Summary

Controlled burning as a forest renewal practice has dramatically decreased in the 21st century. The aim of the Kulota project is to reverse this trend and to increase the use of controlled burning in the Southern Ostrobothnia region through activation and information and knowledge sharing with and by land and forest owners. 

The project activities were focused both on increasing awareness and on reintroducing the practice. A detailed handbook/manual on controlled burning was elaborated, along with a range of promotional events, such as demonstrations, seminars, field trips, promotion through social media.

 

Results

The project was able to reach over 300 interested parties (such as land owners and service providers), and it is expected that the volume of controlled burning will increase in the future.

Reintroducing the practice will contribute to the natural renewal of forestry. For example the alkaline conditions in the forests will be improved for the long term. Significant benefits will emerge for fire dependent species of flora, fungi and fauna.