Finland: Linnunsuo Wetland: A Community-Led Revival of Finland’s ‘Marsh of Birds’

Finland: Linnunsuo Wetland: A Community-Led Revival of Finland’s ‘Marsh of Birds’ – European Commons and OECMsArticle by Diana Neacsu in dialogue with Kaisu Mustonen

Photo: The Linnunsuo wetland – a sanctuary for birds, mammals, and the local community – in June 2024 © Lauri Kontkanen

In North Karelia, Finland, a local fishing community has set out to revive a wetland that once bore the scars of peat mining. Now, Linnunsuo is more than a restored ecosystem: it has become a celebrated example of an Indigenous and Community Conserved Area (ICCA), demonstrating the power of collective action in preserving biodiversity and mitigating climate impacts. Known locally as the “Marsh of Birds,” Linnunsuo has emerged as a thriving habitat for over 190 species of birds, and a refuge for mammals like wolverine, moose, and otter.

From Mining Scar to Thriving Wetland

Originally a peat mining site, Linnunsuo spanned a barren, acidic landscape for decades under the operation of VAPO (now Neova). The mining disturbed sensitive soils with high iron sulfate levels, creating dangerous acidic discharges that degraded the Jukajoki River ecosystem. In 2010, a major acidic spill killed fish, sounding an alarm throughout the community. This event became the catalyst for Snowchange Cooperative, a local environmental group, to purchase Linnunsuo and begin a remarkable restoration effort.

Photo: Linnunsuo as a peat mining field. © Snowchange

With the guidance of local fishers and villagers, Snowchange set out to transform Linnunsuo back into a functioning wetland.

Tero Mustonen, a climate scientist and co-founder of Snowchange, explained the urgency: “We try to restore the functionality of nature. That’s it.” For peatlands, this means restoring water to the landscape. The community built interconnected wetland pools to submerge the acidic soil, effectively preventing further peat decomposition, which had released significant carbon emissions. Over time, this rewetting has halted harmful emissions and transformed the area into a carbon sink, underscoring the crucial role of peatlands in combating climate change.

Photo: Tero Mustonen – 2023 Goldman Prize Winner. © The Goldman Environmental Prize

A Haven for Birds and Wildlife

Linnunsuo’s revival was swift. Within a year of restoration, the wetland became a haven for birds, with species like the endangered Northern Pintail and Greater Spotted Eagle returning to nest. Each autumn, flocks of up to 100,000 geese gather here on their migratory route from Siberia. Wolverines, attracted by remains of dead birds, have begun to roam the area, as have bears and moose, venturing from nearby forests. Even sphagnum moss, essential to peatland ecosystems, has re-established itself, adding to the wetland’s long-term carbon-storing potential. The legend goes on to say why the ancestors didn’t divide the land, but organized themselves to manage it as a common instead. Why? Because water was a valuable resource, and there were only two natural catchment areas where the livestock could get water. If the land were divided, the water couldn’t reach all those who needed it: people and livestock alike.

Photo: The successful nesting and breeding of the wood sandpiper (Tringa glareola) is an indicator of successful restoration in Linnunsuo. © Mika Honkalinna/Snowchange

Local residents were astonished by the speed of this transformation. “The area was so quickly able to sustain life, and we still don’t know all the drivers of why it happened so fast,” says Kaisu Mustonen, co-founder of Snowchange. The return of invertebrates, including larvae that soon buzzed around the water pools, created an immediate food source for returning bird species, jumpstarting the wetland’s ecosystem.

A Model for Sustainable Conservation

Photo: The fireplace of Linnunsuo serves as a communal cooking facility which is open to everyone. © Snowchange

Linnunsuo’s story illustrates how conservation can happen through community-led restoration and ongoing stewardship. Unlike traditional conservation, which often seeks to isolate nature from human influence, the approach at Linnunsuo integrates local traditions with modern ecological science. Local hunters play an essential role, co-managing the wetland by controlling invasive species like mink and raccoon dogs, which pose threats to native bird populations. For the fishing and hunting community, this model strengthens their connection to the land while safeguarding Linnunsuo’s biodiversity.

The restoration work at Linnunsuo has not been without challenges. Because the surrounding area is still subject to forestry and land-use pressures, including road construction, Snowchange has had to remain vigilant. They conduct continuous water quality monitoring and manage the wetland’s pools, removing invasive plants such as Japanese knotweed and maintaining the wetland’s natural defenses against droughts and flooding.

Photo: Snowchange staff members measuring methane and carbon dioxide fluxes to study the success and speed of recovery of Linnunsuo. © Snowchange

The Unpredictable Threats of Climate Change

One of the greatest unknowns for Linnunsuo’s future is climate change. Increased extreme weather, such as heavy rains and droughts, poses unique risks to wetlands, particularly those with a history of human disturbance. Dry peat soil can ignite easily, and in the hotter summer months, fire remains a persistent risk, as peat fires can smolder for days or weeks. Snowchange is prepared for these challenges, adapting conservation strategies as they monitor climate impacts closely.

For Snowchange and the people of Selkie village, protecting Linnunsuo is about more than ecological preservation—it’s a way to secure a future that honors the community’s long-standing relationship with the land. As Mustonen explains, “We are restoring the ecosystem but also giving the land back to the people, ensuring they are stewards of this place.”

Today, Linnunsuo stands as a reminder of nature’s resilience when given the chance to heal. The name “Linnunsuo”—meaning “Marsh of Birds”—is fitting for an area once devoid of life but now bustling with activity. Snowchange’s approach to conservation embraces both scientific and traditional knowledge, proving that communities closest to the land often have the most effective solutions for restoring it.

Linnunsuo has become more than a restored wetland; it’s a symbol of what can be achieved when conservation is community-driven. The marsh has shown Finland and the world that even a small community can halt environmental destruction and create a vibrant, sustainable ecosystem. The success at Linnunsuo not only preserves biodiversity but also sets a precedent for other ICCAs worldwide, reminding us that local people are powerful custodians of our planet’s most fragile ecosystems.

Finland: Linnunsuo Wetland: A Community-Led Revival of Finland’s ‘Marsh of Birds’