Administration

	Grove meadow.  Photo: Tapio Heikkilä

The Ministry of the Environment has overall responsibility over the Finnish Environment Institute. It is also responsible for the overall supervision of the nature conservation activities of Metsähallitus and The Finnish Forest Research Institute.

The Ministry of the Environment works to safeguard biodiversity and scenic values, while ensuring well-functioning ecosystem services and sustainable natural resources.

The Finnish Environment Institute serves as a national centre for environmental research and development.

The 15 Regional Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment organise, oversee and promote nature conservation work in their respective regions. They contribute to the preservation of biodiversity by protecting and managing valuable and threatened biotopes and species. They also promote the sustainable management of landscapes and the environment, and encourage the recreational use of natural areas.

Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services manages most nature reserves on state-owned land, along with other protected areas, wilderness areas and outdoor recreational areas, and is thus responsible for the monitoring and protection of many threatened species.

The Finnish Forest Research Institute manages certain nature reserves within its own network of forest research sites.