The Finnish River Management Association Virho – Finland

The Finnish River Management Association Virho (Virtavesien hoitoyhdistys Virho ry) is nominated for the 2022 Nordic Council Environment Prize.

The Finnish River Management Association Virho (Virtavesien hoitoyhdistys Virho ry) is nominated for the 2022 Nordic Council Environment Prize.

During its more than 30-year history, the association has restored hundreds of kilometres of rivers and streams in a variety of landscapes. Among other reasons, we can be grateful for Virho’s work because Vanda has been restored to become the best trout river in Finland. The aim of the association is to strengthen biodiversity as a whole in areas of flowing water and to improve fish stocks.

The organisation is largely based on voluntary work. Over the years, thousands of citizens have participated as volunteers in the restoration days and the association’s active members have taken part in a project which saw unnecessary dams torn down and bypasses built around obstacles to walking routes.

The practical work also supports the research goals and Virho compiles information about fishing for research purposes in the national experimental fishing register, for example. Virho’s endeavours also have a significant education dimension, which includes co-operation with various companies and schools. Virho’s activities have set an example throughout Finland and a large number of similar restoration days and projects have been launched.