Search

Forest Biodiversity Programme for Southern Finland (METSO) Voluntary forest protection by landowners is particularly important in Southern Finland where the network of national parks and other nature reserves is not as developed as in other parts ...

METSO Programme exceeded targets for permanent protection, good progress in environmental subsidies and nature management in 2025 6.3.2026 10.19 In 2025, about 6,600 hectares of forest habitats were protected under the Forest Biodiversity Programm...

Helmi Habitats Programme – safeguarding biodiversity through cooperation The Helmi Habitats Programme, run jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and Ministry of the Environment, strengthens the biodiversity of Finnish nature and secu...

6.3.2026 | In 2025, about 6,600 hectares of forest habitats were protected under the Forest Biodiversity Programme for Southern Finland METSO. Last year Finnish forest owners protected permanently about 3,200 hectares of forest and concluded ten-year environmental forestry subsidy agreements concerning about 3,400 hectares. The area covered by nature management works was about 180 hectares.

Strategies and programmes The National Forest Strategy contains the key outlines of Finland’s forest policy. It also serves as a statutory forest programme. “The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry prepares a National Forest Programme in cooperat...

Biodiversity Biodiversity refers to the entire spectrum of life: genetic variation within species, the abundance of species and the diversity of their habitats. Halting the loss of biodiversity is a global target. Biodiversity in sustainable use a...

Biodiversity and protection Ecological sustainability is strengthened by protecting biodiversity and the factors influencing the functioning of ecosystems. Diverse and healthy forests create the ecological foundation on which all management and us...

Other strategies and programmes Besides the National Forest Strategy , Forest Biodiversity Programme for Southern Finland METSO , Climate Plan for the Land Use Sector and Finnish Bioeconomy Strategy , policies and measures related to the forest se...

Forests Forests are a renewable natural resource as well as a source of economic and social welfare. Forests have a central role in Finland’s nature and its diversity. Sustainable use and management of forests define the principles of forestry in ...

Biodiversity in commercial forests The management of commercial forests plays a key role in fostering biodiversity, as some 90 per cent of Finland's forests are available for wood production. The ecological sustainability of commercial forests is ...

Protection of forests in Finland In Finland, national parks and strict nature reserves constitute the basic framework of the nature conservation network. Other areas dedicated to biodiversity conservation include, inter alia, strictly protected zo...

Latest press releases RSS (Opens New Window) (Opens New Window) European forest ministers: Sustainable forest management must be strengthened and Ukraine’s recovery supported Type: Press release Publication date: 3.6.2026 13.25 European forest coo...

18.2.2026 | The Helmi Habitats Programme has enhanced the understanding of ways to improve the state of nature and created an important foundation for the preparation of the National Restoration Plan.

30.6.2025 | FORESTS AND FORESTRY IN FINLAND June 2025 MMM | FORESTRY IN FINLAND FOREST IS ONE OF THE DOMINATING ELEMENTS OF FINNISH NATURE measured by the proportional share of forest land makes Finland the most forested country in Europe. In total, 20.3 mill...

27.5.2021 | On May 27th 2021 the Government adopted a resolution on the Helmi habitats programme that extends until 2030. The programme includes 40 actions for accelerating the restoration, management and protection of different habitats. The Helmi programme is a significant package of measures for halting biodiversity loss in Finland.

4.7.2024 | FOREST BIODIVERSITY AND PROTECTION July 2024 MMM | FOREST BIODIVERSITY AND PROTECTION FORESTS ARE HABITATS WITH ABUNDANT SPECIES Of all plant, animal and fungus species in Finland, around 2/5 are found in forests. Finland is estimated to be home t...

21.2.2019 | In its resolution today, the Government adopted the updated National Forest Strategy approved by the Forest Council in December. The vision and objectives of the Strategy, originally approved in 2015, remained primarily unchanged, but the project portfolio was updated to correspond to changes in the operating environment. The strategy now takes into account measures to safeguard climate sustainability and forest biodiversity more clearly than before.

1.10.2015 | METSO – The Forest Biodiversity Programme for Southern Finland The METSO Fact sheet was published by the Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry JO U N I K LI N G A METSO Fact sheet / May 2015 The Forest Biodiversity P...

13.1.2016 | National Forest Programme 2010 – Multiple Use of Forests National Forest Programme 2010 – Multiple Use of Forests Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 2006 Publication: National Forest Programme 2010 – Multiple Use of Forests Publisher: Ministry o...

6.6.2019 | NATIONAL FOREST STRATEGY OF FINLAND AIMS FOR GROWTH OF OVERALL WELFARE2025 NATIONAL FOREST STRATEGY 2025 2 UPDATED VERSION OF THE STRATEGY TAKES NEW EXPECTATIONS AND NEEDS INTO ACCOUNT The strategy aims for overall sustainability and takes into ac...