Nature reserves and natural monuments

Nature reserves safeguard the diversity of species and habitats and ensure the preservation of national landscapes, cultural heritage, recreational and camping areas. They are established on the basis of national nature conservation programmes. Private landowners can apply to either the Economic Development Centre or the Finnish Supervisory Agency for a decision to establish a nature reserve on their land. Nature protection areas that have already been established can be viewed on the Finnish Environment Institute’s Open Data service.

A tree, a group of trees, a boulder or other natural feature can be protected as a natural monument under the Nature Conservation Act. In Siilinjärvi, individual trees have been protected as natural monuments. Private landowners can apply to the municipality for the protection of a natural monument. The preparation of matters relating to the protection of natural monuments and the termination of protection is the responsibility of the environmental protection manager of the municipality of Siilinjärvi.

Conservation and Nature reserves in Siilinjärvi:

The oldest nature reserves, which were protected in the 1970s, are Jussila’s rich fen (about 2.6 ha) on the Siilinjärvi-Maaninka esker section and Honka-Jälä peatland (about 5 ha) north of Lake Honka-Jälä.

In Siilinjärvi, 4 separate areas of breeding and migratory value for birds have been protected in Lake Kevätön (approximately 207 ha in total). The designation is based on the national programme for the conservation of important bird areas.

The Tarinaharju-Patakukkula area, where the Tarinaharju Nature Reserve (about 22.4 ha) has been established, is part of the national esker conservation programme.

In the Southern Finland Forest Biodiversity Programme (METSO), private landowners have also applied for Forest conservation in Siilinjärvi. The aim of the restoration is to halt the decline of forest habitats and species and to establish favourable trends in forest biodiversity.