Metla

photo: Metla/Erkki Oksanen

Finland is Europe's most forested country - 3/4 of its land area is under forest cover. By international comparison, Finland relies more heavily on its forests than any other country in the world. Against this background it is easy to understand the importance of forest research in Finland. Metla is the main forest research institute in Finland and one of the biggest forest research institutes in the whole Europe.

The Finnish Forest Research Institute (Metla) was established in 1917, and started its activities in July 1918. Since then Metla has grown considerably; the current network of research centres, research stations and research forests covers the whole country. Metla is a governmental, sectoral research institute, subordinate to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Metla’s duties are defined by the law and statute to promote, through research, the economical, ecological, and socially sustainable management and use of forests. In matters concerning the nature conservation areas, Metla is subordinate to the Ministry of the Environment.

The relationship of forests and human health is an important discussion where Metla wants to cooperate wholeheartedly with its international partners.