Event or camp in nature

Before heading to the site with tents, programme leaflets and barrier tape, make sure the landowner is aware of the event and that all permits are in order. This article explains when you need to notify Metsähallitus about an event – and what to do if the land is not state-owned.

An event notification to Metsähallitus must be submitted if:

• the event takes place on state-owned land, such as a national park, another protected area managed by Metsähallitus, or a multiple-use forest
• the number of participants is 20 or more (with the exception of day trip groups from educational institutions consisting of 20 to 100 people)
• the event is a school camp or camping by a large group
• the day trip group is exceptionally large (e.g. 100 people), such as outdoor activity days organized by educational institutions.
• If the event is commercial or involves participation or entrance fees, a notification must be submitted regardless of the group size.

Submit the notification as early as possible, no later than two months before the event. The notification can be made easily using the electronic form at metsa.fi.

Metsähallitus experts will contact you once the notification is being processed.

• If the event or camping is small-scale, resembles ordinary hiking and is free of charge for participants, you will receive a landowner's consent by email at no cost. Consents for school groups are also free of charge.
• In some cases, a written permission from Metsähallitus is also required and is subject to a fee. Our experts will advise you if needed.

The notification should be submitted at least two months before the event to ensure enough time for processing. Notifying in good time helps ensure that:

• there are no overlapping events or work sites in the area
• the event does not endanger natural values
• the event is legal and responsibly organised
• the event can proceed as planned
• other area users and visitors can be informed if necessary
• possible fees and permits can be factored into the event budget in time

Please note that the event must not be marketed or published on websites before the notification has been processed.

Private gathering or open invitation?

Theatre Counsellor Möttönen wants to organise a birthday outing to the Aulanko Nature Reserve. The plan is to enjoy snacks in the midst of nature. He considers what kind of event to arrange.

• Möttönen invites 15 of his closest friends. → No event notification is required.
• Möttönen publishes an open invitation to a picnic outing in the local paper. He is a well-known and popular figure, so more people may attend. Partners may wish to present performances and speeches may continue into the evening. → An event notification must be submitted.

Competition

The trail running company Kipittäjät is planning a 50-person trail running event in Rokua National Park. There is a participation fee, and Metsähallitus’ trails will be used. → An event notification is required. The matter will be reviewed, and if there are no obstacles, a chargeable written permission will be issued, including a fee for the use of hiking services.

Large group excursion

The Erämurmelit and Luontovekarat day care groups are organising a joint day trip to Nuuksio National Park. The group includes 30 children, 6 instructors and 12 parents. They hike in small groups and eat together at a campfire site. → An event notification is recommended. If no overlapping events are known, consent may be given free of charge by email. However, they should note that other visitors may also use the rest areas.

Commercial activity in protected areas requires an agreement

If the event is a guided program service offered by a tourism company and the customer group will use Metsähallitus’ hiking facilities, the company must hold a valid tourism cooperation agreement with usage rights. Familiarize yourself with Nature Services’ tourism cooperation agreements: Tourism services in protected areas (metsa.fi).

If you wish to organise an event on a private nature reserve or, for example, on a municipal recreation area, a permit is also required. Contact the landowner or the municipal environmental, recreation or land use authorities.

• The area may have protection regulations or rules of conduct that limit noise, camping or making fire, for example.
• Regardless of land ownership, permits may also be required from authorities (e.g. police or rescue services). For larger events, it may be necessary to submit a public event notification to the police or a noise notification to the environmental authority.