Students participate in environmental protection initiative at Ahtiala Lake in Lempäälä

Nikolas Pirttisalo, a resident of Lempäälä, hoists a scythe to cut down aquatic vegetation in Lake Ahtiala. “This work is essential. It’s a magnificent lake, and it’s great that it is being kept in good condition,” he comments. Alongside Pirttisalo, around twenty second and third-year high school students don wading boots to participate in a practical lesson on environmental protection as part of their course at Lempäälä High School.

The Ahtiala Lake is renowned as one of Finland’s top bird lakes, but it struggles without assistance. A key issue is the invasive plant species, the water buttercup, which prevents birds from accessing the island. As students make progress with each sweep of the scythe, they witness the island becoming more open. This hands-on experience is the essence of the course, says biology teacher Merja Kuisma, adding that it’s the first program of its kind she has come across in Finland.

Each seasonal activity of the environmental conservation course includes tasks such as placing nesting boxes for waterfowl in spring. The voluntary course is organized in collaboration with the Pirkanmaa Bird Study Association and the Lokki Island restoration group.

Support, including the purchase of waders, has been provided through annual grants for environmental education from the Ministry of the Environment. Students have the opportunity to observe birds up close outside of nesting periods. “It’s amazing; usually, you only see birds from a distance,” says student Miia Simonen. Fellow student Amanda Larikka appreciates the chance to see rarer species that are not typically visible in their backyards.

Moreover, students engage with local water analyses and fishing studies, developing insights that may direct some toward environmental careers. This hands-on approach aims to instill a sense of agency and commitment in young people towards nature conservation.