Research Cooperation of Metsähallitus
For what purpose does Metsähallitus need research results?
Metsähallitus is responsible for the conservation and monitoring of many threatened and species and species protected by EU directives and the monitoring and care of biotopes. Most of the protected areas in Finland are managed by Metsähallitus. For Metsähallitus to make the best and most practical decisions in these respects it needs more factual information based on research.
However Metsähallitus is not a research institute and therefore we need to work together with research institutes and universities. Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services is already working as a partner in projects the Finnish Forest Research Institute, the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute, the Finnish Environment Institute and some universities are carrying out. The network of research partners could be much broader though.
To best research and monitor nature conservation projects, cooperation with organisations has to span a long period and be continuous. Research institutes working on government budgets are best able to offer such continuity. Short-term research teams at universities can bring new innovative ideas to the table, which is exactly what investors expect from them.
Metsähallitus drew up a nature conservation research strategy in 2003 to emphasize the importance of this line of work. The strategy outlined the most important research needs and the benefits researchers get from working with Metsähallitus.
More information