End of August and September bring an international week devoted to the boreal peatlands. A major 450 hectare forest-peatland complex secured in Muonio, Northwestern Finland. Sámi restoration burns enabled recovery of a forest in Ivalo.
As we head to September, major international week of boreal peatlands commences. Both the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme and the Climate Breakthrough initiative head to Finland for major exchange on conservation and restoration of peatlands as well as inclusion of boreal communities into the work. Over 30 delegates will review and visit Snowchange restoration landscapes, discover Karelian culture associated with peatlands and enjoy the revitalized rune singing of Koitajoki. Delegates are expected across Europe, USA, Alaska, Canada and the UK.
In rewilding news the peatland restoration proceeded both in the Arctic Circle and in Koitajoki with Kivisuo peatland completed and Petäjäsuo peatland headed for completion. In Muonio, northwestern Lapland, over 450 hectares of sub-Arctic forests, peatlands and three kilometers of a trout river of Mustijoki were included into the Landscape Rewilding Programme bringing the total of owned lands to 8200 hectares. A busy Autumn still awaits and several sites are on the go.
Sámi restoration burns took place in in the ICCA site of Alttokangas, led by the Sámi traditional owners. Snowchange and Sámi teams burned logged patches, inventoried last years burn sites and reviewed Sámi knowledge of fire. This flagship Arctic restoration of boreal forests will continue with expanded burns and monitoring efforts in 2026.
Fisheries are emerging from the hiatus of very warm summer temperatures. Seining has commenced in Selkie and a large delegation of Snowchange fishers visited Oura archipelago and Reposaari island in Pori on a community-to-community exchange. Baltic herring and sea eagles supported the visits.
