Northern European Regional Meeting 2022

April 19th – April 24th in Finland!

NERM 2022 starts in:

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Registration are open! Register for NERM till the 6th of March 2022

Introduction

About NERM 2022

NERM 2022 is being held in Finland! Over six days attendees will experience some of the best sides of Finnish forestry and forest nature on top of getting lots of new connections from all over Europe. As you’re about to notice forests are essential to Finnish identity. That’s why we have picked forest relationship as the main theme of this years meeting. You will get to experience what forests mean to us and our country and through that hopefully ponder your own relationship with them as well. We want to give the attendees an unique experience that is educational but also just a lot of fun!

The meeting will be executed as an excursion that starts from Helsinki and then heads towards Hyytiälä Forest Field Station. On the way back to Helsinki we’re going to visit Evo Forestry Campus and the hiking area surrounding it.

Days 1 and 5: Helsinki

Helsinki, located on the shore of coast of Finland is the capital of Finland and the largest city of our country. Some of the most popular sights in Helsinki are Helsinki Cathedral (in the picture), marketplace, Suomenlinna island, Sibelius monument, Ateneum Finnish National Museum of Art and The Natural History Museum. We have arranged time on the first and fifth day of NERM for you to experience some of these places or maybe just go shopping to stores such as Stockmann or Kamppi Shopping Centre.

Helsinki is also home to offices of some of Finlands most significant Forestry comppanies such as our sponsor Arbonaut which we are going to visit.

You can also study Forestry in The University of Helsinki such as Belinda and Maria from our organizing committee do.

Days 2 and 3: Hyytiälä Forestry Field Station

Hyytiälä Forestry Field Station owned by University of Helsinki has long history in international multidiscilipnary research when it comes to subjects such as soil, atmosphere, ecosystems and of course forests as well as their effect to them.

Hyytiälä will be our accommodation for two days during which we’ll be able to explore the Station, it’s on going research and of course the natural boreal forests and swamplands surrounding the station. One of the most fascinating things in Hyytiälä is the SMEAR II which is a globally recognised station used to study ecosystem-atmosphere relations.

During our stay in Hyytiälä we’ll also have time to get to know eachother through games, gatherings, workshops and traditional international evening. Since we’ll be in Finland, sauna will be warm each evening as well!

If you want to learn more about Hyytiälä and the research there here’s link to it’s website:

https://www2.helsinki.fi/en/research-stations/hyytiala-forestry-field-station

Day 4: Evo Forestry Campus and Hiking Area

What’s special about Evo Campus, founded in 1862, is that it’s the first place in Finland where you were able to study forestry in Finland. Nowadays the Campus is part of Häme University of Applied Sciences and is still offering some of the best forestry education in our country.

The education there highlights practicality which is made easy since the Campus is surrounded by 1800 ha observation forest. We’re going to have a hike in that forest so you better bring some hiking shoes with you.

Finland

Finland is often referred as the land of thousands lakes (over 188 000 of them!) but the same could be said about the forests. Boreal forests cover about 75% of the land area and over half of species in Finland live in them. Finland has most forests proportional to the surface area out of all the countries in Europe. Hence they are one of the most important cornerstones of Finnish identity, culture, nature and economy.

On top of being home to vast and ecologically rich forests Finland is also home to some cultural icons such as Angry Birds, Moomins and even Santa Claus! Our country is the birthplace of some internationally well known brands such as Nokia, Marimekko and KONE. Finnish people might seem like a bit unsocial at first but are friendly and loyal companions once you get to know them. Some popular finnish free time activities include playing ice hockey, listening to metal music and going to sauna. There are actually more saunas than cars in Finland! Some Finnish treats worth tasting are salmiakki, karjalanpiirakka and Fazer chocolate.

Learn more about Finland:

Program

Checklist:

The participation fee will be 150 €.
You need to arrive to Helsinki on April 19th at latest.
The meeting ends on April 24th
We are going to provide the main meals and housing during the trip but here’s some things you should bring by yourself:
- Warm clothes – the temperatures are still quite low in Finland that time of the year
- Good shoes to walk in the forest with
- Personal hygiene items
- Cash (souveniers etc.)

The Organizing Committee

NERM is organized by three different IFSA:s local organizations this year: Metsäylioppilaat ry from University of Helsinki, Joensuun Metsäylioppilaat ry from University of Eastern Finland and Metsäalan opiskelijat ry representing forestry polytechnic students.

Belinda Mäki

Metsäylioppilaat ry

Moikka! (= hello in Finnish)
I’m Belinda, 24 years old and studying Forest Ecology and Management at the University of Helsinki. In my studies I have specialized to forest and peatland ecosystems, but I’m also studying wood technology as a secondary subject.

In my spare time I love to hike and go cross-country skiing in the forests. Everything that has something in common with the nature, animals and outdoors is close to my heart.

I’m really looking for NERM here in Finland because it is great to meet new people what studying forests connect. We have planned an interesting program for the event and I can guarantee that we will have an unforgettable week together.

Maria Selin

Metsäylioppilaat ry

Maria Selin, 23, University of Helsinki, forest ecology and management

I relax by walking in the woods, playing video games and dancing in Finnish folk dance group.

I am eager to learn more about Ifsa during NERM

Alina Lehikoinen

IFSA representative

My name is Alina and I’m 25 years old. I graduated from the University of Helsinki last summer with a BSc in Forest Ecology and Management I am currently doing an MSc in International Forestry at the University of Freiburg in Germany. I have been active in IFSA since 2019 so a lot of my free time is spent on IFSA work. Other than that I like reading, cooking, baking and hanging out with my dog. In this NERM I’m most excited for international evening. I’ve been to a number of them by now and they’ve always been a lot of fun so I’m looking forward to learning new things about various countries and cultures via food, drink and song again!

Juho Lehtola

Joensuun Metsäylioppilaat ry

Hi! I’m Juho, 21 year-old future Forester from Kuopio but currently studying for my second year in Joensuu. I study biology as my minor.

In my freetime I’m quite passionate about all things related to movies. I also enjoy cycling, wondering in nature and builing Lego.

When it comes to NERM I’m most excited about getting new contacts from all over Europe. I also can’t wait to visit Hyytiälä Forestry Field Station for the first time!

Lia Laukkanen

Joensuun Metsäylioppilaat ry

Heyo! I’m Lia, 21 years old forestry major student from Joensuu, Finland! (My LC is JMYO.) My minor is computer science. Gotta balance wandering in forests with sitting in front of a computer, right?

In my free time I like to take pictures, write and read. I also enjoy crosswords and I have an impressive Star Wars themed collection. Whatever I do, my 16 year old best friend, my dog, likes to be included…

I am looking forward to meet new people in NERM! I am interested hearing about your studies and working on the field of forestry. I can’t wait to meet everybody! See you soon!

Vilma Tiainen

Metsäalan Opiskelijat ry

Hello! My name is Vilma and i’m 25 years old. I’m studying in Xamk – university of applied sciences in Mikkeli. I’m graduating as a forestry engineer (hopefully) in this summer.
In my free time I like to spend time outside and I also like geocaching and snowboarding. But right now, I have to spend most of my free time by writing my thesis.
I can’t wait to meet you all and see you soon!

Sophie Heikkinen

Metsäalan Opiskelijat ry

Hi! I’m Sophie Heikkinen, 29-year-old forestry engineering student. I study at South-Eastearn Finland University of Applied Sciences in Mikkeli. I spend my free time with my two horses and 7-year-old son. I enjoy hiking and cross-country skiing and spend a lot of time reading and watching tv series. I’m waiting to see everyone at NERM 2022 and get to know new people!

Sponsor profiles

Arbonaut

Arbonaut is a world-leading provider of reliable and accurate digital information on forests. With over 25 years of global experience and a vast partnership network globally, Arbonaut has been dedicated to developing adaptable solutions for private and public customers since 1994. We take advantage of precision forestry technologies to create ‘digital twins’ of forests and their ecosystems and turn data into knowledge and understanding.

Our experts are adept at the intelligent use of LiDAR and GIS technologies, data processing and analysis, and software development for multifunctional and sustainable forest management. Our solutions are conveniently accessible through desktop, web, and mobile user-friendly interfaces. Along with high precision, reliable forest data, our customers take full advantage of our solution capabilities that support their decision-making and run efficient operations.

Metsäkoulutus ry (Forestry Education Association)

Metsäkoulutus ry, established in 2016, connects all levels of forestry education, students and working life.

Associations mission is to develop forest bioeconomy education to coincide needs in working life as well as support cooperation and effectivity of education. Their strategy also includes keeping forest bioeconomy education desirable, taking care that educational supply is comprehensive enough and that cooperation between the members is efficient and dependaple. The ultimate goal is that Finland would offer world’s best forestry education!

A vision for the year 2022 is that forest bioeconomy education matches to changing demands of industries.

We also did a video about studying forestry in Finland in collaboration with Metsäkoulutus ry. Go check it out if you already haven’t!😉

Tornator

Tornator is a leading European company specialised in sustainable forest management. We own forests in Finland, Estonia and Romania. Our operating model is based on responsible use of forests as well as strong environmental expertise and utilisation of digital technologies. Our core business includes sustainable forestry, forestland purchasing and silvicultural services. In 2021 the Group’s net sales exceeded ca. €128 million, and the balance sheet value is about €2.2 billion. The Group has a total of some 185 employees, and its forests provide work for contractors and their staff worth more than 1,500 person-years. Tornator is a public limited company and its main shareholders are Finnish pension insurance companies and Stora Enso. Tornator’s mission is “generating sustainable well-being from the forest”.

Learn more about Tornator by watching this introduction video:

Puumiehet ry

Puumiehet ry is best known for publishing Puumies-journal which is the leading and highly respected journal for wood industry professionals in Finland.

The journal appears 10 times a year, presenting the latest news on technology, trade, products, companies and people in wood products industry.

Puumies was established in 1955.

The coverage of Puumies ranges from forestry and bioenergy, through sawmill and further processing industry to furniture and joinery industry, timber and building trade and wood construction.

We also present the latest news on research and development, logistics, education, culture etc. All the articles are written by experts.

Metsäteho

Metsäteho Oy is a limited company owned by the leading forest industry organisations and companies of Finland and is specialised on research and development (R&D) work and projects.

Metsäteho supports the development of its shareholders’ wood procurement and wood production operations and improves the operating preconditions for wood supply.

Our primary areas of activity include R&D projects, consultancy services, seminars and other communication activities. Research and development work is based on active networking as well as skills and knowledge of Metsäteho employees.

Metsäteho’s roots can be traced back to 1945 when the central association of the Finnish wood processing industries set up a special department to study forest work. Metsäteho Oy was founded as a limited company in 1996.

Loimu – a union of highly educated experts

Loimu is a multidisciplinary union professionals in natural, environmental and forestry sciences. We are familiar with the working lives of our members and their special characteristics. We have a long experience of taking care of the members’ terms and conditions of employment as well as their career success. We help and support our members in different stages and versatile situations of the working life.

Follow us on social media to get all the updates!

Contact:

nerm2022@ifsa.net