The residents and communities of Tampere play a key role in safeguarding biodiversity in the urban environment. Every yard, garden, and block can be part of Tampere's ecological network – it is precisely increasing the diversity of private yard areas that is crucial for Tampere's nature to flourish.
On the other hand, ignorance of the values of local nature or indifference to them can threaten local nature. For example, disturbing endangered or protected organisms, littering, over-management of the environment, or allowing invasive alien species to spread are likely to weaken and destroy the values of local nature.
Awareness of the progress of biodiversity loss has increased. The majority of Finns are concerned about the state of nature and need more information on how to act for the benefit of nature (Ministry of the Environment 2025). Often, a positive relationship with nature also brings with it a desire to act for the benefit of nature. The relationship with nature develops gradually from childhood, which is why it is important that early childhood education and schools can offer all children experiences of nature.
Local nature is important to residents, and they want to work to safeguard biodiversity in the city. In addition, Tampere residents want more information about opportunities to influence, for example, urban planning and about what the city has done and is doing to nurture and improve the state of biodiversity (City of Tampere 2023, 2025b, 2025c).
Finland has a long tradition of citizen science and crowdsourced science. Thanks to crowdsourced science, Finland's bird monitoring data, for example, are globally uniquely comprehensive. The observations of nature enthusiasts and citizens are of great importance in accumulating nature information and monitoring the state of nature. The number of people making species observations in Tampere has increased recently, although the number of species observations has not increased.
You can read more about participating in biodiversity work on the What can you do? page.
Other benefits
- Well-being: Strengthening the connection with nature supports the overall well-being of residents. Spending time in local nature and observing nature promotes mental health, reduces stress, and improves physical health. Nature-related activities also provide meaningful experiences and improve the quality of life.
- Health benefits of contact with nature for the immune system: Activities that take place in nature, such as observing nature, playing, nature management, and hiking, expose one to the nature's microbiota, which has been shown to support the development and functioning of the immune system. This can reduce inflammatory diseases, allergies, and other chronic health problems.
- Social cohesion and community: Voluntary work, observation excursions, and other nature events strengthen the sense of community and increase interaction between different people. This supports social sustainability and prevents social exclusion.
- Strengthening civic activity and participation: The opportunity to influence one's own living environment and participate in safeguarding biodiversity increases democracy and strengthens trust between the city and its residents.
- Improving the city's attractiveness: Visible consideration of natural values and opportunities to participate in work for the benefit of nature make Tampere a more attractive place to live, work, and visit. This can support the development of the city's image as a responsible and vibrant city.
- Economy: Nature-based solutions and resident participation can reduce the city's costs, for example, in stormwater management, green area management, and the maintenance of ecosystem services. In addition, a living environment close to nature can increase the value of properties and support local nature tourism and small businesses.
