Enchanted by Nature – Getting Acquainted with the Boarder Area Nature
Funded by Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme 2001-2006

Objective of the project

The purpose of this project was to collect research information about the nature of the border regions in Finland and in the Republic of Karelia. The collected information was to be edited for general reading and the resulting information packages were intended to be used in the marketing of the region and promoting international nature tourism, as well as teaching material.

Main activities

• Collection of information from over 400 Finnish and Russian research publications and editing them to readable texts, • Illustrating the texts with extensive photo, sketch and map materials, • Publication of a book titled Enchanted by Nature – Getting Acquainted with the Boarder Area Nature book as a physical, online and DVD copies, translating the book into four languages, • Completing of a 8-page magazine titled Rajaseudun luonto (Nature of the Border Regions).

Achievements

The project collected, according to its targets, information concerning over 400 Finnish and Russian research publications, and edited them to generally readable texts in accordance with the topics defined in the plan. The texts were illustrated with extensive photo, sketch and map materials. The result was a comprehensive information package and book entitled Enchanted by Nature – Getting Acquainted with the Boarder Area Nature. The book was published in accordance with the plan in four languages. In addition to the printed form, the book is also available in the web pages of the environment centre and on a DVD/ROM disc. In addition to the book, an 8-page magazine entitled Rajaseudun luonto (Nature of the Border Regions) was completed. The compiled material presents, in general terms, the Finnish and Russian nature in the border regions and the human relationship with nature from varying perspectives. It is intended as supplementary material for secondary and upper secondary schools and for entrepreneurs in nature tourism, as well as everyone interested in the nature of the northern coniferous forests. The book turned out to be more popular than originally anticipated. It also received highly positive feedback from various schools, nature tourism businesses and researchers. The book published in the project has been included in the curricula of at least the Petrozavodsk State University and the Pedagogical University of Petrozavodsk.