In the remote and captivating wilderness of Salla, East Lapland, Finland, conservation efforts have gained new and exciting momentum as the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss become increasingly pressing. Local organizations like Matkalle Sallaan ry, in partnership with the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation, are leading the charge to protect Salla’s unique natural environments. The “Give Back to Local Nature” campaign exemplifies how tourism and conservation can seamlessly blend, offering visitors and locals the chance to contribute to preserving these vital landscapes. In this interview, Heli Karjalainen, Communications and Membership Coordinator of Matkalle Sallaan RY sheds light on the campaign’s significance, the collaboration with the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation, and the various ways people can get involved—whether through financial contributions, hands-on restoration work, or raising awareness. This initiative safeguards the environment and champions sustainable tourism honouring and nurturing the natural world.
SKAL Europe: Good morning, Heli. Thank you for joining us today. Could you start by telling us about your role at Matkalle Sallaan ry and what the organization is all about?
Heli Karjalainen: Good morning! It’s a pleasure to be here. I’m Heli Karjalainen, the Communications and Membership Coordinator at Matkalle Sallaan ry. Our association is a collaborative effort between various tourism businesses, companies indirectly involved in tourism—like markets, hardware stores, and clothing shops—and the Salla municipality. We work together to promote Salla as a year-round holiday destination in East Lapland, Finland, emphasizing the natural beauty and unique experiences our region offers. We are particularly excited to be participating in the SKAL International 2024 Sustainability Awards, which gives us a platform to share our conservation efforts with the global SKAL community.
SKAL Europe: Salla certainly sounds like a remarkable place. Could you elaborate on what makes Salla’s natural environment so special?
Heli Karjalainen: Salla is indeed a place of extraordinary natural beauty. We are fortunate to have two national parks—Oulanka National Park, which we share with Kuusamo, and Salla National Park. The landscapes here are incredibly diverse, ranging from lush green forests in Southern Salla to the rugged wilderness of Naruska and Tuntsa in the north, where rolling fells stretch as far as the eye can see. Our tourism activities are deeply connected to this diverse environment, and we aim to provide visitors with authentic experiences rooted in our history and traditions. Our slogan, “In the Middle of Nowhere,” perfectly captures the essence of Salla as a tranquil, remote retreat surrounded by pristine nature.
SKAL Europe: That sounds wonderful. I understand that Matkalle Sallaan Ry has recently launched the “Give Back to Local Nature” campaign in collaboration with the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation. Could you tell us more about this campaign and its objectives?
Heli Karjalainen: Yes, we’re very excited about this campaign. The “Give Back to Local Nature” initiative is a collaborative project between Matkalle Sallaan Ry and the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation. Our goal is to purchase, restore, and conserve a 33-hectare forested area along the Salla Oulankajoki River in the Kalliokoski area. This area is home to a variety of habitats, including old-growth coniferous forests, a 90-year-old pine and mixed wood forest, a pine mire that needs restoration, an open fen, a peatland meadow, as well as a flooded forest and a spruce mire.
What makes this campaign unique is that donors can choose which specific type of habitat they want to support. This way, they can feel directly connected to the conservation effort. The Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation’s website allows donors to track the progress of the campaign, see how much money has been raised for each habitat, and stay updated on the restoration efforts. We’re thrilled to be showcasing this project as part of the SKAL International 2024 Sustainability Awards, where we hope to inspire others within the SKAL community to engage in similar sustainable initiatives.
SKAL Europe: That’s a very targeted and transparent approach to conservation. How can people get involved in the campaign, and why is it important for them to do so?
Heli Karjalainen: There are several ways to get involved. Of course, financial contributions are essential, and donations can be made directly through the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation’s website. Every donation helps us move closer to our goal of purchasing the forest and covering the costs of restoration and ongoing management.
But involvement isn’t limited to financial contributions. We also offer opportunities for people to participate directly in conservation activities. For example, we’re hosting a restoration event on September 3, 2024. This event will allow volunteers to contribute physically by shovelling and filling in old drainage ditches on the nature compensation plot, helping to restore the area’s soil. The day will begin at the Arctic Circle in Hautajärvi, where experts will discuss Salla’s unique nature, the environmental changes we’re facing, and the importance of responsible tourism.
This hands-on participation is a great way for people to give back to nature, even if they’re unable to make a financial donation. It’s a chance to connect with the land and contribute to its preservation in a very tangible way.
SKAL Europe: It’s inspiring to see such a comprehensive approach to conservation, combining financial and physical contributions. What is the broader significance of this campaign, especially in terms of climate change and biodiversity?
Heli Karjalainen: The significance of this campaign goes beyond just preserving a piece of land. It’s about taking concrete actions that slow down climate change and prevent biodiversity loss. By supporting the restoration of these habitats, we’re not only protecting the home of species like the Siberian Jay and Capercaillie, but we’re also ensuring that the forest and peatlands continue to sequester carbon. This is crucial for mitigating climate change.
Moreover, this campaign highlights the importance of sustainable tourism. We want to show that tourism and conservation can go hand in hand. By promoting and supporting projects like this, we’re helping to protect Salla’s unique wilderness for future generations, ensuring that the natural beauty and biodiversity of the area are preserved. Our participation in the SKAL International 2024 Sustainability Awards underscores our commitment to these values and allows us to share our success and strategies with a global audience.
SKAL Europe: It’s clear that the campaign has a significant environmental impact. Could you tell us more about the role of the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation in this initiative?
Heli Karjalainen: The Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation has been a vital partner in this initiative. Established in 1995, the Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to environmental protection and the conservation of natural areas across Finland. They acquire land through donations from citizens, businesses, and communities, and then apply for legally binding conservation status for these areas.
The Foundation has been particularly focused on protecting forests, especially in regions where conservation efforts are most needed, like Southern Finland. The forests they protect vary in type, including herb-rich woodlands, untouched spruce mires, and heathland forests with decaying wood. These areas are crucial for maintaining biodiversity, providing habitat for a wide range of species, and ensuring that natural processes continue undisturbed.
In Lapland, the Foundation owns protected areas in several regions, including Inari, Enontekiö, Sodankylä, Kolari, Kittilä, Posio, and now, most recently, Salla. Their work is invaluable in preserving the natural heritage of these areas, and we’re proud to partner with them on the “Give Back to Local Nature” campaign.
SKAL Europe: The Foundation’s work sounds crucial for conservation efforts in Finland. Finally, Heli, what message would you like to leave our readers with regarding this campaign and the importance of conservation in Salla?
Heli Karjalainen: I would like to emphasize that we all have a role to play in conservation. Whether it’s through a financial donation, participating in a restoration event, or simply spreading the word, every action counts. By supporting the “Give Back to Local Nature” campaign, you’re not just helping to preserve a piece of land—you’re contributing to the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss.
Salla’s wilderness is unique, and it’s up to us to ensure that it remains so for future generations. I encourage everyone to get involved in any way they can. Together, we can make a real difference and promote sustainable tourism that respects and protects our natural environment. Our involvement in the SKAL International 2024 Sustainability Awards is a fantastic opportunity to showcase these efforts and inspire others within the SKAL community to take similar actions.
SKAL Europe: Heli, thank you so much for sharing the story of Salla and this important campaign. It’s truly inspiring to see such a strong commitment to preserving the environment. We wish you and the campaign all the best.
Heli Karjalainen: Thank you! It was a pleasure to share our story, and I hope it inspires others to take action in protecting the natural world, wherever they may be.
