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A distinctive sound reveals the presence of the desired bird. A wader is found in a gravel field on the edge of a mill site. My anticipated first sighting of the mysterious eastern wader leaves a lasting impression. The Terek Sandpiper, named after the Terek River, which flows from the Caucasus into the Caspian Sea. One of the rarest breeding species in Finland.
Preferring the fields of industrial areas, the Terek Sandpiper provided a special reason for a young birdwatcher to stop in Kemi on his way to the Lapland and the Northern Norwegian Kajava Mountains. Little did I know at the time that my job would later give me the opportunity to help build a completely new kind of built environment nature area for the sandpiper, together with the city, local birdwatchers and modern-day green space experts.
Regenerative land use is a sister project to regenerative forestry. They focus on enhancing the state of nature in areas that have been used by humans in different ways. The more than 600 hectare planning area in Kemi will serve as a pilot for the eventual implementation of nature-based solutions at all Metsä Group mill sites in several countries.
In Kemi, there are plenty of nature-friendly sites, both on the closed mill site and in the everyday environment of the people. Close to the mill site is the company-owned Kiikeli open-air forest. It is home to 10 threatened landrace Lapland cows. They are allowed to spend the whole summer in the forest pasture, living their typical life.
Today we live in the age of man, the Anthropocene. Human influence is everywhere. Man-made environments can also be species-rich. Endangered and threatened species are also found in man-made environments, regardless of the time period. Industrial activity also creates environments in which many rare species have evolved to adapt to the conditions of their choice.
It is easy to be motivated by the cultural change ahead, as nature solutions are of key importance to people themselves in their everyday environment. A diverse urban environment contributes to our health, safety, comfort and well-being.
The perceived importance of local nature makes people work together and play to the same goal of enhancing the state of nature. Functionality creates a bond that connects us to each other. It also gives a positive vision of the future as an important resource.