Protecting Finland's Natural Treasures

Kaldoaivi Paistunturi Norway Kevo

Malla Vätsäri Käsivarsi Muotkatunturi

Pöyrisjärvi Ivalo Tsarmitunturi Examples of coverage of our areas in Tarvantovaara Lemmenjoki English-language media during 2010: Enontekiö Hammastunturi Pulju Urho Kekkonen National Park Pallas-Yllästunturi Sompio An earth-friendly holiday: Kemihaara Finland’s national parks attract Kittilä Värriö Tuntsa travellers who want to minimise National park Sodankylä their holiday footprint Strict nature reserve Maltio Wilderness area Pyhä-Luosto – Blue Wings, May–June 2010 National hiking area State-owned public water Winter hiking in Repovesi World Heritage Site Rovaniemi Pisavaara Sukerijärvi Oulanka National Park – a different Riisitunturi view of nature. Runkaus Kuusamo – Helsinki Times, 25.3.2010 Kemi Syöte Kylmäluoma Iso-Syöte Perämeri Hossa Night hiking in the midnight sun in Pyhä–Luosto National Park Sweden Olvassuo Russia Oulu – This is Finland, June 2010 Paljakka Rokua Into the wild: Finland’s national Pelso Oulujärvi Kajaani parks contain spectacular Kuhmo scenery and a wealth of wildlife Kokkola Ulvinsalo Hiidenportti – Blue1 Dream, 3/2010 Kvarken archipelago Iisalmi Tiilikkajärvi Nurmes Ruunaa See fall colours explode in the Vaasa Salamajärvi Salamanperä Koli Patvinsuo Urho Kekkonen National Park Seinäjoki Kuopio Koivusuo Pyhä-Häkki – VisitFinland.com, September 2010 Joensuu Petkeljärvi Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas Finland’s most uplifting scenery Jyväskylä Kolovesi Lauhanvuori – the Kvarken Archipelago World Helvetinjärvi Häädetkeidas Linnansaari Leivonmäki Savonlinna Heritage Site Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services Seitseminen Isojärvi Mikkeli – This is Finland, September 2010 Pori Tampere Sinivuori Puurijärvi-Isosuo Päijänne Vesijako Wild woods within easy reach Evo Repovesi Hämeenlinna Lahti in the Nuuksio National Park Protecting Finland’s Vaskijärvi Kouvola Torronsuo Kurjenrahka – Helsinki Times, 16.9.2010 Liesjärvi Turku Valkmusa Kotka Nuuksio sähallitus 2011 Teijo Helsinki Find out more about the work of Karkali

Finland’s national parks, strict nature reserves, wilderness areas, national hiking areas and public waters under Metsähallitus’s management as of 31.12.2010. For information on the management of these areas: www.metsa.fi > Natural Heritage. For information on these areas and their facilities: www.outdoors.fi, www.excursionmap.fi. Estonia SISÄLLYS FOREWORD estimated Numbers of visits Kauhaneva–Pohjankangas ...... 5 500 Norway NatioNal parks briNg visitors to visitor ceNtres aNd Koli ...... 138 500 aNd iNcome to rural areas customer service poiNts iN 2010 Kolovesi ...... 7 500 Kilpisjärvi Nationwide support for Natural Siida National parks as the cornerstones Investments made by the government in (total: 849,400 visits) Kurjenrahka ...... 26 500 Ivalo of nature tourism ...... 1 the provision of facilities for recreation Service point Visits Lauhanvuori ...... 9 500 Ivalo Heritage Services’ work Enontekiö Kiehinen in national parks and hiking areas are Blåmusslan ...... 16 400 Leivonmäki ...... 12 500 Fell Lapland Koilliskaira uring 2010 it has become clear that ments related to international policies in- paid back to society many times over Ekenäs ...... 19 600 Lemmenjoki ...... 10 000 Pallastunturi Natural settings our work at Metsähallitus Natural cluding EU targets and the UN Convention through the opportunities they create for Etiäinen ...... 8 000 Liesjärvi ...... 31 000 D Kittilä as a source of well-being ...... 3 Heritage Services is widely seen as indis- on Biological Diversity. The latest Red List enterprise and employment. Fell-Lapland ...... 24 800 Linnansaari ...... 31 000 Kellokas Sodankylä pensable. When we were faced with the evaluation of Finland’s native species, pub- In 2010 Finland’s national parks Hailuoto ...... 16 900 Nuuksio ...... 178 000 Visitor centre Korvatunturi threat of funding cuts amounting to mil- lished in December 2010, also showed how welcomed around 1.96 million visitors, Hautajärvi ...... 7 500 Oulanka ...... 169 000 Customer service point Boosting biodiversity lions of euros, as part of a wider drive to such work is urgently needed to combat the whose spending brought in income to the Hossa...... 40 400 Pallas–Yllästunturi ...... 436 000 Pyhätunturi and natural values ...... 6 reduce public spending, we received ex- ongoing decline in biodiversity. surrounding areas worth an estimated Häme ...... 14 500 Patvinsuo ...... 12 000 Rovaniemi Hautajärvi tensive backing in Parliament from all par- Preserving valuable natural features is 108.9 million euros. Considering the costs Ivalo ...... 11 000 Perämeri ...... 9 500 Etiäinen Oulanka ties. This backing is also reflected in posi- also vital for Finland’s expanding nature of running their facilities, this corresponds Kalajoki ...... 31 800 Petkeljärvi ...... 20 500 Kuusamo Creating jobs tive comments sent to us by MPs for inclu- tourism. Our customer surveys show that to an overall 7-time payback. Karhuntassu ...... 34 700 Puurijärvi–Isosuo...... 7 000 Karhuntassu around Finland ...... 10 sion in this report. the main reasons visitors come to national These economic impacts are calcu- Kellokas ...... 70 100 Pyhä-Häkki ...... 16 500 Kemi Sweden Syöte Russia We also received support from busi- parks are their landscapes and wildlife. lated using methodology devised by Kiehinen ...... 47 200 Pyhä–Luosto ...... 119 000 Hossa ness, organisations promoting physical ed- We have every reason to believe that af- Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services Kilpisjärvi...... 9 800 Päijänne ...... 13 500 Making the most of Finland’s ucation, trade unions, non-governmental ter Metsähallitus’s reorganisation following and the Finnish Forest Research Institute Koilliskaira...... 13 300 Repovesi ...... 76 500 Hailuoto Oulu natural assets in 2011 ...... 11 organisations, and local and regional au- the parliamentary elections in April 2011 we on the basis of data on visitor numbers Korpoström ...... 21 000 Riisitunturi ...... 23 500 thorities around Finland. should be able to carry on with our work to compiled by Natural Heritage Services, Korvatunturi ...... 7 100 Rokua ...... 23 500

It is gratifying that the natural heritage the continued satisfaction of all our stake- survey findings on visitors’ spending Nestori – Saimaa Nature Exhibition ...... 24 000 Salamajärvi ...... 12 500 Kajaani Kalajoki Petola we preserve and the related services we holders, including ordinary citizens, politi- levels, and factoring figures that account Oskari ...... 11 000 Seitseminen ...... 40 500 Kuhmo Kokkola Editors: Päivi Rosqvist, Tiina Grahn provide to promote well-being are seen as cians and our employees. for the cumulative impacts of visitors’ Oulanka ...... 73 000 Syöte...... 31 000 Iisalmi Translation: Fran Weaver so important, that people will pull togeth- The way we work at present to carry out spending in local economies. Pallastunturi ...... 34 200 Tiilikkajärvi ...... 8 500 Nurmes Layout: Marianne Katainen er to defend them. But this should real- our public administrative tasks under the Petola ...... 15 200 Torronsuo ...... 17 000 Ruunaa Terranova Vaasa ly be no surprise, since this work benefits control of the Ministry of the Environment Pyhätunturi ...... 24 400 Urho Kekkonen ...... 287 500 Ukko Kuopio Cover: The scenic hills of Koli are everyone throughout society. and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest- Ruunaa ...... 7 500 Valkmusa ...... 8 500 Seinäjoki a popular high spot for hikers Particularly when it comes to manag- ry ensures that our work is effective and im- protected areas Seitseminen ...... 30 900 Joensuu in Eastern Finland. Photo: Markku Tano. ing protected areas, our work promotes partial. This puts us in the best possible po- Welcome maNY visitors Siida ...... 108 000 Jyväskylä both the conservation of biodiversity and sition to work with others to safeguard citi- During 2010 Finland’s national parks Syöte...... 28 200 estimated Numbers of visits Oskari Metsähallitus, the growth of nature tourism – helping to zens’ basic rights of access to the land, and welcomed about 1.96 million visitors, Teijo ...... 25 300 to NatioNal hikiNg areas iN 2010 Seitseminen Savonlinna Nestori Natural Heritage Services 2010 strengthen Finland’s image and brand. Our to bring welcome income and employment and national hiking areas received some Terranova ...... 21 800 (total: 364,000 visits) Mikkeli Pori Tampere P.O. Box 94, 01301 Vantaa, Finland services promote well-being by provid- to rural regions. It also enables us to expand 364,000 visitors. Ukko ...... 51 800 Hiking area Visits ing facilities for people who want to sim- our funding base by obtaining other public These total visitor numbers for each area Evo ...... 84 500 Hämeenlinna Lahti www.metsa.fi ply enjoy peaceful natural settings, as well funds, which are vital for our work. type were 15,000–20,000 higher than in Hossa...... 48 000 Kouvola www.outdoors.fi as those interested in activities like hiking, I particularly hope that during the com- 2009. estimated Numbers of visits Iso-Syöte ...... 22 000 Häme Turku www.excursionmap.fi fishing and hunting. ing reorganisation process decision-makers The most popular national park was to NatioNal parks iN 2010 Kylmäluoma ...... 25 500 Kotka

Minna Koramo

National parks as the cornerstones of nature tourism

Our national parks are national treasures, Local economies benefit in terms of em- Beautiful landscapes and un- which also bring significant economic ployment and income when local business- spoilt nature are Lapland’s benefits. Our most popular national es provide additional services in connec- greatest assets for tourism. parks generated nature tourism income tion with these areas. In this way the pub- As the largest land-holder in Lapland by for local economies amounting to 20–30 lic sector and the private sector are togeth- far, Metsähallitus has a great responsibil- euros for every euro invested in provid- er building up sustainable nature tourism. ity to preserve these features. Sustainable ing their services. Altogether our parks nature tourism will become increasingly contributed an estimated 108.9 million Facilities from the arctic fells important for the whole economy, and euros to local economies during 2010, and to the Baltic archipelagoes Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services created jobs amounting to 1,403 person- The impacts of Finland’s national parks, will play a key role in enabling this.” years in addition to employment provid- national hiking areas and four other major — Hannes Manninen, Centre Party, ed directly by Metsähallitus. natural areas on local economies during Member of Parliament 2010. 2010 totaled an estimated 143.5 million etsähallitus Natural Heritage Serv- euros. The top three areas in these terms Käsivarsi area in NW Lapland, where recre- M ices uses public funds to provide were the national parks of Pallas–Ylläs- ational tourism brings around 4.3 million free basic services and facilities in Fin- tunturi, Urho Kekkonen and Oulanka. Sig- euros a year to the local economy in the land’s protected areas and hiking areas. nificant income was also generated by the municipality of Enontekiö.

1 The areas managed by Natural Herit- The beautiful natural fea- such plan drafted during 2010 for the Ko- age Services are renowned for their im- tures of our archipelagoes are li–Ruunaa area involved working with local pressive scenery. Visitor surveys indicate unique, but they could easily tourism service providers to identify ways that the landscapes and wildlife are the be damaged by large numbers of visitors. to promote sustainable nature tourism. main attractions. As nature tourism increases, the services National parks and hiking areas and guidance provided by Metsähallitus Momentum benefit the entire tourism sector. Natu- will become increasingly important, since through collaboration ral Heritage Services enters into collabo- they help to channel tourism in all of our Projects focusing on coastal areas were ration agreements with local service pro- national parks so as to minimise nega- particularly prominent during 2010, includ- viders committed to sustainable nature tive environmental impacts. This makes it ing many schemes that benefit from EU tourism. Such businesses may organise vital to provide sufficient resources for the funding. Work has commenced on the ren- excursions and activities in the areas, or management of national parks and na- ovation of the historic lighthouse island provide transportation, accommodation ture reserves.” — Christina Gestrin, Swedish of Söderskär in the Gulf of Finland. Lodg- and catering services. At the end of 2010 People’s Party. Member of Parliament 2010. ings and cultural landscapes have been a total of 297 such agreements were in restored on islands in the Eastern Gulf effect. of Finland National Park with the goal of At a seminar organised for Natural firms, this means national parks bring vis- promoting tourism. In the Kvarken Archi- Heritage Services’ partners, Marie Louise ibility and clients,” she explained. pelago World Heritage Site, we have been Fant of the Saimaa Holiday network said To steer the longer-term development of working with various partners through the that national parks provide credibility nature tourism in national parks and their Feniks project to create basic facilities for for nature tourism, as well as well-main- surroundings, Natural Heritage Services hiking that will not endanger the natural tained facilities and trails. “For individual creates specific nature tourism plans. One features of this unique emergent coast.

Snowshoe trekking is rapidly increasing in popularity. During sunny spring weather trekkers can enjoy memorable days out in the snow-covered forests of Lapland.Photo:

Metsähallitus / Olli Vainio.

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Korouma Nature Reserve in Posio is an ideal place for a leisurely summer ramble. Photo: Metsähallitus / Mari Limnell Natural settings as a source of well-being

Enjoying outdoor activities in Finland’s to be conducted to discover the extent of No one can have a private most scenic spots – in national parks, such health impacts. right to nature. All citizens wilderness areas and national hiking are- “At the end of 2010 Natural Heritage must continue to have the op- as – brings both physical and psychologi- Services’ management approved a new portunity to enjoy and benefit from our cal benefits. Natural Heritage Services’ programme that will use national parks wonderful natural heritage. To enable us work promoting outdoor recreation for to promote health,” says senior advisor to gain the benefits of these natural as- everyone was recognised through two Martti Aarnio. “One goal is that together sets, we must cherish our natural places. awards granted during 2010. During the with well-being service providers we Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services year we also initiated more systematic should create purposefully designed, mar- contributes to this valuable work.” actions to enhance, produce and exam- keted and realised products. Facilities like — Susanna Huovinen, Social Democratic Party, ine well-being services linked to outdoor our safe hiking routes will become increas- Member of Parliament 2010 recreation and nature. ingly important as the population ages.” Together with the Finnish Forest Re- esearch findings confirm the widely search Institute and other research or- hensive assessment of good health-pro- R held belief that enjoying outdoor ac- ganisations we have begun to devise new moting practices applied in different parts tivities and natural settings benefits peo- ways to understand and demonstrate the of the world, with help from partners in- ple both physically and psychologically, health benefits of protected areas. As a cluding the US National Parks Service and though more systematic studies still need basis for this work, we made a compre- Parks Victoria from Australia.

3 “It’s vital that people should also be “Luontoon.fi is one way for us to carry able to gain health benefits from nature Visitor facilities in numbers out the task assigned to Metsähallitus by in their immediate surroundings, even ● 3,155 campfire sites and maintained picnic Finland’s Country Brand Delegation, to at- around cities. For this reason during 2010 sites tract people out into the natural environ- we applied for funding to develop safe, ● 2,276 maintained waste collection points ment,” says the website’s editor-in-chief health-promoting facilities for visitors and dry compost toilets Katariina Hopponen. Nuuksio National Park near Helsinki and ● 6,378 km of maintained trails, including The complementary map website Ret- natural areas in the vicinity of Oulu. In informative nature trails kikartta.fi/Excursionmap.fi was revamped Nuuksio we’re particularly focusing on during 2010, when for the first time it at- the needs of pensioners,” explains Aarnio. tracted more than a million visits over the ties gave its award for “Finnish Mover of year. Getting Finns out into the Year” for 2010 to Metsähallitus Nat- the Great Outdoors ural Heritage Services. “Visitor numbers Praise for Evo’s facilities Areas managed by Metsähallitus Natu- and the numbers of permits issued are for children and the disabled ral Heritage Services received 4.8 million very significant in terms of the well-being In many of our popular areas nature trails visits during 2010. Hunting and fishing are of the Finnish population. Getting out in- and picnic sites have been made accessi- also on the rise. In 2010 Metsähallitus sold to the forests and national parks can help ble to visitors with wheelchairs or push- 106,000 permits for hunting and fishing Finns to stay healthy physically, psycho- chairs. in state-owned lands and waters. Out- logically and socially,” said the associa- The disabled citizens’ board of the City door recreation in natural settings clearly tion’s executive director Eki Karlsson when of Hämeenlinna granted its Good Deed has benefits in terms of public health and granting the award. Award for 2010 to the Evo Hiking Area for well-being, even if these impacts are not A new system has been adopted to improving the accessibility of its facilities yet fully understood. enable hunters to apply and pay for elk- for disabled visitors. The Finnish Central Association for hunting permits for specific areas and A 100-hectare camping area jointly de- Recreational Sports and Outdoor Activi- seasonal small game permits using the veloped by Metsähallitus and the Finn- internet. ish Scouts was completed at Evo during To mark the beginning of the summer summer 2010. This site and its facilities Customer service holidays, Metsähallitus designated a day are suitable for camps and events with up in numbers 2010 when under-18s could fish free of charge to 10,000 participants. At the end of July ● 4.8 million visits to areas managed by in 11 of our waters. An estimated 500 the major scout camp event Kilke brought Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services young fishers took advantage of this offer. about 11,000 visitors to Evo. (see back cover for details) ● 849,000 visits to customer service points Recognition (see back cover for details) for the Outdoors.fi website ● 45,000 participants in client groups The Finnish Guild of Travel Journalists Over the centuries our forests provided with guidance granted its award for the best website have sheltered and safeguard- ● 2.5 million visits to the Luontoon.fi/ in 2010 to our Luontoon.fi/Outdoors.fi ed Finns when enemies have Outdoors.fi websites site, which last year attracted 2.5 million threatened us. People used to make poor ● 1 million visits to the Retkikartta.fi/ hits. These web services, available in Eng- man’s flour from the soft parts of pine Excursionmap.fi map website lish, Swedish and Sámi as well as Finnish, trees to add to the bread they ate with ● 69,200 fishing permits purchased form part of the services freely provided meat from forest game and fish from the ● 37,000 hunting permits purchased by Natural Heritage Services for visitors lakes. Through its heritage farms and for- ● Customer satisfaction ratings averaging to Finland’s national parks and hiking ar- est cabins Metsähallitus enables Finns 4.2 (on a scale of 1–5) eas. When granting the award the Guild today to learn about how our forefathers ● Satisfaction ratings among fishers and praised the way these websites have ex- survived in these cold northlands.” hunters averaging 3.7 (on a scale of 1–5) panded free access to Finland’s natural — Pentti Oinonen, True Finns, areas to the internet. Member of Parliament 2010.

4 Our national parks and nature centres play a significant role in the environmental educa- tion of our children and young people. They enable our young people to learn about our national landscapes and the importance of taking responsibility for all creation.” — Kari Kärkkäinen, Christian Democrats, Member of Parliament 2010.

Natural open bogs like those in Torronsuo National Park are popular with birdwatch- ers, berry-pickers and walkers of all ages. Photo: Metsähallitus / Mikko Tiira.

5 Boosting biodiversity and natural values

The UN designation of 2010 as the international year of biodiversity was reflected in many ways in our work managing natural habitats, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources and areas, and conducting surveys of ecosystems and species.

ur publicity work also had a special O focus on biodiversity. Good news from our protected areas featured promi- nently in our communications. Examples of our conservation work during 2010 reveal that good news comes from good deeds. Action to preserve mire habitats The Boreal Peatland LIFE project was launched at the beginning of 2010. This will be the most extensive EU LIFE nature conservation project ever run in Finland. EU funding will cover half of the project’s National parks and other protected areas provide refuge for the rare lady’s slipper orchid (Calypso total budget of 6.7 million euros. bulbosa). Photo: Metsähallitus / Minna Koramo. The project aims to restore more than 4,000 hectares of different kinds of peat- Natural Heritage Services lenge Natural Heritage Services initiated land habitat to their natural state, in 52 has been involved in com- in 2009 a globally unique study to find protected areas. mendable collaboration with out whether aerial surveys could produce “We also aim to increase public aware- Parliament’s environmental and natural useful data on natural features in marine ness and enjoyment of our natural peat- resource committees during the interna- waters. Results obtained during 2010 have lands. One target group is citizens who re- tional biodiversity year. Natural Heritage already been promising. quire disabled access to trails and facili- Services has held its own, particularly in Survey findings indicate that aerial sur- ties,” explains project manager Mikko the face of planned budget cuts, and will veys using LiDAR laser sensing techniques Tiira. “During this first year we’ve made hopefully continue to succeed in this re- can identify underwater habitat types. The habitat restoration plans for 8 sites, spect. Our national parks are calling out greatest advantage is the speed of such cleared more than 400 hectares of tree for infrastructural improvements!” surveys, but they can also provide reliable growth in 16 sites, and blocked artificial – Pentti Tiusanen, Left Alliance. Member of information on aquatic vegetation. drainage ditches over an area of almost Parliament 2010. “Aerial surveys can compile ecologi- 700 hectares. Before restoration com- cal data on about 30 km² of marine habi- mences, we work with our project part- Progress on surveys of tat every day, whereas team of boat-based ners to survey populations of species in- underwater ecosystems surveyors using conventional methods cluding marshland butterflies, dragonflies Our limited knowledge of underwater ma- would only be able to study about 10 km² and golden plovers so that we can later rine habitats is problematic, since there is during an entire summer season,” says find out how they benefit from the resto- considerable pressure to develop marine senior advisor Michael Haldin, who heads ration work.” areas in various ways. To meet this chal- the project team.

6 The survey methods can be useful par- The future of the Saimaa lie within the 248 waters covered by such ticularly in shallow marine waters, which ringed seal is literally in the agreements, or waters managed by Met- tend to have the most valuable marine hands of local people and sähallitus. This makes it more likely that habitats and also face the greatest devel- holiday-makers in South Savo. If the seals pups will survive through their first haz- opment pressure. In spite of their benefits, become extinct, this would be a terrible ardous months. it is not likely that aerial surveys will ever setback for biodiversity and for tourism completely eliminate the need for diving in the region. We need to act urgently to Recognition for effective surveys, however. save our seals.” game management The most extensive diving surveys of – Lenita Toivakka, National Coalition Party. A project run at Metsähallitus’s Palosaari aquatic vegetation conducted in the Both- Member of Parliament 2010. Estate in Pyhäjoki has harmonised game nian Bay for almost 20 years revealed that management and hunting in ways that these northernmost waters of the Baltic also safeguard biodiversity. This work has feature a surprisingly high level of diversity. winter that increased the survival rates of been recognised internationally, with the pups, who are raised in lairs built in snow estate becoming part of the Wildlife Es- Slight increase in drifts on top of the frozen lake. tate Network and receiving the Edmond Saimaa ringed seal numbers Unfortunately the seals’ population Blanc Prize. Metsähallitus Natural Herit- Natural Heritage Services has responsi- overall is still too fragmented. New agree- age Services personnel have created habi- bility for protecting certain endangered ments were signed during the first half tats favourable for game species in 27 species in Finland, including the Saimaa of 2010 considerably extending the are- sites within the estate. Forestry profes- ringed seal. The total population of these as where fishers voluntarily agree to avoid sionals regularly visit these sites to learn unique lake seals today is estimated at using fishing tackle that could harm seal how they are managed. In some sites just 270. The seals’ numbers increased by pups during the breeding season. Almost management favours the development about 10 during 2010, thanks to a snowy all of the seals’ main breeding areas now of undergrowth which can shelter the broods of nesting game birds. In recent times willow grouse (Lagopus lagopus) have vanished from most parts of Southern and Central Finland, proba- bly due to the artificial drainage of their marshland habitat. But during 2010 their numbers almost doubled in this region, since unusually deep protective winter snow cover led to high breeding success rates. Metsähallitus has also restored natural conditions in many peatland areas both in protected areas and in commer- cially managed forests. Provisional moni- toring results indicate that willow grouse have readily occupied restored mire habitats. Our game and fisheries wardens, who have the same legal authority as the po- lice, work to ensure that hunting and fishing regulations are duly observed. During A hovercraft donated to WWF Finland by Nokia facilitated surveys of breeding Saimaa ringed seals 2010 they also participated in the moni- conducted in late winter 2010. Metsähallitus, WWF and specially trained local volunteers attempt toring of wolverine and ringed seal popu- to survey the lake seals’ entire range at a time of year when surveying work would not disturb the lations. seals unduly. Photo: Metsähallitus / Laajakantti oy / Markku Tissarinen.

7 Nature conservation in numbers 2010 ● 2,245 hectares of forest and mire habitats restored ● 2,695 hectares of traditional agricultural biotopes managed ● 35,045 hectares of terrestrial biotopes surveyed ● 6,200 hectares of underwater biotopes surveyed ● 28,316 occurrences of significant species protected ● 2,148 archaeological relics and 191 protected buildings registered in protected areas

8 Vital surveys and habitat management Our surveys of biotopes, wildlife populations and cultural heritage provide vital information that enables us to prioritise conservation and management work so as to maximise positive impacts on biodiversity and landscape diversity. We success- fully reached targets set for data collection and management measures for 2010. The latest Red List evaluating the statuses of Finland’s species was published in December 2010. “Surveys conducted by Natural Heritage Services provided a wealth of data on many species, including lichens, polypore fungi and beetles,” says conservation biologist Esko Hyvärinen. The Red List classifies almost a quarter of Finland’s breeding bird species as threatened (59 species). But the statuses of many species have improved recently. Two of the species for which Met- sähallitus holds special responsibility, the white-backed woodpecker and the per- Niiles-Jouni Aikio sings a traditional Sámi “joik” for volunteers who have helped to restore egrine falcon, now have more favourable heritage landscapes and a historical Sámi farmstead earlier settled by members of his own clan. conservation statuses than previously. This Photo: Metsähallitus / Pirjo Seurujärvi progress has been achieved thanks to sys- tematically planned conservation work During 2010 a total of 20 voluntary work stitute for the Languages of Finland. Col- conducted in collaboration with dedicat- camps were organised. Tasks included laboration with the Sámi community dur- ed volunteers. mowing meadows and clearing scrub. ing 2010 also included negotiations on Earlier farming methods in Finland cre- hunting and fishing quotas, and the joint ated farmland biotopes such as meadows Cherishing Sámi languages drafting of management plans for areas and wooded pastures which are valuable and heritage located in the Sámi Homeland Region. for their rich biodiversity. Traditional ag- In 2010 the Finnish Sámi Parliament In summer 2010 temporary staff em- ricultural biotopes with a total extent of granted a prize for efforts to promote the ployed by Natural Heritage Services more than 2,700 hectares were purpose- Sámi language to Metsähallitus, in recog- through a publicly funded job creation fully managed in Natural Heritage Serv- nition of the work we have been doing to scheme and volunteers from WWF worked ices’ lands during 2010. Volunteers make promote the languages of Finland’s indig- together in Lemmenjoki National Park on valuable contributions to our work pre- enous Sámi peoples and other aspects of the restoration of an old Sámi farmstead serving traditional agricultural biotopes. Sámi cultures. named after its former owner Kaapin Jou- Our Luontoon.fi/Outdoors.fi website ni. This farmstead will be opened to visi- also has a Sámi language version known tors interested in Sámi culture, and man- ← Willow grouse numbers have increased in as Lundui.fi. During 2010 we jointly pub- aged by Metsähallitus Natural Heritage areas where Metsähallitus has restored natural lished Ilmari Mattus’s major study of Sámi Services in collaboration with the Finnish conditions in artificially drained mires. The place names in collaboration with the Sámi Parliament, the Sámi Museum Siida, grouse have readily returned to restored mire Finnish Sámi Parliament, The Inari Sámi and Lemmenjoki village association. habitats. Photo: Metsähallitus / Timo Eskola language association and the Research In-

9 Metsähallitus Natural Herit- Creating jobs around Finland age Services has a valuable role to play in preserving our unique nature. Natural Heritage Services’ work has many more benefits in addition to nature conservation and the provision of recreational amenities. The benefits of Pallas–Ylläs National Park to the local economy in Lapland, for instance, amount to as much as 30 million euros a year. Many young people also get their first work experience through temporary and seasonal jobs with Natural Heritage Serv- ices.” – Anni Sinnemäki, Green Alliance. Minister of Labour 2010.

buildings. There was also plenty of work to be done restoring valuable habitats and re- pairing storm damage. Many of the participants gained valuable experience in areas of interest for their future careers. Jobs from the islands Youth employment schemes have helped Metsähallitus create jobs for many young people in areas to the highlands including the Kvarken Archipelago UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photo: Metsähallitus / Anders Isaksson. Natural Heritage Services carries out Met- sähallitus’s public administration functions related to nature conservation, the Our work cherishing Finland’s natu- We particularly provide welcome sea- provision of free facilities for outdoor rec- ral heritage creates employment in all sonal employment during the summer for reation, and the management of hunting, regions of Finland, both directly and students and recent graduates. Many of fishing, off-road traffic, log-floating and indirectly. these jobs are related to nature tourism, seed banks. and half of our nature conservation work Half or our employees work in South- ur nature conservation and manage- is carried out by temporary workers. ern Finland, a quarter work for our Pohjan O ment work and the customer serv- maa regional unit (covering an area ex- ices we provide through our visitor cen- Work experience tending from Vaasa to Oulu and Kuusa- tres give employment to our own perma- in national parks mo), and a quarter work in Finnish Lap- nent and temporary staff, but the areas Natural Heritage Services provided work land. The overall productivity of our work and recreational amenities we manage for 160 unemployed young people last has remained at a favourable level. are also vital for our partners and other year around Finland using 1.6 million eu- At the end of 2010 Natural Herit- local firms who employ their own staff. ros of additional job creation funds pro- age Services had 550 employees. The to- This creates many jobs in areas including vided by the government. tal work input over the year amounted tourism, catering, accommodation, guid- The youngsters were given work man- to 553 person-years, including 52 person- ing, forestry and maintenance work. Our aging natural habitats, providing customer years worked through youth employment collaborative research projects also pro- services at visitor centres, entering ecologi- schemes. We continued to provide work vide interesting and valuable work for re- cal observations into data systems, and do- for inmates from open prisons, amounting searchers. ing maintenance work on trails, signs and to 33 person-years during 2010.

10 wolverines and lynxes, and ensure that Making the most of Finland’s Saimaa ringed seals are duly protected. ● Prepare an assessment of the need to natural assets in 2011 improve the management of Finland’s bean goose population. At the end of 2010 Metsähallitus Natural ● Expand our Luontoon.fi/Outdoors.fi web- ● Publish an action plan for the protection Heritage Services was given two impor- sites to enable users to share their experi- of the Finnish population of the European tant missions. Parliament assigned us to ences. crayfish. work during 2011 to further enhance na- ● Continue to develop the new LiDAR ture tourism based on Finland’s national Partnerships for method for the aerial surveying of under- parks. Finland’s country brand delegation sustainable nature-tourism water ecosystems as part of the interna- meanwhile urged us to expand our pub- During 2011 we will: tional SUPERB project, particularly with licity work creatively so as to get Finns ● Take on the mission assigned to us by a view to identifying valuable features in outdoors into our beautiful parks. But Finland’s country brand delegation, and shallow marine waters. Work is particular- in order to build up sustainable nature together with our partners make Finland ly needed to enhance data interpretation tourism and enhance public well-being better known as a country with wonderful and develop a more effective camera for by promoting recreational activities, we and unique natural attractions. surveys of underwater ecosystems. must first safeguard the valuable natural ● Exploit the GeoPark status recently ● Produce a new State of the Parks report areas we have been entrusted with. granted to the Rokua–Lake Oulujärvi re- comprehensively assessing the state of gion in international marketing in collabo- Finland’s protected areas and the ways Healthy parks – healthy people ration with our partners. they are managed. During 2011 we will: ● Initiate the development of facilities for ● Launch a new Health from National visitors to the planned Bothnian Sea Na- Effective organisation and Parks programme and related projects. tional Park so as to support local firms networked collaboration This will involve working with our part- working in nature tourism. During 2011 we will: ners to find the best ways to promote ● Enhance visitor facilities on islands in ● Enhance our management work and public well-being by encouraging people the Gulf of Finland using project funding partnerships in the Kvarken Archipelago to get out into our most beautiful natural from the European Regional Development World Heritage Site by appointing a local areas. Fund. This will include restoring build- coordinator. ● Plan new visitor centres for the Nuuk- ings on the lighthouse island of Söderskär ● Support work towards the Finnish game sio and Pyhä–Luosto national parks and in time for its 150th anniversary, and en- authorities’ goals for the sustainable use Liminganlahti Bay to provide gateways hancing the visitor centre exhibition and of game resources. to enjoyable experiences in these natural other facilities in the Ekenäs Archipelago ● Strengthen our resource base with the settings. National Park. help of national and EU project funding. ● Initiate the planning and provision of ● Find new opportunities to get various services for the new Sipoonkorpi Nation- Managing natural resources groups of people involved in voluntary al Park, which will be established during and protected areas responsibly work, to mark the EU’s European Year of 2011, creating a major new recreational During 2011 we will: Volunteering 2011. amenity in the immediate vicinity of Hel- ● Create a new tool from the Zonation de- sinki. cision analysis programme together with ● Expand our mobile and web-based fish- our network of partners to help target ing permit purchasing services to cover land acquisitions under the METSO con- the national fisheries management fee servation programme so as to ensure the and regional lure-fishing licence fees. Fish- most suitable and ecologically valuable ers will also be able to feed in details of sites are acquired. their fishing trips and catches to a new ● Prioritise supervisory measures to pre- web diary. vent the illegal hunting of bears, wolves,

Natural Heritage Services’ finances in 2010 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 into is obtained from fees paid for hunting and fishing permits, and rent commercial operations (including forestry and real estate deals) and paid by tenants. the public administration services provided by Natural Heritage Serv- ices (including nature conservation and the provision of free facilities Ministry of Environment for outdoor recreation). The public services are largely financed from . mil. the national government budget.

Ministry of Agriculture % and Forestry . mil. % Income . mil. % Our areas in numbers 2010 Ministry of The administration of lands and waters owned by the Finnish State Employment and (which amount to about a third of the country’s total area) has been the Economy . mil. % placed in the care of Metsähallitus. Other funding ● Metsähallitus administers areas with a total extent of 125,000 . mil. % square kilometres, including 91,000 sq km of state-owned land and % 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 31,000 sq km of waters (totaling 70,000 sq km), including: Total: . mil. – 35 national parks, 19 strict nature reserves, and about 500 other (Not including 3.8 million euros provided by the Ministry of the nature reserves (together totaling 16,000 sq km) Environment to build up the share capital of Nuuksiokeskus Oy.) – 12 wilderness areas (with a total extent of 15,000 sq km)

organisation of Natural Heritage Services

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

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS Director Matti Määttä SOUTHERN FINLAND OSTROBOTHNIA LAPLAND

COMMUNICATIONS Regional Director Regional Director Regional Director Communications Manager Päivi Rosqvist Stig Johansson Arto Ahokumpu Jyrki Tolonen

PA MANAGEMENT PLANNING Area Manager Area Manager Area Manager Manager Markku Vickholm Seppo Manninen Jouni Aarnio (till 1.3.2011) Elina Stolt

GAME AND FISHERIES Area Manager Area Manager Area Manager Manager Olavi Joensuu (till 31.5.2011) Jarmo Väisänen Erkki Turtinen Pirjo Ilvesviita

NATURE CONSERVATION Area Manager Area Manager Area Manager Manager Aimo Saano Aulikki Alanen Pirkko Siikamäki Yrjö Norokorpi RECREATION Area Manager Area Manager Area Manager Manager Anneli Leivo Erkki Virolainen Samuli Sillman Sakari Kokkonen PROCESSES Regional Teams Regional Teams Regional Teams Superintendents Superintendents Superintendents

12 SISÄLLYS FOREWORD estimated Numbers of visits Kauhaneva–Pohjankangas ...... 5 500 Norway NatioNal parks briNg visitors to visitor ceNtres aNd Koli ...... 138 500 aNd iNcome to rural areas customer service poiNts iN 2010 Kolovesi ...... 7 500 Kilpisjärvi Nationwide support for Natural Siida National parks as the cornerstones Investments made by the government in (total: 849,400 visits) Kurjenrahka ...... 26 500 Ivalo of nature tourism ...... 1 the provision of facilities for recreation Service point Visits Lauhanvuori ...... 9 500 Ivalo Heritage Services’ work Enontekiö Kiehinen in national parks and hiking areas are Blåmusslan ...... 16 400 Leivonmäki ...... 12 500 Fell Lapland Koilliskaira uring 2010 it has become clear that ments related to international policies in- paid back to society many times over Ekenäs ...... 19 600 Lemmenjoki ...... 10 000 Pallastunturi Natural settings our work at Metsähallitus Natural cluding EU targets and the UN Convention through the opportunities they create for Etiäinen ...... 8 000 Liesjärvi ...... 31 000 D Kittilä as a source of well-being ...... 3 Heritage Services is widely seen as indis- on Biological Diversity. The latest Red List enterprise and employment. Fell-Lapland ...... 24 800 Linnansaari ...... 31 000 Kellokas Sodankylä pensable. When we were faced with the evaluation of Finland’s native species, pub- In 2010 Finland’s national parks Hailuoto ...... 16 900 Nuuksio ...... 178 000 Visitor centre Korvatunturi threat of funding cuts amounting to mil- lished in December 2010, also showed how welcomed around 1.96 million visitors, Hautajärvi ...... 7 500 Oulanka ...... 169 000 Customer service point Boosting biodiversity lions of euros, as part of a wider drive to such work is urgently needed to combat the whose spending brought in income to the Hossa...... 40 400 Pallas–Yllästunturi ...... 436 000 Pyhätunturi and natural values ...... 6 reduce public spending, we received ex- ongoing decline in biodiversity. surrounding areas worth an estimated Häme ...... 14 500 Patvinsuo ...... 12 000 Rovaniemi Hautajärvi tensive backing in Parliament from all par- Preserving valuable natural features is 108.9 million euros. Considering the costs Ivalo ...... 11 000 Perämeri ...... 9 500 Etiäinen Oulanka ties. This backing is also reflected in posi- also vital for Finland’s expanding nature of running their facilities, this corresponds Kalajoki ...... 31 800 Petkeljärvi ...... 20 500 Kuusamo Creating jobs tive comments sent to us by MPs for inclu- tourism. Our customer surveys show that to an overall 7-time payback. Karhuntassu ...... 34 700 Puurijärvi–Isosuo...... 7 000 Karhuntassu around Finland ...... 10 sion in this report. the main reasons visitors come to national These economic impacts are calcu- Kellokas ...... 70 100 Pyhä-Häkki ...... 16 500 Kemi Sweden Syöte Russia We also received support from busi- parks are their landscapes and wildlife. lated using methodology devised by Kiehinen ...... 47 200 Pyhä–Luosto ...... 119 000 Hossa ness, organisations promoting physical ed- We have every reason to believe that af- Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services Kilpisjärvi...... 9 800 Päijänne ...... 13 500 Making the most of Finland’s ucation, trade unions, non-governmental ter Metsähallitus’s reorganisation following and the Finnish Forest Research Institute Koilliskaira...... 13 300 Repovesi ...... 76 500 Hailuoto Oulu natural assets in 2011 ...... 11 organisations, and local and regional au- the parliamentary elections in April 2011 we on the basis of data on visitor numbers Korpoström ...... 21 000 Riisitunturi ...... 23 500 thorities around Finland. should be able to carry on with our work to compiled by Natural Heritage Services, Korvatunturi ...... 7 100 Rokua ...... 23 500

All of our work is based on the principle will remember we are a public body whose Pallas–Yllästunturi, with 436,000 visits. (total: 1.958,500 visits) Oulujärvi ...... 24 000 Korpoström Teijo Helsinki sähallitus 2011 Erweko Painotuote Oy, that Finland’s most valuable natural set- work promotes the common good. We are Ruunaa was the most visited national National park Visits Ruunaa ...... 88 000 Blåmusslan Hanko Ekenäs © Me t © NLS of Finland 1/MML/11 Helsinki 2011 tings must not be endangered. Protected keen to maintain this role in the future. hiking area, with 88,000 visits. Archipelago ...... 59 000 Teijo ...... 72 000 areas are the most important tool for na- Eastern Gulf of Finland ...... 19 000 500 copies ture conservation – and also a good way Estimated numbers of visits to national Ekenäs Archipelago ...... 54 000 to mitigate the impacts of climate change. parks, hiking areas and customer service Helvetinjärvi ...... 23 000 ISBN 978-952-446-843-5 (printed) Natural Heritage Services helps Finland to Rauno Väisänen, Director of points in 2010 → Hiidenportti ...... 11 000 Metsähallitus visitor centres and customer service points 2010. ISBN 978-952-446-844-2 (pdf) meet many of its conservation commit- Metsähalllitus Natural Heritage Services Isojärvi ...... 10 500 Contact information and services: www.outdoors.fi > Customer service. Estonia SISÄLLYS FOREWORD estimated Numbers of visits Kauhaneva–Pohjankangas ...... 5 500 Norway NatioNal parks briNg visitors to visitor ceNtres aNd Koli ...... 138 500 aNd iNcome to rural areas customer service poiNts iN 2010 Kolovesi ...... 7 500 Kilpisjärvi Nationwide support for Natural Siida National parks as the cornerstones Investments made by the government in (total: 849,400 visits) Kurjenrahka ...... 26 500 Ivalo of nature tourism ...... 1 the provision of facilities for recreation Service point Visits Lauhanvuori ...... 9 500 Ivalo Heritage Services’ work Enontekiö Kiehinen in national parks and hiking areas are Blåmusslan ...... 16 400 Leivonmäki ...... 12 500 Fell Lapland Koilliskaira uring 2010 it has become clear that ments related to international policies in- paid back to society many times over Ekenäs ...... 19 600 Lemmenjoki ...... 10 000 Pallastunturi Natural settings our work at Metsähallitus Natural cluding EU targets and the UN Convention through the opportunities they create for Etiäinen ...... 8 000 Liesjärvi ...... 31 000 D Kittilä as a source of well-being ...... 3 Heritage Services is widely seen as indis- on Biological Diversity. The latest Red List enterprise and employment. Fell-Lapland ...... 24 800 Linnansaari ...... 31 000 Kellokas Sodankylä pensable. When we were faced with the evaluation of Finland’s native species, pub- In 2010 Finland’s national parks Hailuoto ...... 16 900 Nuuksio ...... 178 000 Visitor centre Korvatunturi threat of funding cuts amounting to mil- lished in December 2010, also showed how welcomed around 1.96 million visitors, Hautajärvi ...... 7 500 Oulanka ...... 169 000 Customer service point Boosting biodiversity lions of euros, as part of a wider drive to such work is urgently needed to combat the whose spending brought in income to the Hossa...... 40 400 Pallas–Yllästunturi ...... 436 000 Pyhätunturi and natural values ...... 6 reduce public spending, we received ex- ongoing decline in biodiversity. surrounding areas worth an estimated Häme ...... 14 500 Patvinsuo ...... 12 000 Rovaniemi Hautajärvi tensive backing in Parliament from all par- Preserving valuable natural features is 108.9 million euros. Considering the costs Ivalo ...... 11 000 Perämeri ...... 9 500 Etiäinen Oulanka ties. This backing is also reflected in posi- also vital for Finland’s expanding nature of running their facilities, this corresponds Kalajoki ...... 31 800 Petkeljärvi ...... 20 500 Kuusamo Creating jobs tive comments sent to us by MPs for inclu- tourism. Our customer surveys show that to an overall 7-time payback. Karhuntassu ...... 34 700 Puurijärvi–Isosuo...... 7 000 Karhuntassu around Finland ...... 10 sion in this report. the main reasons visitors come to national These economic impacts are calcu- Kellokas ...... 70 100 Pyhä-Häkki ...... 16 500 Kemi Sweden Syöte Russia We also received support from busi- parks are their landscapes and wildlife. lated using methodology devised by Kiehinen ...... 47 200 Pyhä–Luosto ...... 119 000 Hossa ness, organisations promoting physical ed- We have every reason to believe that af- Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services Kilpisjärvi...... 9 800 Päijänne ...... 13 500 Making the most of Finland’s ucation, trade unions, non-governmental ter Metsähallitus’s reorganisation following and the Finnish Forest Research Institute Koilliskaira...... 13 300 Repovesi ...... 76 500 Hailuoto Oulu natural assets in 2011 ...... 11 organisations, and local and regional au- the parliamentary elections in April 2011 we on the basis of data on visitor numbers Korpoström ...... 21 000 Riisitunturi ...... 23 500 thorities around Finland. should be able to carry on with our work to compiled by Natural Heritage Services, Korvatunturi ...... 7 100 Rokua ...... 23 500

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