What is the Suomen Metsä organization?
Suomen Metsä is a charity organization established in 2022, aimed at safeguarding Finland’s forests. In collaboration with the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation, we will ensure all donations go directly to the protection of the forests. Suomen Metsä is 100% non-profit as the entire donation sum is used to buy forest for reservation. The areas acquired are in Southern Finland, where there are the fewest nature reserves in the country.
By donating, you support in protecting the largest attainable forest areas. Donations are collected from organizations, businesses, and individuals – anyone can donate! Through various projects and events that Suomen Metsä organizes, we bring people together and raise awareness towards our common goal. In 2023, Suomen Metsä organized its first event, a welfare cycling, where close to 120 people and more than a dozen partners participated.
Areas Protected by Suomen Metsä ry
The protection of the diverse Pähkinämäki forest is Suomen Metsä’s first and a significant addition to conservation efforts in Uusimaa. The old forest, covering just over seven hectares, includes a variety of natural habitats: dry and moist groves, herb-rich heath forests, and fresh heath forests.
The new conservation area’s tree population is impressively abundant. The forest features sturdy spruces and pines, as well as a considerable number of deciduous trees, including maple, aspen, birch, and both grey and black alder. As the forest’s name suggests, there is also a plentiful presence of hazel shrubs. Additionally, there is a gratifying amount of deadwood.
Our events
Suomen Metsä’s next event is the art exhibition “Red-Listed”, highlighting the theme of endangered and extinct species in Southern Finland’s forests. The exhibition will take place 10.6.–10.8.2025 at the Natural History Museum, located in the heart of Helsinki. Later in Autumn “Red-Listed” will be exhibited in the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation’s Ikimetsägalleria in Hämeenlinna.
The collection features hand-printed linoleum cut artworks by Suomen Metsä’s own Creative Director, professional artist Sebastian Björkman. In an inspiring act of generosity, Björkman has donated the entire collection to support nature protection efforts. The artworks are available for purchase throughout the duration of exhibitions and 100% of the proceeds will go directly to the Finnish Forestry donation account. All donations are vital in helping to safeguard Finland’s precious forests and their biodiversity.
We organized a new cycling event to Porvoo in 2024, but unfortunately, we had to cancel it due to weather conditions. However, some of our team took on the challenge and cycled the entire distance in heavy rain!
Suomen Metsä organized a welfare cycling from Helsinki to Hanko on the 27th of May 2023. The route, which spanned more than 150 km, was designed so every participant got to experience the beautiful and unique nature of southern Finland, which also was the focus of the cycling.
Close to 120 cyclists were sent off by the Mayor of Helsinki, Juhana Vartiainen, in front of Helsinki central library. When the cyclists arrived in Hanko 9 hours later, they were welcomed by a heartwarming speech by the former Mayor of Hanko, Denis Strandell.
The team behind it all
We are not defined by traditional professions or scientific backgrounds; rather, our mission is to proactively contribute to a better future, and more. Operating entirely on a pro bono basis, we do not seek financial compensation for our efforts.
While each team member maintains a primary professional commitment, we concurrently develop Suomen Metsä with unwavering dedication and goodwill. Bellow is a picture taken of the team from last years event.
Founder & Partnerships
Robbie Ekblom, Jr.
Chairman
Henrik Rouhesmaa
Operations
Katariina Latvala
Marketing
Nicolas Lampenius
Treasurer
Martti Koivisto
Creative Director
Sebastian Björkman
IT INfrastructure
Alexander Nyberg
UX Design
Anton Nordlin
Our partners
We are deeply grateful to our partners: without you, our operations would not be possible.
Our partners share our values and are equally motivated to protect our environment.
Anyone can apply to become a partner! However, we strongly require the same values: nature conservation must be really important to you, and greenwashing will not be tolerated.
Our partners help e.g. with a common goal, organizing events, support or visibility. Of course, you can also suggest ways in which you would support our activities.