Preserving and restoring endangered forest species in Southern Finland requires larger and better-connected protected areas than currently exist, which also act as carbon stores and sinks in mitigating climate change. At the same time, the rapidly growing interest in hiking and outdoor activities calls for new areas for recreational use.
Background
The state of forest nature has deteriorated significantly due to intensive forest use, and more than 800 forest species have been classified as threatened. The preservation and restoration of the endangered forest species, particularly in Southern Finland, requires larger and better-connected protected areas than currently exist. The conservation of the remaining old-growth forests is carried out by many actors, including the popular METSO programme. The Nature2100 Fund approaches the matter from a different perspective, complementing the conservation of old-growth forests. The idea behind the fund is that by systematically promoting and ultimately safeguarding the diversity of existing young forests, we can build a diverse forest ecosystem for future generations.
The fund also aims to promote the rapidly growing recreational and outdoor activities that improve well-being, while creating carbon sinks and storage to mitigate climate change.
Operation
The Nature2100 Fund acquires forest areas that are suitable for its objectives in terms of location and structure. Acquisitions focus on areas at the edges of and between existing protected areas, such as national parks, to increase their size, connectivity, and both conservation and recreational value.
The fund's primary area of operation is Southwest Finland, but it can also acquire forest areas elsewhere if they meet the above criteria, including location.
In principle, the fund's forests are left to grow undisturbed towards their natural state. This development can be accelerated by restoration or reforestation. Research-based management measures that promote biodiversity (e.g., favouring mixed tree species or rare species) can also be applied in the fund's forests. The measures can be planned and implemented fully or partially as student projects with the help of experts, simultaneously training future experts familiar with forest ecosystems for various fields.
The forest areas to be acquired will be selected on the basis of how they will benefit recreational, research and educational uses. The fund will ultimately donate the areas it acquires to the state as protected areas when this supports their intended use, the conservation of biodiversity, and the improvement of recreational opportunities.
