Keski-Suomi - Protection of valuable bird-rich wetlands in Central Finland

The project aimed to implement 10 rehabilitation plans for the birdlife habitat in Finland (1300 ha), of which six would be prepared by the project. The project drew up 10 restoration plans, 6 for bird lakes and 4 for mires. Two management plans (Heinä-Suvanto and Kulhavuori) were also achieved through co-operation with the major stakeholders. Landowners support for the restoration actions was gained through a series of public meetings. The acquisition of nearly 1000ha of land for nature conservation was achieved. This land mainly consisted of aapa mires, transition mires and bog woodland & also to small extent boreal forests (Western Taiga). The project also restored 9 bird lakes in the 5 project areas. 8 bottom dams were dredged of 10,1 ha in 5 areas. There are already signs to suggest that bird populations, i.e. black headed gulls, have benefited from the restoration initiatives. In 4 project areas the bird lakes were mowed. Restoration work was also conducted on 330,6ha of mires, which exceed the target of 200 ha. The beneficiary carried a series of dissemination activities e.g. print and broadcast media. Finally, birds monitoring, vegetation, mire butterflies, bottom fauna, insects in bird lakes was undertaken.