Nature Heritage Foundation receives conservation area donation in Kokemäki, Finland

The Nature Heritage Foundation has received a conservation area from Kokemäki in Satakunta that features a diverse range of natural habitats. The donated land includes the remnants of an old farmhouse, of which only the foundation remains. The farmland previously associated with the house has evolved into a small meadow rich in tall grasses, now nestled within a forest and gradually turning into a grove.

“This beautiful forest area has been donated to the Nature Heritage Foundation for permanent protection in memory of Tauno and Lempi Kiuru,” stated the heirs of the estate in an announcement. The protected area will be named Salonpää.

Spanning 1.5 hectares, the donation is relatively small but showcases significant biodiversity. “While we typically aim for larger conservation areas, we also accept smaller donations,” said Juho Hakkarainen, the foundation’s communications director.

Founded in 1995 by fisherman Pentti Linkola, the Nature Heritage Foundation focuses on preserving nature, particularly endangered forests. The foundation acquires natural areas through donations and ensures their permanent protection under nature conservation laws. Currently, the foundation oversees 220 protected areas, totaling nearly 5,500 hectares across Finland. For instance, there are 13 protected areas in Satakunta.

This year, the Nature Heritage Foundation has reported a record number of area donations, exceeding ten, compared to eight last year. Additional land donations have come from Central Finland, Kanta-Häme, North Ostrobothnia, and North Savo.

Hakkarainen noted that donors are increasingly motivated to protect nature through land donations, emphasizing that conservation is a collective responsibility and that many wish to secure their forests permanently through the foundation.