Ari Meriruoko, Kainuu Finland Metsähallitus, Natural Heritage Services

Metsähallitus: State forests in Finland State (Metsähallitus) Companies Other Private forest owners

Protected areas in Finland: 37 national parks 19 strict nature reserves 500 other nature reserves -together totaling 17,000 sq km 12 wilderness areas -with a total extent of 15,000 sq km) Private protected areas areas – 2, 329 sqkm Natura 2000 Network -total area sq km (1857 areas )

Legistlation and the principles of management: National Parks, nature reserves and large areas (+1000 ha) can be established on state land only Management is based on the Nature Conservation Act (1996), with main goal to preserve diversity and integrity of ecosystems Recreation for local population and visitors alike is based on Nordic tradition of open access, ”everyman’s right” Nature tourism developed with local entrepreneurs Usually forest activities are not allowed (excluding habitat restoring and biotope management)

Best Practise No: 1 Management is based on: The Principles of Protected Area Management in Finland Guidelines on the aims, functions and management of state- owned protected areas (

Voluntary protection (”METSO” –programm ) METSO is based on a voluntary approach and is valued by forest owners who can decide to include their forests in the programm. Private protection areas: Decision of establishment done by local Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment Best Practise No:2 Compensation for private owners: If private area is going to be protected, the landowner gets compensation: 1. State buys this land property 2. Land can be traded to another, state owned property 3. Money is given to cover economical loss

Best practice No: 3 How to plan and manage to so many areas? Prioritization Regional master plan for Natura 2000 areas Management plan will be done only hotspot areas: Lots of visitors and large scale nature tourism Highly protected, endangered species or habitats Urgent threat to biodiversity -natural reasons -human activities in or neighbouring the area -forestry In Kainuu regional master plan the result of prioritization: 47 areas from 175 are in need of management plan

Best practice No: 4 What is needed for Management plan? A. Lots of background information! -natural recourses -species and habitats -cultural values -landscape values -recreational values -visitor expectations Field inventories+surveys

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B. public acceptance Best practice No: 5 What is needed for Management plan? Planning is done in co-operation with citizens citizens and stakeholders are systematically involved in the planning process: Participatory planning steps: 1.Informing what we are going to do (media) 2.Interactive open meetings 3.Bilateral meetings with specific interest groups 4.Workgroup, workshops 5.Draft plan is made available in the web and other media, comments invited In future: PPGIS?

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Best Practise No:7 Principles for Sustainable Nature Tourism in Protected Areas 1.Natural values are preserved and all activities promote nature conservation. 2.The environment is subjected to as little pressure as possible. 3.Local traditions and cultures are respected. 4.Visitors increase their understanding and appreciation of nature and cultures. 5.Improved recreational facilities are provided for visitors. 6.Visitors are encouraged to enjoy both mental and physical recreation. 7.Local economies and employment are promoted. 8.Publicity materials are produced responsibly and carefully. 9.Activities are planned and organised co-operatively.

Metsähallitus: Lessons learned in RW National parks and regional parks have important role in local /regional development - they work intensively also outside their borders, together with surrounding communities National parks and regional parks are strongly involved into tourism development National parks have created good mechanisms to work together with -private landowners -private companies (not only tourism) -volunteers