Finland launches major nature restoration projects to halt biodiversity loss

Finland’s state-owned forest and park service, Metsähallitus, is restoring thousands of hectares of wetlands, forests, and waterways this year in an effort to combat biodiversity loss and prepare for the EU’s upcoming nature restoration law, Yle reports.

The measures include restoring 1,300 hectares of peatlands, rehabilitating 21 kilometres of streams, and removing invasive species. The goal is to improve habitats for endangered species such as the freshwater pearl mussel and migratory fish.

Key projects by region

In South Karelia, restoration continues at Siikalahti, one of Finland’s most important inland bird lakes, where overgrowth threatens the ecosystem.

In Tavastia Proper, the Kalevansuo peatland will be fully restored this autumn by blocking drainage ditches and flooding previously forested areas.

Central Finland will see the rehabilitation of Heikinpuro stream in Salamajärvi National Park, part of ongoing efforts to repair damage from past land use.

Lapland is restoring wetlands and streams in Kolarin Kattilajärvi and Sodankylä’s Kirakkaoja, while controlled burns will revive forests in Riisitunturi and Martimonaapa.

In Pirkanmaa, a dry pine forest in Ylöjärvi’s Pitkäkangas will be restored through a five-hectare controlled burn.

Ostrobothnia will establish new grazing lands on Halsön island, while North Karelia continues long-term peatland restoration in Kesonsuo, including ditch blocking and tree removal.

North Ostrobothnia is restoring the Livojoki river system, once heavily modified for timber floating, to improve conditions for freshwater pearl mussels and migratory fish. The project includes rewetting dried-up channels and creating 500 spawning sites.

Northern Savo will remove invasive species, restore traditional meadows, and rehabilitate 128 hectares of peatlands in Tiilikkajärvi National Park’s expansion area.

In Southwest Finland, overgrown traditional landscapes in Uusikaupunki’s Kulju will be cleared to prepare for sheep grazing in 2027.

The EU’s nature restoration law requires member states to restore at least 20 percent of land and marine areas by 2030. Finland’s projects aim to meet these targets while protecting key biodiversity sites.