Sheep grazing transforms Vaasa area into pollinator haven

A large area in Vaasa’s Gerby district has flourished into a meadow teeming with bees and birds, thanks to years of sheep grazing, reports Yle.

The city has used sheep to maintain the Omenapuupuisto park area since 2018, turning overgrown land into a diverse habitat that attracts pollinators and birdlife. The animals provide continuous upkeep, unlike mechanical mowing, which occurs only a few times per season.

This year, however, the pastures stand empty. Vaasa has been forced to take a one-year break due to resource constraints, relying instead on manual mowing and labor. The city plans to resume sheep grazing next summer, pending funding.

Simo Marttila, the city’s project coordinator, notes the area’s biodiversity has grown significantly, with wildflowers like red clover, oxeye daisy, yarrow, and harebell now thriving. The site also includes deadwood and nest trees to support bird populations.

Sheep grazing has gained traction in Finnish cities as an ecological method for maintaining valuable meadows and semi-natural biotopes. Tampere, Jyväskylä, Kemi, and Kokkola already use sheep for similar purposes.

ProAgria North Finland’s landscape and nature management expert Kalle Hellström explains that these environments, once common, have become rare as agricultural practices changed and many areas were abandoned. Sheep are particularly effective on rough, rocky terrain, suppressing scrub growth and even aiding in initial land clearing.

While sheep have been tested for controlling invasive species, results vary. Marttila observes that sheep will eat invasive plants, but less palatable species like giant hogweed are consumed only as a last resort.

Looking ahead, Vaasa aims to expand the meadow and incorporate targeted wintering sites for pollinators if grazing resumes.