A joint task force from Finland's Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Defence will investigate how nature restoration can be coordinated with defence interests, particularly in eastern Finland. This is stated in a press release from the Ministry of Defence.
According to the press release, measures such as restoring mires or leaving storm-damaged forests intact can create natural obstacles in the terrain. At the same time, these measures are expected to help halt the loss of biodiversity. The task force is part of the work to develop a national restoration plan linked to the EU's regulation on nature restoration.
– Nature offers solutions that enhance security and increase the resilience of the entire society, says Minister of the Environment and Climate Sari Multala.
The task force plans to initiate a pilot project in border areas and assess restoration possibilities on military training grounds. According to Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen, there is potential to combine environmental and security objectives.
– Restoring the terrain conditions in the eastern border areas can simultaneously benefit both biodiversity and defence, says Häkkänen.