Datenbank der Projekte zur ländlichen Entwicklung
Profitable Environmental Entrepreneurship
Summary
Nature and landscape management was promoted and improved through cooperation between local entrepreneurs, municipalities and private companies in south-western Finland.
Background
Nature and landscape management is an emerging sector. Given that there was a growing demand for this type of services, ProAgria the leading agricultural expert organisation in Finland, wanted to strengthen cooperation in this sector and initiated the project that handled a total of 18 landscape management sites on lands owned by municipalities and power grid companies.
Objective
The aim was to develop and increase nature and scenery management.
Main activities
The authorities looked for local entrepreneurs to take over the management of 18 scenery management areas owned by five municipalities and two electric companies in the region. The entrepreneurs were responsible for the restoration of fields and meadows, which had been neglected until then. The goal was to create open scenery and increase biodiversity through grazing, scything and clearing.
Results & Benefits
Clearing the overgrown heaths increases the survival rate of false heath fritillaries, a rare and endangered butterfly species. The restoration of key scenic areas also creates a visibly more pleasant environment. The cooperation networks formed during the project provided both the entrepreneurs and the client with increased opportunities to make their operations profitable. The project was nominated for best development project of the year in the Best Practices 2010 competition.
Lessons learnt
Due to the sites being small they should be combined into a more extensive network to make the work profitable for both the client and the rural entrepreneurs. It was the first time that electric network companies used management methods that promote biodiversity of nature in scenery management.
Project location and other information
Pirkanmaa in south-western Finland
Region
Pirkanmaa
RDP Territory
Mainland
Total project cost (€)
140 139
Contact name
Riikka Söyrinki
Telephone
+358 40 744 7231
Languages for contact
English, Finnish
At a glance
Country
Finland
Final beneficiary type
Non-farm or non-forest entreprises, Other
Budget range
€100 000 - €500 000
Start date:
01/08/2008
End Date:
31/07/2011
Theme / Measure:
Rural Quality of Life & Economic Diversification
Improving quality of life in rural areas
323. Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage
Keywords:
Grazing, Biodiversity, Sheep, Landscape, Entrepreneurship
Last update
19/08/2013