Return to the Sources – environmental education cherishing the traditions
Funded by Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme 2001-2006

Objective of the project

The purpose of the project was to increase the tourist appeal of Kainuu and White Sea Karelia by designing and producing material about the region’s nature and the interaction of the local people and culture. Another aim was to develop suitable regional entities and operation environments for nature education and school camps for the use of educational institutes and tourist businesses.

Main activities

• Construction of the Lentua nature cottage exhibition, transformation and furnishing of the nearby Koski camping centre into a nature and school camp centre, • Completion of the exhibition at the Levävaara wilderness farm in Elimyssalo • Designing and production of the structures, information and guide materials of the nature school forest of Lauttavaara, • Acquirement of the supplies and equipment suitable for nature education of the target groups for the Metsähallitus’ Visiting Centre in Kuhmo (now called Petola), implementation of the mysticism section in connection with the exhibition, • Design and implementation of terrain signs and other material for various other targets, • Production of sign posts, materials for the school camp brochure and waste information and management material for the Kostomuksha Nature Reserve, • Testing, marketing and dissemination of the material.

Achievements

The project was completed as planned, including, among others, the Lentua nature cottage exhibition and the transformation and furnishing of the nearby Koski camping centre into a nature and school camp centre. Additionally, the exhibition at the Levävaara wilderness farm in Elimyssalo and the school camp structures were completed. In the beginning of the Lentuankoskentie road, the structures, information and guide materials of the nature school forest of Lauttavaara were designed and produced. The supplies and equipment suitable for nature education of the target groups were acquired to the Metsähallitus’ Visiting Centre in Kuhmo (presently called Petola), and the mysticism section in accordance with the project ideology was implemented in connection with the exhibition. Terrain signs and other material were also designed and implemented for various other targets. All the materials were completed in three languages and in a practical manner, as planned. Sign posts, materials for the school camp brochure and waste information and management material were produced for the Kostomuksha Nature Reserve. Their look was designed modern and imposing, which should be ideal to increase their future use. The materials were tested and marketed, and there was related user training; it was also supplied for the use by schools and travel businesses. A cooperation organization was created, which will be responsible for the availability, development and marketing of the products. The project helped to intensify the Russian cooperation, and Metsähallitus received new, more concrete models with the project for their cross-border nature education cooperation. The cooperation of the Friedship park research centre is an example for other twin parks of a functioning and mutually beneficial model of international cooperation. The Petola Nature Centre and its customer services will be the centre and operational coordinator of the region's nature education. The project has created marketing possibilities for the region by applying nature's own appeal and paved the way for cross-border nature tourism.