The nature advisers are present in the areas both on weekdays and weekends. You can identify them by their green nature advisors’ vests. The advisors chat with visitors and remind them of the ground rules of responsible activities in nature and the protection regulations in place in nature reserves. Groups coming to Uutela can contact the nature advisers in advance by email to arrange a guidance session. The contact details of the nature advisers are available on the Uutela Outdoor Recreation Area’s website.
Nature activities require guidance, especially in the summer season
Biodiversity is safeguarded through nature reserves and guidance on recreational activities. Both Uutela and Kallahti are popular maritime outdoor recreation areas, and nature reserves have been established in both areas. Nature trails with signposts allow visitors to learn more about the nature in the areas. The unbroken forest and coastal areas attract visitors even from further away. These high visitor numbers can easily leave a mark on nature.
“We learned last year in Uutela that many outdoor enthusiasts are not aware that campfires are only allowed at the area’s official campfire sites, at the Nuottaniemi and Niemenapaja cooking shelters and at the Uutela hut. We saw disposable barbecue grills on the rocks and cleared up unauthorised campfires almost on a daily basis,” says Piia Launiainen.
Last year's experience showed that nature guidance services are an effective way to guide the visitors. People are happy to stay and chat with the nature advisers and are delighted by these encounters.
“This spring, it has been a pleasure to see that many visitors have learnt to practise litter-free outdoor activities,” says new nature advisor Samuel Suomalainen.
Checklist for smart outdoor activities
- Starting a fire is not part of every person's rights. You can only make a fire in places officially designated for it, such as cooking shelters or barbecue sites. Bring your own firewood or charcoal if needed. Do not tear off branches or bark from trees to make a fire, and do not burn decaying wood in the campfire.
- When a wildfire warning has been issued, you may only make a fire in a cooking shelter with a flue, and even there, you must practise extreme caution. Check the Finnish Meteorological Institute's website for warnings in effect.
- Disposable barbecue grills count as open fires and may only be used at the official fire sites.
- Always keep your distance from wild animals and keep any pets on a leash. During the bird nesting season in spring and summer, make sure that your pet does not attack or scare any animals and their young.
- The waste bins of outdoor recreation areas fill up quickly. You can hike without creating litter by packing your food in containers and thermos bottles at home.
- In nature reserves, you should always follow the site-specific protection regulations and any movement restrictions.
- Landing on some protected islands and islets where birds are nesting is completely prohibited during the nesting season (usually from 1 April to 15 August). You must also keep a distance of 25–50 metres from these islets when moving about at sea.
The nature guidance service is commissioned by the City of Helsinki Environmental Services and implemented by Stara Environmental Management’s nature services.