Finland’s hundreds of thousands of forest-owners can receive personal advice on how to manage their forests from local forestry associations, regional forestry centres, forestry service providers and forest industry companies. Such advice can include practical recommendations concerning forest management methods, how to sell timber, how to plan for future income obtainable from growing forests, and opportunities related to the protection of valuable forest habitats or landscapes.
Forestry plans provide forest-owners with useful information on the different ways that forests can be managed and utilised. They describe the present state and value of each area of forest, as well as targets for forests’ future productivity and utilisation, and projected incomes.
In addition to goals related to timber production, forestry plans also include objectives related to other uses of forests and the preservation of their valuable ecological features and landscapes. Forest-owners can themselves help to shape these plans and the targets they contain. Plans for individual forest holdings are typically drawn up for periods of 10 years, by local forestry associations, regional forestry centres, forestry service providers or forest industry companies.
Metsähallitus, the authority responsible for managing forests and protected areas owned by the Finnish State, draws up natural resource plans covering all state-owned lands and waters, including forests. Such plans are prepared in close consultation with local residents and stakeholders
© Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
