Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas Geopark ry
Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas UNESCO Global Geopark is administered by the Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas Geopark ry association, which was established by the municipalities in the region. It develops and maintains Geopark in cooperation with Metsähallitus, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), member companies and associations and other stakeholders. The association develops the area in accordance with the requirements of the Geopark brand.
Strength in unity
The Geopark association develops the area in close cooperation with municipalities, companies, associations, organisations and local people. The association’s Board of Directors includes representatives from each Geopark municipality and from local tourism service companies by sub-region.
The members of the Board of Directors for the period 2021–2024 are (deputy members in brackets):
- Marko Rajamäki, Kankaanpää, chairperson 2023 – 2024 (Mika Hatanpää)
- Marko Keski-Sikkilä, Karijoki, vice chairperson 2023 – 2024 (Jenni Rankaviita)
- Marketta Nummijärvi, Kauhajoki (Riitta Alapiha)
- Tarja Hosiasluoma, Karvia (Kaija Kangas)
- Elina Kortesmaa, Parkano (Aki Viitasaari)
- Juha Herrala, Isojoki (Juha Mattila)
- Heli Kaskiluoto, Siikainen (Miia Leivo)
- Petri Liukku, Kihniö (Kristiina Mäkelä)
- Teemu Huhtakangas, Jämijärvi (Aku Autio)
- Hannu Raitio, Pirkanmaa entrepreneurs (Noora Törmä)
- Sanni Luomahaara, Satakunta entrepreneurs (Sari Vuorela)
- Teppo Toivanen (Etelä-Pohjanmaa entrepreneurs (Ismo Nousiainen)
- Metsähallitus (expert member)
- Markku Saarinen, LUKE (expert member)
Get involved
You can join the Geopark association with an application. The Geopark association has member companies and associations providing tourism services, whose offerings are presented on the Services page.
Metsähallitus
Most of the Geopark sites are located in Metsähallitus areas. Metsähallitus is a key Geopark partner. Metsähallitus builds, maintains and develops hiking services for its sites in the Geopark area, ensures their accessibility, comfort and protection, ensures the safety of its visitors, provides advice, monitors the state of nature, researches, restores and reports.
Metsähallitus’ maintenance service provider maintains campsites regularly throughout the year and ensures that the sites are safe and tidy. Site guidance will be developed in cooperation between Metsähallitus and Geopark. Geopark runs projects and handles communications together with Metsähallitus.
Metsähallitus is fostering natural values and taking care of our shared wealth responsibly across generations.
-Metsa.fi
Metsähallitus’ customer service
Parks & Wildlife Finland is responsible for customer service at Geopark’s Metsähallitus hiking sites. Customer service is available on weekdays.
Contact:
Phone: +358206 39 5270 mon – fri 9 – 15
Email: sisasuomi(at)metsa.fi
Nature excursion starting point
The Metsähallitus website contains plenty of information on the Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas UNESCO Global Geopark area. Other Finnish Geoparks are also presented on the Geopark page of Metsähallitus. Many Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas Geopark sites have their own pages on Nationalparks.fi.
- Lauhanvuori national park
- Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas national park
- Hämeenkangas
- Alkkianvuori
- Mustansaarenkeidas
