Protecting Biodiversity in Finland

Protecting Biodiversity in Finland

Project location
Arctic Lakelands & Helsinki
Project period
September 15, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Contact person
Tatjana PetersTatjana Peters

Sponsor
Visit Finland

Twelve bachelor's students at Harz University of Applied Sciences are developing recommendations and measures for the protection and preservation of biodiversity in two Finnish pilot destinations based on previous analysis steps.

Protecting Biodiversity in Finland

Project Objectives

  • Protection and preservation of biodiversity in Finnish destinations

  • Reduction of negative impacts caused by tourist activities in Finnish destinations

The Futouris Industry Project ‘Biodiversity in Tourism’ Forms the Basis

The project with Visit Finland ties in with the Futouris industry project ‘Biodiversity in Tourism’, which aims to maximise the contribution of tourism to the preservation and restoration of biodiversity in tourist destinations, reduce negative impacts and embed concrete measures in all processes of the core tourism business.

As part of the industry project, Futouris is working with the nature conservation organisation WWF Germany and the consulting agency mascontour. WWF Germany is producing a practical guide to support tourism businesses in developing their individual biodiversity strategy and action plan. Seven Futouris pilot companies (tour operators) are developing their individual biodiversity strategy and action plan based on various practical checks described in the guide.

12 Students Develop Recommendations for Action for Finnish destinations

As part of the project with Visit Finland and Harz University of Applied Sciences, twelve bachelor's students studying tourism management are developing recommendations for action to preserve and protect biodiversity and reduce negative impacts in Finnish destinations.

Divided into two groups, the students are working through the steps described in the WWF guide for the two participating pilot destinations, Arctic Lakelands and Helsinki. For example, the relevant interest groups for each destination are being identified and the main negative impacts of tourism activities on biodiversity are being analysed and evaluated.

On this basis, the students are developing appropriate recommendations for action and working out concrete measures, which will be presented to the destinations in a final presentation.

Project Activities

The following activities are planned

  • Lectures with representatives from Visit Finland and Futouris for Bachelor's students.

  • Students carry out various analysis steps.

  • Recommendations for action are derived based on the analysis results.

  • A concrete measure is developed for each region.