Linnunsuo Site

About

Snowchange Cooperative

Funding support: Not confirmed

Number of staff: 2

Number of visitors per year: 500-1000

Overall aims of the centre

There is no centre yet, the Linnunsuo wetland is located at the heavilydamaged Jukajoki catchment area, but has emerged as a major wader habitat, currently the best in Finland, with significant Arctic migratory geese and ducks present as well as other species.

Description of the centre

Snowchange Cooperative coordinates activities of the restoration of the Jukajoki catchment area. We have created one (1 hectare) man-made wetland units, with plans for 40-50 around the catchment area this decade. The Linnunsuo site, owned by VAPO company, is the biggest site on the catchment area:

Size 120 hectares, with ponds of 60 hectares. Nationally relevant wader habitat, co-managed with local villages and science Rarities such as Terek Sandpiper and other waders, such as wood sandpiper (tringa glareola). Nesting site of Northern Pintail (anas acuta). Total 120-150 species of birds visit.

Apr. 500-1000 visitors currently, while facilities and funds are being located, 2010-2014 2,5 million euros spent on restoration activities and science. Location: Village of Selkie, North Karelia, Finland

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Work Areas

Main CEPA work areas

Linnunsuo site and the Jukajoki project has received local, national and international attention, being also featured as a best practice in the UNEP 2014 Yearbook. We give tours and interviews about the site and project weekly.

Local schools, universities and polytechnics are heavily involved in the work. Starting October 2014 a major US natural documentary film will be shot on the site and catchment area. Project webpages in Finnish at http://www.lumi.fi/jukajoen-ja-jarven-valuma-alueen-kunnostushanke-pohjois-karjala/

Close cooperation with local bird watching organisations and nature conservation groups as well as hunters and fishermen. Next steps include securing funds for this decade to continue the restoration work and establishment of a centre.

Top three successes

Jukajoki catchment are suffers from a rare problem of heavy iron soils, that human land use has made worse.

Fish deaths of 2010, 2011 triggered a massive restoration project, led by the villagers themselves, including their traditional ecological knowledge. It is central to the efforts to keep the restoration activities running.

Creation of wetland habitats and units seems to simulate the lost marsh-mires of the catchment area, as the Linnunsuo site testifies.

Top three challenges

Inclusion of traditional local knowledge in all aspects of projects and collaborative management efforts to influence land use.

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Expertise

Interpretation techniques

Creating signage; site information; Producing written materials; Using audio-visual tools; Developing nature trails

Visitor centres

Setting up a new visitor centre; Managing / creating habitat; Running a visitor centre; Building / maintaining structures

Participation

Engaging hard-to-reach groups; Engaging young people; Engaging the local community; Working with volunteers

Education and communication

Early years education; Delivering adult education; Working with primary schools; Lobbying / running campaigns; Working with secondary schools; Developing resources / materials

General

Auditing / assessing effectiveness; PR and marketing; Running effective administration; Fund-raising; Project planning.

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