The EU’s LIFE+ environmental fund is providing Sveaskog with SEK 6 million for nature conservation in the Ridö-Sundbyholm archipelago ecopark. This grant is making it possible for Sveaskog to undertake rapid measures to save the ecopark’s endangered forests.
“It feels really great. We worked frantically on the application before the end of last year and after that we had to wait and hope,” says Mats Larshagen, Sveaskog’s administrator for the LIFE+-project in the Ridö-Sundbyholm archipelago ecopark.
The ecopark, which is located in the inner area of Mälaren, was opened in 2005 and since then Sveaskog has worked on restoring old grazing land and deciduous forests. Money from the EU is opening up new opportunities.
“We will primarily use the money to fence off large pastures and remove the fir trees growing in the broad-leaf deciduous forests. We also intend to make a major investment in information and guides for visitors,” says Mats Larshagen.
The Ridö-Sundbyholm archipelago is unique due to its large lime forests, with mistletoe creeping among the foliage. It is also the only place in Sweden where several rare beetles can be found. The ecopark receives many visitors during the summer.
The project will continue until 2014 and is a partnership between the county councils in Västmanland, Södermanland and Uppsala, Sveaskog and Upplandsstiftelsen (the Uppland Foundation).
For further information contact:
Mats Larshagen, administrator of the LIFE+-project in the Ridö-Sundbyholm archipelago ecopark, Sveaskog, tel.: +46 (0)7070-373 34 65
Stefan Bleckert, Director of Conservation at Sveaskog, +46 (0)70-666 82 10
Esbjörn Wahlberg, Press Officer at Sveaskog, tel.: +46 (0)70-231 35 02
Facts: Sveaskog
Sveaskog is Sweden's largest forest owner and a leading supplier of timber, pulpwood and biofuel. The company is also involved in land sales, caters for hunting and fishing and provides land for local entrepreneurs within nature-based tourism. Forest is the heart of Sveaskog and the company’s vision is to be at the forefront of developing forest values. By focusing on profitability and environmental considerations, Sveaskog is contributing to long-term sustainable development.