Excavator Pro in Ecological Restoration (KO 5008)
Funded by Kolarctic CBC 2014-2020

Objective of the project

Excavators are needed for the restoration of streams and wetlands and the removal of migratory barriers. However, machine operators’ lack of knowledge about ecological restoration, can affect the quality of the work and make it even more expensive if it must be re-done. The “EXcavator Pro in Ecological ResToration” project will result in a complete educational material in Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish and Russian as well as a program for the course, which will contribute to increased ecological enlightenment and knowledge of ecological restoration. The project plans to build a partnership between the countries and organisations in the Barents region by having eco-educational activities. It creates a platform for the countries to continue with nature restoration projects also after the project has ended. The best practices in the field of ecological restoration will be shared and taught in practical workshops. The exchange of experience will increase the quality of the restoration work in the Barents region and inspire stakeholders to do more ecological measures. The project will make restoration more cost-effective when all involved have the same level of knowledge.

Main activities

The “EXcavator Pro in Ecological ResToration” project will result in a complete educational material in Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish and Russian. The best practices in the field of ecological restoration will be shared and taught in practical workshops.

Achievements

The project has produced four compendiums and four films. to work as education materials for those working on the field, in river restoration. The films represent the categories: 1) Restoration of streams (historically damage by timber floating) film: https://play.mediaflowpro.com/ovp/16/44FEO9N9Y8 (in Swedish), 2) Removal of migration barriers (road water-crossings and dams) film: https://play.mediaflowpro.com/ovp/16/00FEF9V9IX (in Swedish) 3) Restoration of wetlands film. https://play.mediaflowpro.com/ovp/16/81FET9EVIV (in Swedish), and 4) Erosion measures film: https://play.mediaflowpro.com/ovp/16/55FEF979NC (in Swedish) Also, the project has created a restoration network between the northern parts of Norway, Finland and Sweden. The network makes it easier to continue with other restoration projects (i.e., the cross-border LIFE project TRIWA).