Agenda: Finland in brief Suomen Latu – the Finnish Central Association for Recreational Sports and Outdoor Activities Finnish Outdoor Statistics Everyman’s Rights Outdoor Players in Finland

1. Finnish Outdoor activity is based
on Everyman’s Rights
General Manager Eki Karlsson

2. Finnish Outdoor activity is based
on Everyman’s Rights
• Finland in brief
• Suomen Latu – the Finnish Central Association
for Recreational Sports and Outdoor Activities
• Finnish Outdoor Statistics
• Everyman’s Rights
• Outdoor Players in Finland
4.3.2014 Eki Karlsson

3. Finland in brief
• Total area: 338,144 km², of which
10% is water and 69% forest
• Population: 5.3 million
• 15.7 inhabitants per km²,
European countries average is
over 10 bigger (177 inhabitants
per km²)
-> one reason for wide
everyman’s rights in Finland
4.3.2014

4. Suomen Latu
The Finnish Central Association for
Recreational Sports and Outdoor Activities
4.3.2014

5. Suomen Latu
• NGO (non-governmental organization) with
• 78 000 members
• 225 member associations
• Promotes over 20 outdoor activities
• Nordic Skiing, Trekking, Winter swimming, Snow Shoeing etc.
• Develops new outdoor activities
• Developer organization of Nordic Walking
• Newest supported activity: Geocaching
• Protects interest of
• Everyman’s Rights
• Outdoor Facilities (Places, Routes, National Parks, Laws etc)
4.3.2014

6. Testbed for Artic Outdoor Activities
Fell Centre Kiilopää
• Suomen Latu owns fell center for
200 accommodation and
restaurant customers
• One of the best place in Lappland.
• Trekking, Cross Country and Fell
skiing, Moomin Ski Schools,
Snowshoe Walking, Yukigasse,
Snow Sculpting, Bird Watching ,
Geocaching, Smoke Sauna &
winter swimming in frosty
fountain!
• http://www.kiilopaa.fi
4.3.2014

7. Everyman’s Rights in Finland
4.3.2014

8. IN FINLAND 96% OF LAND
CAN BE USED BY EVERYONE
4.3.2014

9. Everyman’s right: Definition
• Right to use land and water areas
• Right to use certain natural products
• Right is not dependent on the user of the
right or the owner of the area
• Land owner can affect right by land use
• The user of the right may not cause
damage or disturbance! = Responsibility
4.3.2014
9

10. Everyman’s rights in Finland
• Free access to waterways
• Boating, anchoring, swimming, driving snowmobiles,
etc is allowed
• Free access to land
• Orienteering, short term camping, running, walking,
cross country skiing, picking berries etc is allowed
• Using motorized vehicles are not everyman’s right
4.3.2014

11. Everyman’s rights in Finland
• Natural products are partly everyman’s right
• Dry twigs and branches, fallen cones and nuts,
berries, mushrooms, fishing (with a rod and line) and
(most) flowers is allowed to pick up
4.3.2014

12. Outdoor Statistics In Finland
4.3.2014

13. Participation in outdoor recreation
among Finnish adult population
Participation in outdoor recreation
All age groups
65-74 years
45-64 years
2010
2000
25-44 years
15-24 years
82
84
86
88
90
92
94
participation rate, % of population
96
98
100

14. Everyday outdoor activities
Source: Finnish Forest Research Institute 2011
Participation in everyday outdoor activities
Walking for pleasure or fitness
Nordic walking
Bicycling
2010
Outdoor activities with children
2000
Walking dog
Runnisg, jogging
0
10
20
30
40
50
participation rate, % of population
60
70
80

15. Forest Recreation
Participation in forest recreation
Picking wild berries
Picking mushrooms
2010
2000
Leisure forest work
Hunting
0
10
20
30
40
Participation rate, % of population
50
60
70

16. Outdoor players in
Finland
4.3.2014

17. Outdoor players in Finland
Ministry of
Education and
Culture
Metsähallitus
(~Forest
Administration)
Municipalities
4.3.2014
Sport NGOs,
as Suomen
Latu, skiers
Non sport
NGOs, as
Scouts

18. Thank You
Eki Karlsson
eki.karlsson@suomenlatu.fi
4.3.2014