Two important Snowchange-related reports and science released today – the Sámi Truth and Reconciliation Report on Waters and Haida Research Framework for learning X̱aad Kíl.

Today in Inari Snowchange is involved in the release of the Sámi Truth and Reconciliation Report on Waters. In summary this Sámi Truth and Reconciliation Commission article reviews the status and trends of lake Inari and rivers Paatsjoki and Näätämö as central Sámi biocultural water ecosystems. It mainly focuses on the past 15 years (2009–2025) given the drivers of change in climate, water quality, land use, Sámi rights, water regulation and invasive species. Article summarizes a suite of scientific articles and Indigenous Sámi knowledge and experiences of the three basins. Näätämö River is the most natural out of the three and lake Inari and Paatsjoki have been regulated since 1940s.

Contemporary challenges include for example expanding tourism, natural resources extraction and the geopolitical situation of the 2020s. Invasive and introduced species include for example pink salmon, vendace, lake trout and mink. Despite the range of impacts to these waters we need to appreciate them also as examples of outstanding basins in European context. Therefore responses and corrective measures are proposed – these include for example seeking a UNESCO World Heritage status for these waters – working title ”Unique Freshwaters of Sápmi”, establishment of a new umbrella organization Sámi Water Forum, restoration of catchments and river flows where applicable, enhanced waste and plastics residue collection, further monitoring of microplastics, removal of smaller hydrodams and creation of free passage for migratory and salmonid species.

Several initiatives to support Sámi language, culture and rights associated with waters are proposed. Lastly the article underscores the role of natural springs, often overlooked but culturally important waters that should be fully protected from all industrial land use. The report is available here (in Finnish).

In Vancouver, Haida Research Framework for learning X̱aad Kí, i.e. the Ph D of Haida leader Jasḵwaan A. Bedard has been released. She is one of the co-founders of Snowchange and summarizes: “X̱aad Kíhlga tl’a gúusuugiigangsaang research project aims to support and enhance Haida community experiences learning, teaching, and speaking Xaad Kil (Massett dialect of the Haida language) by finding creative and caring solutions to unique challenges conducting Haida language learning programs. While the direct translation for X̱aad Kíhlga tl’a gúusuugiigangsaang means “The Haida Language will be spoken for all time” and serves as a foundational philosophy for this project, I’ve used “A Haida Research Framework for Learning X̱aad Kíl” to describe the project outcome.

This research requires prioritizing Haida worldview, laws, and protocols while structuring Haida language learning and teaching to meet the needs of learners and community. In designing and adopting a Haida specific approach to Indigenous research methodology, the Haida laws of yahgudang respect, tla yahdah to make things right, ahl kyáanaang tláagang to ask first and gin ‘wáadluwaan gud ahl kwáagiidang everything is connected to everything else frame this project. These Haida laws shape and guide the pathway to X̱aad Kíl learning that responds to the specific community needs of Gaw Tlagée Old Massett, Haida Gwaii. Using a collaborative and qualitative approach to research and research analysis, X̱aad Kíhlga tl’a gúusuugiigangsaang includes autobiographical analysis, community interviews of X̱aad Kíl students, teachers, Knowledge Holders, and Birth Speakers, as well as the voices of íitl’ kuniisii our Ancestors, who left their knowledge within various research mediums conducted about the Haida language and worldview over the years. “A Haida Research Framework for Learning X̱aad Kíl” creates a pathway for X̱aad Kíl learning and can be helpful to other Indigenous language communities that have unique and specialized language situations.”

The research is available here.

Early summer newsletter reports efforts in fisheries, rewilding, Arctic Circle peatlands and – yes – traditional knowledge of Eurasian squirrel. The season is here!

Fisheries in the rewilding landscape of Onkamo lakes in North Karelia are under way. Captain Karoliina is leading efforts to determine the status and trends of the fish, eutrophication levels and structure of the bay areas. Healthy catches of pike, pikeperch, bream and many other species are coming into the fish traps and produced at the HQ to fish products. We expect the yields to increase towards midsummer as the waters warm up.

Similarly, we are working with LUKE at the lower Koitajoki to investigate the situation of the land-locked Atlantic Salmon and migratory smolts. As a part of the ELSP efforts on Koitajoki the monitoring trap is gently trapping those salmon who leave on their migration, and following a review of their size and numbers, they are released downstream as an important action to determine how the stocks are doing. So far in the first 3 weeks numbers of smolts have been low around 15 fish. The trap monitoring will last until mid-summer.

In rewilding news exciting things are moving ahead. We are already restoring in the range of 80 hectares of peatlands and Valkeajoki stream in Koitajoki. Also Pahkasuo peatland has been restored by River Guardians and Snowchange staff this week. Koitajoki restoration will continue throug the season. At the Arctic Circle we expect a busy rewilding season with Ranua peatlands under way. As one of the major sites Miehinkäaapa peatland from Salla, over 140 hectares and with adjacent sites at 200 hectares, joined the programme in winter. It is an example of an outstanding Arctic Circle region peatlands associated with the Climate Breakthrough. Another highlight was the Palojärvi old growth forest and river in Selkie, North Karelia, that joined the programme in late May.

In the science news a new paper out in Ecology and Evolution reviews the traditional knowledge, science and status of Eurasian Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). It has played an important role in Finnish traditional culture and livelihoods since pre-historic times. This paper analyzes the current role, status, and trends of the red squirrel using both available scientific evidence and testimonies from oral historians who were immersed in Finland’s boreal hunting societies during the mid-1900s.

The convergence of observations points to the decline of this iconic mammal of northern forests and increased migration to urban habitats. Red squirrels are not currently seen as being of great relevance to conservation efforts, despite their central role in spreading seeds and in boreal predator–prey food chains. If the animal is lost from Finland’s remaining boreal timber forests, their absence may have consequences that are not yet understood. This article contains previously unavailable cultural knowledge of the Eurasian red squirrel, directly curated by knowledge holders. It presents an important nexus of different ways of knowing.

We look forwards to a busy rewilding and fishing summer! Check back in June for summer updates.

Cold May begins the summer season. Restoration activities are under way in Koitajoki, Arctic Circle peatlands and Western Finland. New Peatland Atlas supports Eastern European restoration efforts. Fisheries commence in Onkamo lakes this week.

Weather is keeping cold but birds are returning to the restoration sites in the boreal. Large peatlands are being restored as a part of the Koitajoki ELSP activities and first one, Niittysuo is soon to be completed.

Related to the Arctic Circle peatlands new sites and landscapes have joined in the spring. Kukasjänkä in Sodankylä is an important small peatland habitat close to lake Unari. New atlas is supporting Eastern European restoration efforts. As well as new article summarizes some of the relevance of the rewilding programme, out now.

In lake Onkamo area the fish traps and gill netting will commence in the open water fisheries this week. Captain Karoliina will lead efforts to enable the first fishery of the season in open water.

Snowchange participates in a Nordic project to support Polish and Ukrainian efforts to boost restoration in the region. A recent field visit collected experts from three countries and saw the release of the much-anticipated “Peatland Restoration Atlas” developed by Snowchange for the partners.

The Nordic Council funded project “Nature-based solutions in open wetlands restoration for biodiversity, water quality improvement and climate mitigation” has partners in Poland, Ukraine and Finland. It is coordinated by Ogólnopolskie Towarzystwo Ochrony Ptaków – OTOP, a birding organization from Poland.

Snowchange helped to develop the “Peatland Restoration Atlas” for the Ukrainian and Polish partners. On a recent field visit several restoration sites were discussed between project partners, and the trip included visits to Bagno Bubnów meadow restoration, Holeszów re-wetting site and several more including national parks in Poland. 

The Atlas itself contains already the first mapped sites and includes for example highlights such as

Haidamatske Swamp Nature reserve

The Haidamatske Swamp Reserve, covering 751.7 hectares in the Zheryvskyi and Obukhivetskyi forestry districts, holds both natural and historical significance. It served as a shelter for Haidamaka bands in the 18th century and later for partisans during wartime conflicts. The reserve features mixed pine-oak forests, raised bogs, and a diverse array of plant and animal species, including rare and protected flora like Pasque flower and Early-purple orchid, and fauna such as the European pond turtle and the Eurasian lynx. The area is home to unique ecosystems, including sphagnum bogs, but faces potential threats from logging and drainage. Efforts are underway to monitor and protect this important site through ongoing Environmental Impact Assessments.

Irdyn Swamp

Irdyn Swamp, located in Ukraine’s Cherkasy region, is a crucial wetland ecosystem that shelters a wide variety of protected species. The swamp, which was historically used for peat extraction, is now a candidate for national park status due to its biodiversity. It is home to rare species such as the red-bellied toad (Bombina bombina), white stork (Ciconia ciconia), Apollo butterfly (Parnassius mnemosyne), and the large oak longhorn beetle (Cerambyx cerdo). In total, over 250 populations of protected species have been recorded here, with many listed in the Red Book of Ukraine and the IUCN Red List. Since 2019, the Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group has been advocating for the establishment of the “Irdynske” National Nature Park, which will play a key role in preserving these species and the natural heritage of the region.

The project will conclude in the Autumn with further reporting on results of the Atlas.

April is here and this means the end of the seining season. Late spring brought large peatlands to the rewilding program and several international visits and summits.

During the winter over 550 hectares of Arctic Circle peatlands were included into the Landscape Rewilding Program including Korppiaapa in Sodankylä and Miehinkäaapa in Salla. Both are critically important peatland-forest ecosystems and complement existing large conservation areas.

Winter seining season is closing in Puruvesi. Captain Karo has led the team through an intense winter fishery and given the warm temperatures at present we expect the season to close a bit early in April. Thank you to the whole team! Spring fisheries will commence in May.

March was a time of international summits and meetings. Noora was over in UNESCO discussing climate change and restoration priorities in Paris. Kaisu participated in the World Forum 2025 together with VIPs and leaders around the world including Hillary and Bill Clinton. A large community tour of the Pacific concluded this week with visits to Australia, Solomon Islands and delegates from Vanuatu participated also in Honiara, Aotearoa and finally an extensive visit to the Indigenous communities of Taiwan, the expected site of the Festival of Northern Fishing Festival 2026. Thank you all for the amazing times and discussions that will frame the Pacific work for the next 5 years!