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PAST PROJECTS
Natural pastures project 2019-2023
Natural pastures enhance biodiversity, from soil microbes to birds and large mammals. Grazing in these landscapes demonstrates how food production can work in harmony with nature while preserving traditional rural landscapes. Well-managed natural pastures sequester carbon and nutrients in the soil, helping combat climate change and reducing water pollution. They also benefit animal welfare and create new market opportunities for farmers to monetise their environmental stewardship. The natural pastures project was launched by the Trust in 2019, partnering with The Association of Natural Pasture Meat Producers, who now continue this work.
Project JÄRKI – Environmental Advice for Farmers and Policy Support 2009-2018
This initiative identified and promoted practical solutions for agricultural water management and biodiversity enhancement. Operating from 2009 through two five-year phases, JÄRKI worked at the grassroots level, engaging directly with farmers, advisors and regional officials to address challenges within existing agricultural systems. Through an influential steering group, insights from the field were conveyed to policymakers, bringing fresh perspectives to discussions on water management, biodiversity and rural recreation. JÄRKI was funded by the Sophie von Julin Foundation, the Louise and Göran Ehrnrooth Foundation, the Ministry of the Environment and the Rural Development Programme.
Game and environmental subsidies project 2011-2018
At the end of 2011, the Nature and Game Management Trust launched a project aimed at harnessing the multiple benefits of managing agricultural biodiversity. The project identified key bottlenecks that prevent effective environmental subsidy programs and developed solutions for the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) period. The proposed approaches were incorporated into the 2014-2020 rural development programme. The 2014 final report outlined strategies for enhancing agricultural biodiversity cost-effectively while supporting conventional farming operations.
Grey Patridge Project – Agricultural Biodiversity Enhancement
This project identified and promoted sensible measures to improve agricultural water management and enhance biodiversity in nature. Launched in 2007 by the Nature and Game Management Trust, the initiative focused on restoring the native grey partridge population across Finland. In collaboration with hunters and landowners across the country, the project aimed to strengthen the local grey partridge in various regions. The long-term goal is to re-establish huntable populations of the original native subspecies within its historical range. Beyond field conservation efforts, the initiative supported breeding programs for the native subspecies and provided expertise on game bird management. This work implemented Finland’s national grey partridge management strategy, developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
A Grey partridge Management Guide for Finland (in Finnish) was published as a book by the Trust (Mykrä & Väänänen, 2008).
