The Nature Forum brought together representatives from cities, businesses, research organizations, and the third sector from across Finland to Sibeliustalo on the shores of Lake Vesijärvi.
This year’s theme is “Vitality from Nature.” The goal is to strengthen cooperation and share solutions that promote biodiversity as part of urban and economic development.
The Nature Forum was first held in Tampere in 2024 and for the second time in Espoo in 2025. One of the most significant outcomes has been a joint nature declaration by the mayors of the ten largest cities, which outlines the cities’ commitment to promoting biodiversity.
Photos capturing the atmosphere of the event
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The morning panel discussion examined the challenges and opportunities associated with forest use, as well as the conditions under which vitality can be built within the limits of nature. Johanna Särkijärvi, Director of Growth Services in Lahti, introduced the topic, and participants in the discussion included Anton Riihelä, Youth Nature Delegate 2025–2026; Emma Terämä, Director of a Unit at the Ministry of the Environment; Maria Nyström, ESG Manager at Koskisen Oy; Janne Kotiaho, Chair of the Finnish Nature Panel; and Heli Siitari, Environmental Specialist at MTK.
Pockets full of knowledge: Dialogues on Nature
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Lahti brings together nature, food, and research
The Lahti region is one of Finland’s major hubs for the food and beverage industry, where clean raw materials, high-quality groundwater, a network of companies, and strong research expertise support the development of the food sector.
Natasha Järviö of LUT University, who will be speaking at the Nature Forum, has been appointed Finland’s first associate professor specializing in biodiversity impact assessment. Her research focuses, among other things, on the impacts of food production and consumption on biodiversity.
Commitment to combating biodiversity loss is expanding
A joint nature declaration by Finland’s ten largest cities has increased cooperation among the cities in strengthening biodiversity.
This year, the Finnish Food and Beverage Industry Association (ETL) is joining the cities in their joint nature conservation efforts and will release its own declaration supporting biodiversity at the Nature Forum. The goal is to strengthen cooperation between cities and the food industry, particularly in reducing the environmental impacts of the food system and taking biodiversity into account.
The Construction Industry RT joined the collaboration in 2025 through a separate cooperation agreement and serves as the main partner of the Lahti Nature Forum.
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Municipalities in Päijät-Häme commit to nature goals
A joint nature commitment by the municipalities of Päijät-Häme was announced at the Nature Forum. In the commitment, the municipalities pledge to strengthen biodiversity and take environmental impacts into account in decision-making, land use, services, procurement, and development work.
In Päijät-Häme, nature is a central part of the region’s identity and competitiveness. The municipalities commit to promoting nature-positive development in their own operations in a way that strengthens biodiversity in the long term. Biodiversity is taken into account in decision-making and development work, and the state of nature is strengthened as part of sustainable regional development and future vitality.
