METSO - Forest biodiversity programme for Southern Finland

The forest owners of selected sites are compensated for the conservation. No costs are incurred to the forest owner from the implementation of the nature management projects.

Information on conservation options, selection criteria and compensation is available at Metsonpolku.fi. The website also has information on the objectives and results of METSO as well as contact information for the ELY Centres implementing the METSO programme and the Finnish Forest Centre.

The programme period of the METSO programme will continue until the end of 2025. The Government resolution on the Helmi habitats programme issued in 2021 includes a preliminary decision on the extension of METSO beyond 2025.

Forest diversity is also promoted through research

The METSO programme also promotes the safeguarding of forest diversity through research and development projects. Development projects include improving the safeguarding of endangered species in forestry and methods for the restoration and management of valuable woodland habitats. The projects of the METSO programme always also promote the practical implementation of measures. For this purpose, the projects direct communications to forest owners and forestry operators, organise training and produce guides and other materials.

The research projects of the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) produce information on the quality of the sites protected in the METSO programme and the functioning of the selection criteria for these sites. The Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) promotes the implementation of the METSO programme, for example with materials produced in the Zonation software. Each year, Luke and Syke compile a progress report on the achievement of the METSO objectives.