Learning about energy and waste management solutions in Repovesi National Park

The GreenSol project organized a benchmarking trip to Repovesi National Park on 12-14 February. A total of 19 persons from Finland and Russia participated in the trip. The aim of the trip was to get acquainted with the waste management and energy solutions on the visit sites and to look for new perspectives for the development of the pilot sites. The pilot sites of the project are Ärjänsaari Island in Finland and Kostomuksha Nature Reserve, Kivach Nature Reserve and Vodlozersky National Park in Russia.

The first destination of the trip was the Repovesi National Park. We visited the information point of the park and the Kuutinkanava area. Our guides told us about the waste management and other maintenance solutions in the park.

Repovesi National Park is the sixth most popular national park in Finland, and Metsähallitus has had to respond to growing visitor numbers by developing park maintenance. That is why the park has built dry toilets that can be emptied by using tank trucks and a special firewood shelter that can be filled by lifting the roof. The principle of litter-free hiking is followed in the Repovesi National Park. The concept was new for some participants, and it stimulated interesting discussions.

Next we drove to Särkilampi Nature Cottage, where we were told about the construction of a nature hut and its sustainable waste and energy solutions. Särkilampi Nature Cottage has been built according to the principles of sustainable development. The room heats up with a stove, the cottage is equipped with solar panels, the water comes from the well and a root cellar is in use.

During the trip we also got acquainted with the heat pump system at the Vuohijärvi Nature and Culture House, as well as the lake and solar energy system at Järvisydän Hotel & Spa Resort.

All in all, participants were happy with the trip. Site visits were considered interesting and many new ideas raised for the development of the project pilot sites. There were many places to visit, but the participants did not find the travel program too exhausting. The group noted the high quality of the program and highly appraised the level of organization.

Source: Metsähallitus, Parks & Wildlife Finland