Helsinki’s new Nature Conservation Area Programme will protect a total of more than 100 new land and sea areas across the city. The programme will double the protected area in land areas and increase it by tenfold in marine areas.
In Helsinki, nature is a part of everyday life – and always close by. Almost 40 percent of the city’s land area is covered by various types of green areas, from forests and meadows to urban parks, making Helsinki an exceptionally green capital. In addition, the sea is everywhere: more than two-thirds of Helsinki’s total area comprises the sea, and the city has over 300 islands.
The City of Helsinki’s new Nature Conservation Area Programme 2025–2038 was approved on 23 June 2025 and includes more than 100 new land and inland water areas to protect the city’s significant nature values. In addition to safeguarding the diversity of species and habitats, the nature conservation areas ensure the preservation of recreational and hiking opportunities for residents.
The new Nature Conservation Area Programme includes 98 new land and 22 new marine areas throughout the city to be protected by 2038. This will increase the area of protected areas to approximately 10 percent of both Helsinki’s land and sea areas, meaning the programme will double the protected area in land areas and increase it by tenfold in marine areas.
“Helsinki is a green and maritime city, so we want to protect our green, marine and recreational areas for our residents also in the future. Our goal is for nature reserves to offer nature experiences to as many people as possible, and we plan to invest increasingly in nature reserve routes and interesting nature observation sites,” says Miira Riipinen, Director General of Environment Services at the City of Helsinki.
With the new Nature Conservation Area Programme, Helsinki as a city will voluntarily implement the country-specific target of the EU’s biodiversity strategy, according to which one third of the targeted 30% of protected land and sea areas will be strictly protected.
Helsinki facts
– Almost 40 percent of Helsinki’s land area comprises various types of green areas
– More than two-thirds of Helsinki’s total area is sea
– Ten percent of Helsinki’s land and sea area is to be protected by 2038
– The area of protected land areas will double and the area of sea areas will increase tenfold compared to today
– Protection will safeguard the city’s significant nature values, the diversity of species and habitats, and the preservation of recreational and hiking opportunities for residents
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