Metsähallitus – fostering natural values responsibly across generations.

The purpose of the inventory is to identify and protect primary and old-growth forests in accordance with the EU Commission definition and national criteria. Once state-owned forests have been inventoried, Parliament will decide on the areas to be protected on the basis of a government proposal.

According to the report, the system of protected areas works well. However, many species are endangered, threats due to climate change are increasing and resources available for management are declining. The protected area network managed by Parks & Wildlife Finland plays a particularly important role in halting the decline of Finland’s biodiversity.

Metsähallitus has published an outdoor etiquette for the Homeland in cooperation with various actors in the Sámi Homeland. The etiquette called “These Lands are our Children” is based on the natural resource plan for the Sámi Homeland.

Plans are in place for over 6000 MW of offshore wind power in the territorial waters managed by Metsähallitus. The most advanced project is the wind power project planned by Vattenfall and Metsähallitus off the coast of Korsnäs, for which the environmental impact assessment is currently underway. Partners are being sought for two other projects, and their environmental and land surveys will continue this summer.