Pirkkala to raise protected land to 10% by 2030, adding over 100 hectares
Pirkkala plans to add over 100 hectares of new protected land to raise the share of municipal territory under protection to at least 10% by 2030, prioritising larger contiguous forest reserves over scattered small sites.
YLE reports the plan would add more than 100 hectares of protected land and lift the share of protected municipal territory to at least 10% by 2030.
The move follows a wider trend: the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities says several municipalities are increasing both the size and number of nature reserves. In Pirkkala, only 1.6% of municipal land was protected in 2020; the aim is to shift from scattered small sites to larger, contiguous forest areas.
The Regional Centre for Economic Development for Inland Finland this week approved two new protected areas in Pirkkala, the Vähälammin site by the lower Sikojoens and Haikan kartanopuisto, and plans also list Jasperinoja valley, Vadelmakorpi, Karhunvuori and an enlarged Taaporinvuori.
Environment manager Vesa Vanninen said the measures are driven by a desire to strengthen biodiversity and that nature conservation has become a clear priority in the municipal strategy and the mayor’s programme.
Officials argue concentrating new housing along a planned tram route to Partola would allow denser development nearby. That, they say, would help preserve larger, unbroken forest reserves that support conservation goals.
Catch the full story over at YLE
