Give back to local nature
The Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation has initiated a unique conservation project together with Visit Salla.
The purpose of this campaign is to purchase, restore and conserve a forested area of over thirty hectares along the Salla Oulankajoki river with support from both tourists and regional enterprises. What makes this campaign special is the ability of donors to target their support to their chosen type of nature keep track the progress of the conservation efforts.
Give back to local nature – leave your green footprints here in Salla!
About the campaign
A diverse nature area along the Salla Oulankajoki river, in the Kalliokoski area, was chosen as the campaign destination. This is a 33-hectare forest situated on both sides of the river, including an old-growth coniferous forest, a 90-year-old pine and mixed wood forest, a pine mire to be restored, an open fen, a peatland meadow, as well as a flooded forest and a spruce mire.
The donation can be targeted at one’s chosen habitat. By visiting the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation’s website, donors can keep track of how much money has been donated to each nature type and see how the project is progressing.
The target for the campaign is to collect the money needed to buy the forest, to cover the restoration and management costs. There are, for example, some old forest drainage ditches in the area, which are planned to be filled. Giving the opportunity for tourists and other parties to participate in the restoration efforts, will be considered as the project progresses.
It is important to take actions that simultaneously slow down climate change and prevents biodiversity loss.
“For a long time, Visit Salla has been looking for a way for tourists, businesses, and everyone else to take part in the protection of diverse local nature. We are excited to initiate this campaign together with the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation”, says Salla Tourism Manager Paula Aspholm.
Why should I donate?
We are all needed in slowing down climate change and halting biodiversity loss.
By supporting the campaign, you will:
- Take part in active nature conservation
- Support the restoration of habitats that host the Siberian Jay, Capercaillie, and other northern species
- Ensure the increase of carbon stored within the forest biota and peatlands
It is important for us to save the unique wilderness nature in Salla for future generations. We want to play our part in ensuring that all woodland creatures can enjoy good living conditions in the future as well. We want to promote sustainable tourism and challenge you to protect the nature of Salla!
Donations can be made on the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation’s website. By clicking the link below, you will be taken to the forest protection campaign page on the website of the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation.
Protect the local forest in Salla
How much should I donate?
We have put together some examples of potential donor categories. Do you relate to one of them? You can of course, donate as much or as little as you like!
The nature in Salla stays close to your heart. You visit Salla regularly or even live here. It is important for you to conserve the local nature for future generations and to ensure that the forest animals can have a good life aswell.
Donation amount: €20 to €100
You are visiting Salla from farther away, maybe from another country. You arrive by airplane, ride a snowmobile around the fells, ride in a reindeer or dog sled, rush down the downhill ski slopes, stay comfortably in a cozy cabin, and enjoy local delicacies. You want to leave a positive mark in Salla and compensate for your trip in a local way.
Donation amount: €50 to €100
You come to Salla with your own car or via public transport. You ski to Ruuhitunturi fell, go for a hike in the new Salla National Park, sneak after birds in the tundra, pick cloudberries on the wetlands, or catch graylings by the Tuntsajoki river. You want to enjoy the wilderness life in the future as well!
Donation amount: €20 to €50
You reach the destinations of the world, enjoying what they have to offer, digitally. Borders do not limit you! You may have discovered Salla by accident or on purpose, but once you visit our website, you would like to experience our region in person. Nature is close to your heart, and you are happy to send some money from your virtual wallet to support our forest destination.
Donate the amount you want:
What is the basis for the operations of the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation?
The Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation promotes environmental protection and the conservation of nature areas. By using donations from citizens, businesses, and communities, the Foundation acquires suitable land areas and then applies for the legally binding conservation of these.
The Foundation buys forests for conservation from all over Finland, although primarily from Southern Finland, since that is where the protection of forests is the most lacking. Valuable forests may include herb-rich woodlands, untouched spruce mires, or heathland forests with decaying wood. The forest may include trees and forest patches of different ages and types, as well as special natural formations, such as springs with their own microclimate.
Protecting forests prevents biodiversity loss. In Lapland, the Foundation owns protected areas in Inari, Enontekiö, Sodankylä, Kolari, Kittilä, Posio, and most recently in Salla.
The Foundation was established in 1995. It is a non-profit public benefit purpose entity with the defined foundational task of establishing and maintaining nature conservation areas. The most important values for the conservation efforts are protecting the most endangered parts of nature, maintaining the diversity of life and emphasising the meaning of the beauty and wildness of forests for us humans.
More information about the campaign and responsible tourism in Salla
Campaign page – The Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation
