METSO - Forest Biodiversity Programme for Southern Finland


In October 2002, the Finnish Government made a decision on the Forest Biodiversity Programme for Southern Finland 2003-2007 (METSO). METSO I was an action programme to protect biodiversity in forests in southern Finland.

It contained altogether 17 sub-programs including pilot programs to test new voluntary means for land owners to increase the biodiversity of forests in southern Finland. It is unique in that it depends on forest owners' willingness to undertake conservation measures on a voluntary basis. Read more »

METSO I was also supported by a large research programme, Forest Biodiversity and Monitoring Programme in Finland (MOSSE). METSO is part of Finland's contribution to international agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Ministerial Conferences on The Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE).

Based on the successful results of METSO I a multi-stakeholder working group supported by experts prepared a proposal for Forest Biodiversity Programme for Southern Finland (METSO) 2008 - 2016. It will be submitted to the Finnish Government in February 2008 for approval together with the new National Forest Programme for 2015.

UPM supports the METSO programme

UPM strongly supports the principles and goals of the METSO Programme. The company considers the preservation of biodiversity as a key part of sustainable forest management. UPM has continuously invested in promoting biodiversity in its own forests and forests under its management.

The company has promoted METSO goals in its own operations and participated since 2003 in METSO projects like Lammi cooperation network for forest biodiversity. Further it has provided support, ideas and expert knowledge.

UPM finds METSO 2008 - 2016 as an important step towards creating acceptable and established methods for protecting forest biodiversity. UPM wants to participate in the creation of a new operating culture where nature protection is normal and conflict free part of sustainable forestry.

 
  Legal Notice » © 2005 UPM. All Rights Reserved.