for the nature reserve on the southern shore of Porvarinlahti bay.
Varisluodonkari outcrop is located between Tahvonlahdenniemi cape and Varisluoto islet in Varisluodonlahti bay in Laajasalo. It is included in the new City of Helsinki Nature Reserve Programme 2025–2038.
Threatened and viable habitatscan be found on the Varisluodonkari outcrop. The islet covers an area of 0.16 hectares. It is one of the regionally important bird areas in Uusimaa and one of the important bird areas in Helsinki. Vegetation grows in zones on the islet, ranging from the coastal plain to a sparsely wooded forest dominated by pine in the middle.
No recreational use, trails or paths are planned for the area. Nature management measures on the Varisluodonkari outcrop are focused on maintaining the area as a natural bird nesting site and controlling invasive species. In order to protect the nesting of birds on the islet, the protection regulations prohibit landing on the islet and approaching within 25 metres of the islet during the main nesting period from 1 April to 15 August.
New management and use plan for the nature reserve on the southern shore of Porvarinlahti bay
A management and use plan has been prepared for the nature reserve on the southern shore of Porvarinlahti, established in March.
No large structures are planned for the nature reserve. The aim is to keep the recreational use of the area as nature-friendly as possible. Movement will be concentrated on Tryvikintie running through the area and on guided paths in wooded areas. A bench will be placed along Tryvikintie for nature observation. Signposts will be placed along the edges of the nature reserve, and destination signs will be installed in the most important areas to explain the history, nature and ancient relics of the area.
The nature reserve in the southern part of Porvarinlahti bay has a wide range of natural values and contains several endangered habitat types as well as habitats covered by a European Union directive. Porvarinlahti bay is part of the national programme for the protection of waterfowl habitats and is covered by the Mustavuori grove and Östersundom waterfowl habitat Natura 2000 area.
The management and use plan focuses on preserving the conservation values mentioned in the Nature Reserve Programme, i.e. the forest and shore areas, which are invaluable for their flora and fauna, preserving the forested protection zone between the harbour and the Porvarinlahti bay waterfowl habitat, and safeguarding the conservation values of the waterfowl habitat.
The Urban Environment Committee’s Environment and Permits Sub-Committee will discuss the proposal for the protection of Varisluodonkari outcrop and the management and use plans for Varisluodonkari outcrop and Porvarinlahti bay at its meeting on 18 December 2025. The City Board will then decide on submitting an application for the establishment of a nature reserve to the state nature conservation authority based on the proposal by the sub-committee.
