Metso Programme
The Metso Programme guides the protection of areas with conservation value located on private property, which is decided on the basis of the landowner’s ambitions and the nature of the site.
The Metso Programme offers various options for forest owners: permanent protection, temporary conservation, and forest nature management projects. The protected forest locations can include natural forests and various habitats, such as herb-rich forests and heathland forests with high biodiversity values.
The nature conservation projects are aimed at increasing or maintaining the natural value of the protected locations or returning the forest to a more natural state. The forest owner is compensated for the financial loss resulting from the conservation. The Metso sites are excluded from commercial forestry activities for the duration of the conservation agreement, but they can still be used for measures that are intended to maintain or improve the natural value.
The Metso Programme is widely accepted by forest owners, operators in the forestry sector, and nature conservation organizations, and the general opinion regarding the results of the programme has been positive.
Metso sites are located in privately-owned forests throughout the country. More information about the programme can be found on the website metsonpolku.fi (also available in English)
Owner of the site
The sites protected by the Metso programme are located on private land. The Finnish Forest Centre and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment in Finland are responsible for the inclusion of sites in the programme.
Additional information
Irmeli Ruokanen, [email protected]
Partners
The Metso sites are funded by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Forest management associations and the Finnish Forest Centre can advise interested forest owners on the process.
