Luontokunnat and Luontoviisaat kunnat

The solutions for conserving biodiversity are often local in nature and closely linked to municipal land use, decision making, environmental management and everyday actions. Municipalities therefore play a key role in improving the state of nature and halting biodiversity loss. Many municipalities have already recognized that considering nature is not merely an environment issue but also an integral part of sustainable vitality, well-being and responsible development for the future. Local solutions can have a significant impact when they’re based on knowledge, collaboration and a shared commitment.

Therefore it is important to strengthen municipalities’ capacity, expertise and cooperation in efforts to protect biodiversity. When municipalities are offered support, practical tools and opportunities to learn from one another, efforts to protect nature can be more effectively integrated into both strategic planning and day-to-day municipal operations.

The Luontokunnat network aims to promote the conservation of biodiversity, nature management, and the sustainable use of nature in municipalities and cities. The network supports the municipalities by offering information, expertise, opportunities for collaboration, and best practices for incorporating biodiversity and nature-related considerations into municipal strategies, decision-making processes, and practical operations. The Luontokunnat network brings together representatives of municipalities, regions, and other key stakeholders to strengthen collaborative efforts for nature. The network includes more than 350 participants from 115 municipalities. Membership in the network is individual, and joining does not require any commitments or specific actions from either the municipality or the individual member.

The Luontoviisaat kunnat network is a collaboration network for municipalities that commit to the network’s criteria and measures for halting biodiversity loss, as well as to policies that reduce the negative impacts of municipal activities on nature and promote biodiversity.

The networks brings together municipalities to develop impactful practices and commit to concrete actions that support biodiversity and nature. Luontoviisaat kunnat network is a network of pioneering municipalities. The network currently includes 16 municipalities, and many others are in the process of joining.

A municipality joins the Luontoviisaat kunnat network through a decision by its municipal council, executive board, or another body with equivalent authority, and commits to the jointly developed criteria of the network. A municipality applying to join has four years from the date of admission to the network to meet the required criteria.

Luontokunnat.fi(you are switching to another service) showcases the many actions communes and cities are taking to safeguard biodiversity and promote the sustainable use of nature. Luontokunnat.fi is a website of the Luontokunnat (Nature Municipalities) and Luontoviisaat kunnat (Nature-wise Municipalities) networks. The networks are coordinated by The Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) and the Association of Finnish Cities and Municipalities (AFCM).