Dredging at Nuorajärvi begins to revive declining waterbirds

Work at Nuorajärvi in Kämmenniemi begins on 1 September and will run until 31 March 2027, aiming to expand open water and create nesting islets for waterbirds. Local daily Tamperelainen first reported the plans.

Dredging will widen open water by about 1.7 hectares. New breeding islands are being built to help endangered species such as the common pochard and the black-throated diver. Nuorajärvi is a nationally valuable Natura 2000 site; its waterbird populations have declined since the 2000s because of lake overgrowth and rising numbers of mesopredators. The black-headed gull disappeared from the area in 2003.

Sediment will be removed by dredging, and spoil will be taken to fields outside the protected area. The Inland Finland Centre for Economic Development is coordinating the project and selecting contractors. The restoration is part of the Priodiversity LIFE project and the Helmi habitat programme, both aimed at strengthening Finland's biodiversity.

The Nuorajärvi work follows earlier local measures to improve bird habitat. Spring fyke-net fishing at Iidesjärvi has been used to reduce internal nutrient loading and boost birdlife Iidesjärvi spring fyke-net fishing. This year Tampere startups and volunteer groups supported restoration with seed-growing and other habitat work local seed-growing and habitat work.