Pirkanmaa tourism and conservation groups urge state to keep Seitsemisen nature centre under Metsähallitus
Pirkanmaa tourism and nature groups have asked Environment Minister Sari Multala to keep the Seitsemisen nature centre under state-owned Metsähallitus, arguing a sale would damage conservation, education and tourism despite the centre's modest annual costs.
Pirkanmaan Matkailu ry, Visit Tampere Oy, Ekokumppanit Oy and Pirkanmaan Luonnonsuojelupiiri have petitioned Environment Minister Sari Multala (National Coalition Party) to keep the Seitsemisen nature centre in the Ylöjärvi and Ikaalinen area under Metsähallitus ownership, rather than include it in the government's planned transfer or sale of state nature centres, Tamperelainen reports.
The groups argue continued Metsähallitus ownership would secure long-term development tied to the national park, nature education and tourism. The centre's annual operating cost is only about €30,000. That's modest compared with its long-term value, the groups say. A sale, they warn, would bring little revenue to the state and cause an irreplaceable loss to conservation infrastructure; replacing the facility later would likely cost many times more than maintaining its current role.
A similar debate this year involved proposals to transfer maintenance while Metsähallitus retained ownership, as seen in Ruovesi regarding Siikaneva trails in Ruovesi.
Earlier coverage
Catch the full story over at Tamperelainen
