River restoration by Snowchange cooperative, Sevettijärvi, Sápmi
About this good practice
Arctic areas have warmed multiple times faster than global average due to climate change, impacting local people and nature.
Indigenous peoples are identified amongst the groups most vulnerable to climate change. In Sápmi (Sámiland), this means indigenous Sámi people and traditional livelihoods that are strongly dependent on nature.
Snowchange cooperative has worked together with the local Skolt Sámi people in Sevettijärvi to restore parts of Näätämö River, especially focusing in combining mitigation of the impacts of climate change, stopping biodiversity loss and water-shed based protection of water systems. A special emphasis has been put on supporting traditional knowledge, indigenous rights, cultural heritage, traditional land use and livelihoods.
Näätämö River is also an important source of fish for the local people and an important habitat for a vast range of natural species on Finnish and Norwegian side of the border. The Näätämö river basin is 3 169 km2, 81% of which is in the Finnish side.
The project has included:
1. Restoration plan for the whole watershed area and a cooperative management plan
2. An extensive report on Skolt Sámi land use
3. Complete restoration of Kirakka rapids and Vainos River, altogether 6 kilometres of river nature
4. Community based environmental follow ups, considering also the unique knowledge of local women
5. Reforms related to fishing quotas and river management
Resources needed
Done as a part of Landscape Rewilding Project, main funder European Investment Bank.
Evidence of success
The habitats of Kirakka rapids and Vainos River, altogether 6 kilometres of river nature have been restored. Also, Snowchange cooperative’s work has been rewarded internationally.
The approach fully involving local community and indigenous people had many visible benefits, e.g. enabling utilizing traditional knowledge in planning and restoration.
Potential for learning or transfer
Huge potential for international learning on how to work with local people in restoration projects for better involvement, accceptance and results. Also, shows the important role of non-profit organizations towards improved climate change adaptation and mitigating the negative impacts of climate change.
Also, this project highlights the importance of healthy river habitats in climate change adaptation and how these kinds of restoration projects often bring benefits accross borders - like in the case of Sevettijärvi.