Concrete actions for biodiversity
CONABI project - Concrete actions for biodiversity in the North Karelia Biosphere Reserve along the Fennoscandian Green Belt
Project consists of series of workshops that offer training and know-how on specific topics and always contain concrete actions to conserve or improve biodiversity. Project organizes 15 full day or two-day workshops with local villages and communities. Aim is to involve especially young people to concrete environmental work. Workshop topics vary from making biochar to preventing invasive species from spreading, creating living environments for birds and insects to planting seedlings and building traditional wooden and stone fences. As a result of the workshops, also a network of sites presenting concrete environmental actions will be created. Network will be utilized in environmental education and monitoring the effects of actions in the future. Project is carried out in close co-operation with North Karelia Biosphere Reserve area.
Tackling invasive species
Workshops for tackling invasive species were organised in Tuupovaara, Mäkikylät (Ilomantsi) and Nurmijärvi (Lieksa). In Tuupovaara and Ilomantsi sleeves we rolled up and shovels and scythes swung. CONABI project, which promotes biodiversity, provided guidance on the topic, followed by practical work. The result was great, even though the rainy weather stirred up the work a little. In Lieksa volunteers built mink (neovision vison) traps to catch this invasive species that is dangerous especially for waterbirds.
Homes for birds and insects
Workshop in Ilomantsi made places to bee and birds. Participants made birdhouses and unique insects hotels, places for bees and insects. Some were taken home but example structures were also left on site for everyone to see and get inspired. Creating living environments for the birds and insects is important for our nature. Workshop was done in co-operation with Vaara-Karjalan kulttuuriyhdistys!
Keeping local traditions alive
Traditional Eastern Finnish style fence was built in the workshop of the CONABI project in the courtyard of the Pielinen Museum in Lieksa. Next to the main gate of the museum, under the guidance of director Timo and by the participants, an excellent section of fence was completed. Many participants already have plans to build their own fence during the coming summer.
In another workshop the traditional stone fence surrounding the church yard in the centre of Ilomantsi was renovated. The stone fences are seen as a iconic part of Finnish traditions. Traditionally it has been labourous work to clear farm lands from stones and stone fences can be found in such places. Fences has been also used to keep the cattle away from fields. Stone fences are a sign of human culture.
Increasing biodiversity
The project included workshops with small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata). We planted about 700 seedlings together with several villages; Mäkikylät, Vieki, Mätäsvaara and Pilkekylät. Small-leaved lime used to be much more common in the area, but due to human actions and changes in climate it is now rare. Small-leaved lime produces fiber (linden) that has been used in old times as a material for ropes and nets. Increasing the number of small-leaved limes will bring much-needed diversity to the region's forests.
Fennoscandian green belt is the Northest part of the European Green Belt
Stretching from the northern tip of Europe through Central Europe to the Black, Ionian and Adriatic Seas, the European Green Belt reveals highly impressive and fragile landscapes and is home to the natural flora and fauna typical of the regions along its route. Passing through many different regions and countries, the European Green Belt presents itself in many different ways, due to the immense political, biological and socio-economic diversity of the different countries.
During the Cold War, tensions on both sides of the former Iron Curtain changed the world. Yet nature along the border was protected from major changes. The border created a unique continuity of natural habitats which span the length of the European continent. Now it is our shared task as a European community to secure peace and to protect Europe's longest green network – so that nature and humankind can grow together.
The European Green Belt Initiative is committed to this mission.
North Karelia Biosphere Reserve
The North Karelia Biosphere Reserve is a functional platform for local citizens, actors and entrepreneurs that promotes sustainable development in the region by supporting activities that maintain and strengthen people's relationship with nature, biodiversity conservation, and the development of responsible livelihoods. The North Karelia Biosphere Reserve’s task is to seek local solutions to global challenges in collaboration with the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.The North Karelia Biosphere Reserve officially consists of Lieksa city, Ilomantsi municipality and Joensuu city's Tuupovaara district. The whole Eastern border of the biosphere area is the Fennoscandian Green Belt. The Biosphere actions are coordinated by the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and The Environment for North Karelia.
