Coastal and inland activities to protect the Baltic Sea – Commitment by Metsähallitus

Organisation: Metsähallitus (konserni)

Time: 6/16/2015 – 12/31/2017

Description:

Metsähallitus manages state-owned land and water areas – 1/3 of Finland’s land area. Metsähallitus commits to the BSAG’s programme for saving the Baltic Sea. Our commitment is twofold and can be summarised as follows:

1. Activities in coastal and marine areas
We produce a “treasure map” of the “best of the best” (in Finnish “helmien helmet”)”, i.e. prime sites managed by Metsähallitus with outstanding marine and coastal nature values worth preserving. We identify sites where pressures may affect these values the most. Furthermore, Metsähallitus launches a series of media events raising awareness for, and involving the public in marine and coastal nature conservation. These new outputs include:
a. Maps showing the distribution of marine biodiversity and the prime sites to be produced by the end of 2016 and published in 2017 as a part of Finland’s centennial jubilee
b. Maps depicting potential pressures, to be published in 2016.

2. Inland activities in catchment areas
We target areas managed by Metsähallitus and in particular those chosen for effective actions. In these areas we:
a. Implement intensified training of personnel and contractors and development in catchment area planning in connection to forest management planning, with emphasis on reducing nutrient leakages to inland waters.
b. Identify specific sites close to lakes and rivers where we, by catchment area planning and improving our forestry practices, can improve water quality and conserve freshwater habitat conditions, and commit to launch the necessary actions in these sites.
c. Monitor results and impacts of water protection activities in forest management.

Main results of achievements will be published in 2017 as a part of Finland’s centennial jubilee including different media events.