The foundation aims to complement the permanent protection network of valuable forests. The initiative for protection is taken by the forest owner, who can receive financial compensation for the site, the protection of which supports national biodiversity goals.
“The Forest Protection Foundation’s first protection round has started and protection applications will be accepted from March 5 to April 30, 2026. If your forest has features worthy of protection, fill out the protection application form on the foundation’s website,” the foundation’s representative Shaheena Turak says.
Forest owners should propose forest sites for protection if their permanent protection benefits forest species by safeguarding their habitats. The ecological characteristics of the site, such as a rich species diversity, an environment that is different from ordinary commercial forests, old trees or abundant and diverse dead wood, influence the decision to protect.
Ecosystems with varying nutrient levels or water regimes, which increase the diversity of the area, are also selected for protection. Habitats created by disturbances, such as forest fires, can also be selected for protection.
Shaheena Turak encourages forest owners to submit protection applications as soon as possible so that they can be included in this year's protection round.
Instructions for making a protection application and information on the progress of the protection process can be found on the Forest Conservation Foundation's website metsansuojelusaatio.fi. Once the foundation and the landowner have entered into a protection agreement, a private protection area is established for the site by decision of the authorities.
The aim of establishing the Conservation Foundation is to strengthen the state of nature in and outside commercial forests.
The Board of Directors of Metsäliitto Cooperative has granted the conservation foundation a capital of one million euros and a funding mandate of 10 million euros for the coming years. The conservation foundation is also actively seeking funding partners to join the foundation's operations. All donations will be directed directly to conservation work.
