Nature advisors are present in Uutela throughout the summer season 2025 both on weekdays and weekends. The advisors talk to visitors and remind them of responsible activities in nature and in the nature reserve, if necessary. Visitors can also respond to a field survey, which the City is using to collect further information on guidance in the recreational use of the area.
“Initial experiences have been positive, and people usually want to chat with us for a while. Many people have been happy to see us there and said that guidance services were actually needed in Uutela,” say nature advisors Piia Launiainen and Lassi Heinilä.
“It is important to tell people about nature and the rules concerning outdoor activities in nature. It is good to remind people that cutting trees is not allowed and that making fires is not part of everyone’s rights,” says Stara Nature Supervisor Mari Ahrenberg.
“Nature reserves and recreational areas in Helsinki attract many people. It is bound to impact nature, which people do not always think about,” Ahrenberg says.
Uutela, with a surface area of nearly 150 hectares, is a popular outdoor activity area in Vuosaari. Currently, Uutela contains three nature reserves and the Skatanniemi area, the protection of which is being prepared. In addition to this, the City is currently making decisions on the new Nature Reserve Programme in Helsinki, which contains proposals for the protection of three new areas in Uutela.
Nature guidance in Uutela is a pilot project commissioned by the City of Helsinki Environmental Services and implemented by Stara Environmental Management’s nature services. Stara also works in collaboration with the active local nature association Pro Uutela as well as Helsinki Vocational College.
Groups on outings in Uutela are welcome to talk to the nature advisors. They can be contacted in advance by email to book an appointment in the area. You can find their contact details on the webpage for the Uutela outdoor recreation area.