th anniversary. A new forces. The two islands of Vallisaari and ● 4,137 hectares of traditional agricultural friends association was established for the Kuninkaansaari, which lie off Helsinki biotopes managed Bothnian Sea National Park, aiming to help near the island fortress of Suomenlinna, a ● 101,665 hectares of terrestrial biotopes us manage and develop the park with the Unesco World Heritage Site, are interna- surveyed help of volunteers. tionally significant for their military his- ● underwater biotopes surveyed by tory and nature. Restoration work is being videocameras at 9,365 chekpoints New care and recreational use planned to give visitors safe access to the ● species surveyed on 3,527 hectares for cultural heritage areas of greatest interest while protecting ● 2,380 ancient cultural heritage sites and In addition to managing natural areas the islands’ valuable natural features. 312 protected buildings in care of NHS Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services The island of Örö in the Archipelago looks after sites of historic interest which Sea, which served as a military base for a

10 century, will also be developed as a centre ment for the inmates of open prisons. The for nature tourism, and become part of WORKING FOR NATURE superintendent of Laukaa prison Tuula our Archipelago National Park in 2015. The Half or our employees work in Southern Tarvainen emphasises that the experience park already brings almost four million Finland, a quarter work for our Ostro- gained through such projects is of great euros a year to the local economy, and the bothnia regional unit and a quarter work benefit to convicts preparing to return to development of Örö will enable co-oper- in Finnish Lapland. The total work input working life. ation with local tourism service providers over the year amounted to 578 person- to be expanded. years. We continued to provide work for Participatory planning inmates from open prisons, amounting to Metsähallitus conducts land use planning Managing architectural 45 person-years. for the areas we administer. This planning heritage – many hands Volunteers contribute greatly to our is typically realised through collaboration make light work nature conservation work. In 2013 our vol- with many other stakeholders, including We are always keen to find new ways to unteers worked a total of 18 person-years. local residents. restore and maintain valuable old build- Information and opinions about the ings within the protected areas. In addi- Archipelago National Park have been tion to their historical importance such compiled through a map-based inter- buildings are often popular attractions. the Urho Kekkonen National Park in NE net survey. Respondents were asked to An international team of volunteers Lapland restoration work has been done mark on the map places and landscapes has helped us to repair an old fisherman’s on a nearby Skolt Sámi homestead, as that they value, and to suggest possible cottage in the Bothnian Sea National Park. part of the wider ABCGheritage Project. actions. Respondents specified more than We have also been planning to maintain Led by Metsähallitus and involving ten 2,000 locations in all. The survey was many unique cultural heritage sites in partner organisations based across Finn- jointly conducted by Metsähallitus and Finnish Lapland together with various ish, Norwegian and Russian Lapland, this the University of Turku, and published partners. project aims to increase the use of nature though the Harava service. Funded by the The Kultala Gold Village in Lapland reserves in border regions of Northern Ministry of the Environment, this service dates back to the gold rush in the 1870s Lapland for sustainable nature tourism. aims to give citizens and organisations when it was built for official supervisors. In Pyhä-Häkki National Park, for improved opportunities to shape planning This popular attraction in the Hammas- instance, a new sauna has been built for decisions that will affect their surround- tunturi Wildnerness Area has now been visitors to rent. Metsähallitus has a long ings. Adding the findings of more conven- restored with the help of EU funding. In record of providing beneficial employ- tional visitor surveys and interviews to such GIS data can give us a better picture than ever of visitors’ needs and desires for specific localities. Finland appointed to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee Our proposals for hiking routes and Finland will be a member of Unesco’s World Heritage Committee for the facilities for the Sipoonkorpi National Park, next four years. Finland’s representatives in the committee are the Direc- established in 2011, were made avail- tor of Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services Rauno Väisänen, and Direc- able for public comment in summer by tor General of the National Board of Antiquities Juhani Kostet. means of the Pehmo-GIS map service. This The committee’s main tasks are to decide which new cultural and natu- enabled respondents to mark on the map ral heritage sites should be added to the world heritage list each year. The choice of new sites specific places for which they had ideas is of great interest, not least because world heritage site status is a major asset when pro- or wishes. The survey responses were moting tourism. used during the finalisation of the park’s Finland’s seven world heritage sites include six cultural sites and one natural site: the management plan. Kvarken Archipelago, which is managed by Metsähallitus. Together with its partner world heritage site Sweden’s High Coast the Kvarken Archipelago contains unique geological fea- tures associated with land uplift and emergent coasts.

11 A. This park has many natural harbours ideal for mooring your boat or canoe. Its islands can be explored on day-trip cruises that start just over an hour’s drive from Helsinki. The park’s larger islands have forest trails and cultural landscapes typical of southernmost Finland.

C. The wild wooded hills of this Northern Ostrobothnian Which Finnish park provide great settings for many activities. In winter visitors can explore magical snow-covered forests on skis or snowshoes. In summer mountain bikers can pedal up National Park? Answers on p. 13. hill and down dale along specially designated routes.

B. This geological wonder took many millions of years to form. Places formerly sacred to the indigenous Sámi people still enchant travellers today. Deep gorges and high fell-tops can be seen on a day-long hike or toured on a longer trek.

12 75 years of national parks Managing our natural areas – for nature and people in 2014 Finland’s national parks preserve our most beautiful We cherish Finland’s natural heritage by effectively managing and ecologically valuable natural attractions, and our national parks, cultural heritage sites and sustainable fish make them freely accessible to everyone. Our first and game stocks. Below are examples of actions we plan to national parks were established in 1938 at Pallastun- realise during 2014: turi and Pyhätunturi. Metsähallitus’s Natural Heritage Services unit manages all of Finland’s national parks Increasing the value of our national heritage and about 500 other protected areas. ● We will start preparing for the founding of two new national parks at Teijo and Etelä-Konnevesi. e provide a wide range of services and ameni- ● New measures to assess the impacts of our nature ties for people who enjoy outdoor recrea- conservation work will be taken into use. W tion in natural settings, including more than ● We will continue to plan and realise developments on the 7,000 kilometres of marked trails and about 3,000 islands of Vallisaari and Kuninkaansaari off Helsinki. maintained picnic sites and approximately 30 customer service points, as well as extensive websites with associ- Recreational and well-being benefits ated map services. These well-planned services make it from natural areas easy for people to discover and enjoy Finland’s natural ● Our Outdoors.fi website will be revamped to make it easier treasures. In 2013 our natural areas welcomed a total for users to find attractive destinations. of some 5.4 million visitors, including almost 2.3 million ● We will devise indicators to evaluate the health and well-being visits to our 37 national parks benefits enjoyed by people visiting our national parks. Our facilities represent vital resources for firms who ● We will further improve amenities and information provide nature tourism services around Finland. National to promote recreational fishing around Finland. parks are particularly significant economic assets in this respect. Research has shown that every euro invested Partnerships to promote increasing tourism by the government in our parks adds an average of ten ● We will improve our services designed to benefit euros to local economies through visitors’ spending. our Russian visitors. In 2013 our parks boosted local economies providing ● New measures identifying the economic benefits of our an estimated total income of 115.5 million euros and services for hunters and fishers will be taken into use. employment amounting to 1,484 person years. ● We will reinforce our position as a significant actor in tourism Visitor numbers were highest in Pallas–Yllästunturi in the Helsinki region. as in previous years. Visitor numbers in Nuuksio National Park rose by an impressive 43% to 267,400. Looking to the future National parks are set up both to protect nature and ● We will provide employment for about 150 jobless to benefit people. During 2013 we prepared reports for young people. the Ministry of the Environment assessing opportunities ● A new information system compiling useful geographical to establish four new national parks at Teijo (in Salo), and ecological data will be taken into use. Etelä-Konnevesi (in Central Finland & Northern Savo), ● Using scenarios we will systematically assess the threats, Olvassuo (in Northern Ostrobothnia & Kainuu) and in opportunities and success factors likely to shape our future work.

the High Fells of Käsivarsi in NW Lapland.

sinen. k ira A aara S Photo: . k Par ational N yöte S . C

. Photo: Metsähallitus / Juha Paso. Juha / Metsähallitus Photo: . k Par ational N uosto L Pyhä– . B

. Photo:Metsähallitus / Jari Kostet Jari / Photo:Metsähallitus . k Par ational N o g ela p rchi A enäs Ek . A

13 Natural Heritage Services’ finances in 2013 Metsähallitus’s public administration functions Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services’ activities are largely Metsähallitus is a state-owned enterprise that provides services financed from the national government budget. Additional income related to natural resources. Metsähallitus’s activities are divided is obtained from fees paid for hunting and fishing permits, and rents. into commercial operations (including forestry and real estate deals) and the public administration services provided by Natural Heritage Ministry of Environment Services (including nature conservation, hunting and fishing services . mil. and the provision of free facilities for outdoor recreation). The public Income . mil. services are largely financed from the national government budget.

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry . mil. Our areas in numbers 2013 The administration of lands and waters owned by the Finnish State Ministry of (which amount to about a third of the country’s total area) has been Employment and the Economy . mil. placed in the care of Metsähallitus. ● Metsähallitus administers areas with a total extent of 125,000 Ministry of Justice square kilometres, including 91,000 sq km of state-owned land and . mil. 34,000 sq km of state-owned waters. European Union . mil. ● Of these totals Natural Heritage Services manages 39,000 sq km of land and 32,000 sq km of waters (totaling 71,000 sq km), including: Other funding . mil. – 37 national parks, 19 strict nature reserves, and about 500 other nature reserves (together totaling 17,000 sq km) Total: . mil.  – 12 wilderness areas (with a total extent of 15,000 sq km)

organisation of Natural Heritage Services 1.1. 2014

STEERING UNITS: DIRECTOR Rauno Väisänen ADMINISTRATION Deputy Director Marja-Liisa Hintsanen

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS A.i. Director Arto Ahokumpu SOUTHERN FINLAND OSTROBOTHNIA LAPLAND

COMMUNICATIONS A.i. Regional Director A.i. Regional Director Regional Director Communications Manager Päivi Rosqvist Matti Määttä Samuli Sillman Jyrki Tolonen

PA MANAGEMENT PLANNING Area Manager A.i. Area Manager Area Manager Manager Markku Vickholm Seppo Manninen Teija Turunen Elina Stolt

GAME AND FISHERIES Area Manager Area Manager Area Manager Manager Jukka Bisi Jarmo Väisänen Erkki Turtinen Pirjo Ilvesviita

NATURE CONSERVATION Area Manager Area Manager Area Manager Manager Aimo Saano Harri Karjalainen Pirkko Siikamäki Päivi Paalamo RECREATION Area Manager A.i. Area Manager Area Manager Manager Anneli Leivo Jouni Aarnio Matti Tapaninen Sakari Kokkonen PROCESSES Regional Teams Regional Teams Regional Teams Superintendents Superintendents Superintendents

14 ESTIMATED NUMBERS OF VISITS TO Hiidenportti...... 11 600 Norway VISITOR CENTRES AND CUSTOMER Isojärvi...... 11 800 Kilpisjärvi SERVICE POINTS IN 2013 Kauhaneva–Pohjankangas...... 6 200 Siida Ivalo (total: 1. 013 800 visits) Koli...... 140 600 Fell Lapland Kiehinen Pallastunturi Koilliskaira Service point Visits Kolovesi...... 8 700

Kellokas Blåmusslan...... 14 600 Kurjenrahka...... 32 100 Korvatunturi Ekenäs...... 15 600 Lauhanvuori...... 11 000 Visitor centre Naava Customer service point Hautajärvi Fell-Lapland...... 28 400 Leivonmäki...... 14 300 Oulanka Hailuoto...... 14 500 Lemmenjoki...... 12 100 Karhuntassu Sweden Syöte Haltia...... 95 900 Liesjärvi...... 23 200 Hossa Hautajärvi...... 9 000 Linnansaari...... 31 900 Hailuoto Russia Liminganlahti Hossa...... 39 300 Nuuksio...... 267 400

Kalajoki Petola Häme...... 15 600 Oulanka...... 174 600 Ivalo...... 12 800 Pallas–Yllästunturi...... 488 400 Ruunaa

Terranova Ukko Kalajoki...... 29 800 Patvinsuo...... 12 900 Karhuntassu...... 22 000 Petkeljärvi...... 21 600 Kellokas...... 79 000 Puurijärvi–Isonsuo...... 8 000 Oskari Seitseminen Nestori Kiehinen...... 47 700 Pyhä-Häkki...... 15 300 Kilpisjärvi...... 9 100 Pyhä–Luosto...... 105 500

Häme Koilliskaira...... 13 800 Päijänne...... 14 200 sähallitus 2014 Teijo Haltia Korvatunturi...... 7 500 Repovesi...... 93 200

Blåmusslan Ekenäs © Me t Liminganlahti...... 56 000 Riisitunturi...... 23 000 Estonia Naava...... 89 500 Rokua...... 17 800 Metsähallitus visitor centres and customer Nestori...... 34 500 Salamajärvi...... 14 700 service points 2013. Contact information and Oskari...... 10 100 Seitseminen...... 39 700 services: www.outdoors.fi > Customer service. Oulanka...... 60 100 Sipoonkorpi...... 96 400 Pallastunturi...... 35 300 Syöte...... 35 600 Petola...... 11 100 Tiilikkajärvi...... 8 500 CUSTOMER SERVICE Ruunaa...... 6 300 Torronsuo...... 17 900 IN NUMBERS 2013 Seitseminen...... 30 200 Urho Kekkonen np...... 292 600 • 5.4 million visits to areas managed by Siida...... 104 300 Valkmusa...... 9 600 Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services Syöte...... 32 000 • 1.013 800 visits to customer service Teijo...... 16 400 points Terranova...... 18 400 ESTIMATED NUMBERS OF VISITS TO • 63,868 participants in client groups Ukko...... 55 000 NATIONAL HIKING AREAS IN 2013 provided with guidance (total: 369,000 visits) • 1.110 905 visitors at the Luontoon.fi Hiking area Visits (Outdoors.fi) websites ESTIMATED NUMBERS OF VISITS TO Evo...... 68 100 • 1.648 422 visits to the Retkikartta.fi NATIONAL PARKS IN 2013 Hossa...... 52 400 (Excursionmap.fi) website (total: 2.259 800 visits) Iso-Syöte...... 29 300 • 71,267 fishing permits purchased National park Visits Kylmäluoma...... 27 100 • 56,389 hunting permits purchased Archipelago...... 59 100 Oulujärvi...... 37 900 • customer satisfaction ratings averaging Bothnian Bay...... 8 800 Ruunaa...... 84 600 4.3 (on a scale of 1–5) Bothnian Sea...... 41 200 Teijo...... 69 600 • satisfaction ratings among fishers 3.7 Eastern Gulf of Finland...... 16 400 and among hunters 3.8 (on a scale of 1–5) Ekenäs Archipelago...... 53 000 Helvetinjärvi...... 20 900

15 Kaldoaivi Metsähallitus Paistunturi Norway Kevo

Natural Heritage Malla Vätsäri Services Käsivarsi Muotkatunturi Pöyrisjärvi Ivalo Tsarmitunturi Tarvantovaara Lemmenjoki Metsähallitus is a state-owned enterprise Enontekiö Hammastunturi Pulju that provides services related to Finland´s Urho Kekkonen National Park natural resources. Natural Heritage Services Pallas-Yllästunturi Sompio Kemihaara is a unit of Metsähallitus, providing public Kittilä Värriö Tuntsa administration services which are largely National park Sodankylä financed from the national government Strict nature reserve Maltio budget. Wilderness area Pyhä-Luosto National hiking area State-owned public water Natural Heritage Services World Heritage Site Rovaniemi Sukerijärvi ● manages national parks, strict nature Pisavaara Oulanka reserves, wilderness areas, national hiking Riisitunturi Runkaus Kuusamo areas and most of the state-owned public Kemi Syöte waters of Finland Kylmäluoma Iso-Syöte ● protects and manages species, habitats Bothnian Bay Hossa and cultural heritage in state-owned Olvassuo Sweden Oulu Russia protected areas ● provides outdoor recreation services for hikers Paljakka Rokua ● sells permits for hunting, fishing and Pelso Oulujärvi Kajaani snowmobiling. Kuhmo

Kokkola Ulvinsalo www.metsa.fi/naturalheritage – information Hiidenportti Kvarken archipelago Iisalmi Tiilikkajärvi on the activities and organisation of Natural Nurmes Ruunaa Salamajärvi Heritage Services Vaasa Salamanperä Koli Patvinsuo Seinäjoki Kuopio Koivusuo www.outdoors.fi – information on the Pyhä-Häkki Joensuu protected areas and services for hikers Kauhaneva- Petkeljärvi Pohjankangas Lauhanvuori Jyväskylä Kolovesi www.excursionmap.fi – hiking-destinations Häädetkeidas Helvetinjärvi Linnansaari Leivonmäki and hunting and fishing areas on a map Seitseminen Savonlinna Isojärvi Mikkeli Pori Tampere Sinivuori www.eraluvat.fi – web service for purchasing Bothnian Sea Päijänne Vesijako hunting and fishing permits (will be available in Puurijärvi-Isosuo Evo Repovesi Hämeenlinna Lahti Vaskijärvi Kouvola English in 2014) Torronsuo Kurjenrahka Liesjärvi Turku Valkmusa sähallitus 2014 www.haltia.com – Finnish Nature Centre Haltia: Sipoonkorpi Kotka Teijo Nuuksio Helsinki all of Finland’s nature under one roof and closer Karkali © Me t Gulf of Finland to the visitor in the Helsinki region. Archipelago Hanko National Park Ekenäs Archipelago

Estonia

Finland’s national parks, strict nature reserves, wilderness areas, national hiking areas and public waters under Metsähallitus’s management as of 31.12.2013. 16