Regenerative land use supports biodiversity in the built environment

By regenerative land use, we mean strengthening the state of nature in the built environment, especially in areas surrounding our mill sites.

The objective of regenerative land use

Our goal is to create operating models and practices that support biodiversity in the built and industrial environments. We aspire for regenerative land use to expand beyond our production facilities, and our aim is to help establish regenerative land use as an internationally recognized model for strengthening natural biodiversity.

Various biodiversity actions are carried out at our mill sites and in the surrounding areas. The Kemi mill and its surroundings have served as Metsä Group’s pilot site for regenerative land use since 2023. In Kemi, harmful invasive predators have been removed, bird and insect species have been studied, endangered biotopes have been re-established, and 15 hectares of various habitats, such as meadows and sun-exposed areas, have been established using seeds of native plants collected from the region. The operating model also explores how biodiversity-enhancing work can be integrated with industrial production. For example, industrial side streams such as lime sludge are being tested as a growth substrate for meadows.

Biodiversity planning and actions do not change the primary purpose of the areas for industrial production, and the built environment remains functional and safe for its intended use. Regenerative land use is implemented in areas that are not in direct industrial use, such as noise barriers, lawns, and industrial wastelands. The aim is to identify the most impactful and cost-effective solutions and apply them to other mill sites. For example, in Äänekoski, over 7 hectares of meadows were established on noise barriers during the construction of our new Kerto LVL mill.

The planning and implementation of various nature-enhancing projects are carried out together with experts and local stakeholders, such as organizations, cities, and municipalities. The operations are guided by the ten principles of regenerative land use.

Photos from Kemi pilot site

Meadow in the Kemi mill area

Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus) is one of the rarest breeding birds in Europe. The European population is less than 10 pairs and about half of the population breeds in the Kemi mill area.

The collection of local seeds, which started in the summer of 2023, has been done by hand

The aim of hand-picking is to use only seeds from plants of local strains in order to preserve genetic diversity.

Bluntleaf sandwort (Moehringia lateriflora) found in Lapland is a protected species due to its decline

The collected seeds must be dried so that they are preserved for next year's sowing

Species are interdependent. Geranium sylvaticum is an important food plant for the endangered bluewing (Aricia nicias)

The seeds of the collected wild plants are sown by hand in the Kemi mill site

Principles of regenerative land use

Implement solutions that maintain and enhance the native character of the local nature

The key to planning is to analyse and identify the natural characteristics of the surrounding area, its habitats and the natural species adapted to them. The planning will support the habitats of species naturally occurring in the area by reinforcing the habitats typical of the area. The dependence of different species and species groups on different natural resources and resource combinations will be recognised and these features will be created and replicated in the built environment. Populations of native plant species that are genetically representative of a local strain are preferred for sowing and planting.

Support the presence of endangered species in the built environment

Species of conservation concern will be a cross-cutting theme across all habitats and species groups. The presence of endangered species and the maintenance and enhancement of their occurrence is a key planning objective. In situations requiring an official permit, regulatory permits and conditions will be applied. Vegetation planning will recognise the importance of plant species that are food plants for threatened insect species.

Safeguarding the local and culture-historical importance of the site

The aim of the planning is to identify the species that have been present in the area at different times as an asset. Those conservation, in addition to biodiversity, is a means of enhancing the local historical significance of the area. Plant species of cultural and historical value may be ancient species, archaeophytes, that spread in the early 17th century or earlier, or neophytes, new species that spread later as a result of human activity.

Identification and conservation of species reflecting local industrial history

Industrial sites inhabit species that have been transported to the site by industrial activity, for example, as seed deposits with soil. Industrial activity also creates habitats to which certain species are adapted. These species are part of the species to be maintained on the industrial site and are recognised as part of the local cultural history. The industrial history of the site will be demonstrated as part of a locally developed biodiversity complex. In Kemi, such species include the Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus) and the Wood Cow-wheat (Melampyrum nemorosum).

Prevent invasive alien species in line with national targets

The prevention of invasive alien species found in the area will be carried out on a planned and case-by-case basis. In the case of plant species, prevention will be carried out and monitoring will continue in order to prevent possible new occurrences and minimise damages. Invasive animal species populations will be controlled and monitored through active cooperation within local communities.

Identify and safeguard ecosystem services in the area as municipal services

Planning will identify locally important ecosystem services and guide nature-based solutions to deliver practical benefits to local residents and other users. Built environment nature solutions and urban nature play a wide range of roles as a living environment for people. Nature solutions have a key impact on human health, well-being, safety and security, including flood protection, air and water quality, recreation and leisure opportunities. The ecosystem services provided by nature as municipal services can be a significant attraction factor for a municipality.

Creating a sense of community and working together locally

The planning process will engage citizen and local communities through dialogue, community events and concrete projects. Nature reinforcing activities aim to create a spirit of cooperation that is respectful and rewarding for all. Shared action builds a shared positive vision of the future, and relationships with nature are given the opportunity to develop. Private sector biodiversity objectives and measures complement the objectives and obligations of the public sector and environmental authorities.

Supporting and developing nature solutions for environmental education

Planning for implementations with natural solutions in the urban environment that support environmental education. These solutions can be based as much on functionality and play as on information content to support curricular objectives. The local urban environment will be developed as an inspiring environment for experiences and learning for all ages, with an emphasis on stimulating and sensory experiences of nature.

Combining art and culture with science-based solutions to support the natural environment

The planning aims to strengthen the role of nature as a local cultural value. Art will be given the opportunity to be integrated into nature-themed spatial art, and attention will be paid to the visual appearance of the solutions. Nature-themed works may be commissioned or, on a case-by-case basis, open calls may be organised to raise awareness of the plans and their objectives.

Innovating new approaches to the development of regenerative land use

In the built environment, new techniques, methods and approaches for nature management and ecological restoration will be tested and developed to reinforce biodiversity in the built environment. The utilisation of industrial by-products will enable the innovation of new growing mediums. Adequate experience of the different solutions will allow the mainstreaming of best practices. Experiences with novel nature solutions will be documented and described in a transparent way so that other actors in Finland and abroad can benefit from the lessons learned in the process.