The Metsähallitus natural resources plan for Central and Northern Ostrobothnia has been completed. Key aspects highlighted in the plan are the responsible and sustainable use of natural resources, the vitality of regions as well as adapting and preparing for climate change. The planning approach involving extensive participation and based on creative cooperation is also unique when compared with the methods used by other European forestry administrations.
Facilitating economic activities and well-being
State-owned land and water areas provide plenty of opportunities for strengthening the vitality of the regions and promoting both people’s and nature’s well-being. The plan, which was produced in cooperation with nearly 30 stakeholders, will steer Metsähallitus activities in the regions’ state-owned land and water areas over the next five years. The results of the cooperation group workshops made up of stakeholders as
well as other participation in accordance with the State-owner’s objectives formed a strong foundation for an action plan spanning from 2018 to 2023.
Business opportunities will be actively developed and an effort will be made to create the best conditions for entrepreneurship. The supply of wood will be increased to 33,000 cubic metres a year. The increase will be made possible by increasing intermediate felling. Around 0.96 million cubic metres of trees will be felled annually in multiple-use forests during the programme period. The amount is approximately one half of the annual growth.
Nature tourism will be promoted by responding to the growing demand for national parks and other popular natural areas and at the same time guaranteeing the areas’ sustainable use. The conditions for entrepreneurs in the wilderness industry will be improved by offering versatile hunting and fishing opportunities. The development of tourism areas will be supported by continuing plot sales and rentals especially in the Koillismaa area.
Reindeer husbandry will be taken into account in the reindeer herding area as specified in the agreement entered into by Metsähallitus and the Finnish Reindeer Herders’ Association.
The well-being and health benefits brought about by nature will be promoted by developing wilderness and recreational use services.
Biodiversity will be promoted and steps will be taken to prepare for climate change.
The results of the workshops held by cooperation groups as well as other participation formed a strong foundation for the action programme, which will span from 2018 to 2023.
Preparation for and adaptation to climate change will be implemented in a number of ways by maintaining the carbon binding quality of trees at a good level and by increasing the about of carbon bound by the forests, by seeing the health of forests and maintaining road as by drawing up a climate change preparation an adaptation plan for the network of protected areas.
Biodiversity will be promoted by targeting management and care, as well as other ways to protect species and habitats cost-effectively. An update project for landscape ecological planning will be carried out during the planning period. More decaying wood and sturdy deciduous trees will be added to multiple-use forests, as this is important for species. An action plan for nature management will be drawn up for multiple-use forests, which will include numerous measures such as the management of areas in which game live and the removal of all obstacles preventing fish from migrating.
Special felling will be used in places where biodiversity, recreation and game management are areas of focus. The land area on which special felling will be carried out will be increased moderately on the basis of experience, Comprehensive felling will be the principle option used in non-productive peatlands. The Kylmäluoma hiking area is being developed for example into a model area for spelling fellings, Forest management investments will be cut for non-productive peatland growth areas. The plan aims at a good state of both marine and inland eater areas and an increase to biodiversity using various methods.
The implementation of the natural resources plan will be monitored yearly. A new natural resources plan will be drawn up for the area in 2023.
Further information:
Project Manager Tuulikki Halla, Metsähallitus, tuulikki.halla(at)metsa.fi, tel. +358 (0)40 595 8943
Development Manager Johanna Leinonen, Chair of the natural resource planning steering group, Metsähallitus, johanna.leinonen(at)metsa.fi, tel. +358 (0)40 730 9114