Photo: Jari Salonen (Kurjenrahka National Park)

Outdoors

Popularity of national parks increasing: New and renovated sites attracting more visitors

The number of visits to Finland’s 41 national parks is steadily increasing. A total of 2.3 million visits to national parks were made from January to July in 2023. The number of visits increased by 2% year-on-year.

Denning of the critically endangered Arctic fox successful for the second consecutive year: at least 25 Arctic fox cubs were born in Finland in the summer

During their den checks, Metsähallitus inspectors found that Arctic foxes had successfully denned this summer in the fell areas of Utsjoki and Enontekiö. The Arctic fox is a critically endangered species in Finland, and the continuation of conservation work is vital to the recovery of the population.

Outdoors

New digital services encourage people to explore nature

National Parks Finland is a unit of Metsähallitus, now developing a national digital service that brings together different actors’ destinations, routes and services related to outdoor activities. The aim is to help people find suitable outdoor activities more easily. The new application and online service will be available to everyone in 2024, free of charge.

Outdoors

In the future, the Outdoor etiquette for fishers and hunters will be followed in state-owned areas

Hunters and fishers are expected to observe the new Outdoor etiquette in Metsähallitus fishing waters and hunting areas in the future. The Outdoor etiquette emphasises respect for the catch or game, nature, and other people enjoying nature. Approximately 200,000 hunting and fishing permits are purchased for state-owned areas each year.

Responsibility

Promoting diversity and equality is part of our strategy

With our diversity, equality and non-discrimination plan, we ensure that human rights are respected in our activities. Through the measures set out in the plan, we are building a more diverse work community and eliminating discrimination in our employer activities and in the services that are intended for our customers, partners and stakeholders.

Climate Change

This year we plant 17 million seedlings

Our goal is to increase the carbon sink of multiple-use forests and the carbon stock of state-owned land by 10 % by 2035. Key measures for increasing carbon sequestration and building up the carbon storage in forests include increasing fertilisation and using selectively bred cultivation material for forest regeneration.

Wind Power

Metsähallitus to launch tendering processes for Pyhäjoki-Raahe and Närpiö offshore wind farms

Tendering processes will be launched after the state administration and local municipalities have made the remaining decisions related to the preparations of the projects. The opening will be announced separately later this year.