Salo IoT Campus is involved in supporting the Pollinator Castle project in Salo

A management plan is being developed for the Nakolinna park area adjacent to Salo IoT Campus, aimed at supporting pollinators and biodiversity while considering the area's valuable cultural heritage. The management plan will cover a ten-hectare area.

The project is led by Tapio and is being implemented in collaboration with the City of Salo. Tapio is responsible for the natural habitat management planning and oversight. We receive important expert support for pollinators from the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) and for traditional biotopes from the Southwest Finland Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre). Sara Turunen, project manager and expert from Tapio, mentions. Salo IoT Campus and Valmet Automotive are sponsoring the project.

The management plan for the area has been developed during the fall of 2022, and the natural conservation measures are planned to be implemented in early 2023. As biodiversity increases, the recreational and landscape values of the area will also improve. As a sustainable measure, grazing of animals such as sheep is planned for the area.

– Agriculture is an important livelihood in Salo, so improving pollinator habitats is crucial for the area. Nakolinna-Varesvuori area is also a great destination for recreation, conveniently located near the city center, even though the current situation has deteriorated due to overgrowth, says environmental inspector Jaana Röytiö from the City of Salo.

The project aims to showcase how biodiversity and essential ecosystem services can be safeguarded through pollinator-friendly habitat management, while preserving the unique characteristics of the area. Hopefully, Salon Pölyttäjälinna will serve as a successful example for other municipalities planning similar projects.