The Latvat project expands water protection work into forest areas

The Aura River Foundation has received significant funding for the Latvat project, which develops water protection and climate-resilient forestry practices in the catchment areas of the Aura River and Paimionjoki River. The South Ostrobothnia Vitality Centre granted the project €244,800 from water and marine management and Archipelago Sea Programme funding. In addition, the Finnish Nature Conservation Foundation has granted the project €5,000. With a total budget exceeding €300,000, the project is one of Aura River Foundation’s largest water protection projects in recent years.

The Latvat project develops and implements water protection measures in forestry and promotes the climate resilience of forests in the catchment areas of the Aura River and Paimionjoki River during 2025–2028. The project will organise training for forest owners and forestry professionals, map ecologically significant forest water sites, and carry out concrete water protection measures such as forest wetlands, ditch blocking and small watercourse restoration.

The project is carried out in cooperation with Paimionjokiyhdistys, Valonia and Silva ry.

– Through the Latvat project, we can expand water protection work more effectively into forest areas in broad cooperation with Valonia, Paimionjokiyhdistys and Silva ry, says Jussi Saari, Water Protection Project Specialist at the Aura River Foundation.

At the Aura River Foundation, cooperation is seen as an essential part of improving the condition of waterways.

– The condition of the Aura River and the Archipelago Sea can only be improved through cooperation. We encourage landowners to contact us with a low threshold so that together we can find effective solutions for the benefit of our waters, says the Executive Director of the Aura River Foundation.

The aim of the Latvat project is to reduce the load on waterways caused by forestry, strengthen biodiversity and increase awareness of climate-resilient forest management methods. The project will also produce communication materials, videos, infographics and podcasts related to forest water protection.

The catchment areas of the Aura River and Paimionjoki River are part of the pilot areas of the Archipelago Sea Programme, and the project’s measures aim to support long-term improvements in the condition of the Archipelago Sea.

More information:

Jussi Saari
Water Protection Project Specialist
Aurajokisäätiö
jussi.saari@aurajoki.net
+358 44 901 1265