Another big event where the project results were presented was the Green Belt of Fennoscandia Dialogue Forum in Kuusamo, Finland on November 18-20. Over 70 experts from Russia, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Germany took part in the Forum. The event was organized by the Ministry of the Environment, Finland.
The project team took an active part in the Forum. The Lead Partner (Karelian Research Centre) was represented by A. Titov, N. Mikhailova, A. Vasilieva, O. Kislova, the Institute of Biology – by O. Kuznetsov, N. Ilmast, Kostomukshsky Strict Nature Reserve – by V. Ipatova, O. Shakleina, Finnish Environment Institute – by R. Heikkilä, and Republic of Karelia Regional Protected Areas Directorate – by D. Maksimov.
A talk on the project (“Using the natural resources and the historical and cultural heritage of the Green Belt of Fennoscandia for its sustainable development”) was given at one of the Forum best practice sessions. Information about the project progress and results so far was presented.
The Forum participants had a chance to visit the Oulanka National Park, take part in theme group discussions of proposals for the Green Belt of Fennoscandia development strategy, and attend a poster session. A thematic session devoted to the development of joint projects was organized on the last day of the Forum.
For more detailed information please visit the Finnish Ministry of the Environment website, and the European Green Belt website
After the Forum, the project leader and project manager visited the site in the Muezersky District where small infrastructure is being built for hunters, fishermen and tourists. Most of the structures are already in place (pavilion shelter, lean-to roof, water access point, toilet, wildlife watching towers, etc.). Construction of the log cabin for hunters and fishermen is underway and expected to be completed by the end of the year.
