Finland’s only female game management chief warns of megaproject risks

Jenni Pirinen, Finland’s only female regional game management chief, is concerned that planned data centres and wind farms could affect wildlife habitats and game populations, Yle reports. The effects of the projects are not yet well understood.

Pirinen, 36, oversees game populations and sustainable hunting in the Oulu region. She works with authorities, organisations and landowners, and says that changes in forest management can affect wildlife numbers. She began her role at the Finnish Wildlife Agency about two years ago.

A planned data centre in Vaala could affect an important calving and migration area for forest reindeer. An environmental impact assessment for the project is under way and will examine its effects on the species. Pirinen says forest reindeer in the area must be monitored closely.

Several data centres are planned in North Ostrobothnia. Google is also planning a data centre in neighbouring Muhos, where extensive forest clearing for a separate project took place before an environmental impact assessment.

Data centres permanently occupy large areas and wildlife habitat, while wind power projects may have effects over a wider area, according to the article. Wind turbines, roads and power lines can create disturbance zones, particularly in wilderness areas. Turbine blades also pose a collision risk for birds. The Finnish Hunters’ Association says environmental assessments should consider local features, including forest reindeer in Vaala.

Pirinen has hunted since earning her hunting card at 12. She says the natural environment, rather than the prospect of a catch, is what draws her into the forest. She has five hunting dogs and four freezers, including some for storing raw food for the dogs. Her partner also hunts.

Pirinen hopes more people will take up hunting. She says hunting skills are important from a national defence perspective and that people learn to move in the forest by spending time there.