Sustainability in Focus at the Waterfowlers’ Network Annual Meeting 2025 21st September 2025
Sustainable hunting and waterfowl management was a key theme when the Waterfowlers’ Network gathered for its annual meeting in Lahti, Finland, in May 2025. Participants from partner organizations across Northern Europe shared experiences and discussed how the network can strengthen its efforts on responsibility and long-term management of both birds and habitats.
Text: Lene Midtgaard
Photos: Finnish Wildlife Agency & Lene Midtgaard
A significant part of the meeting was dedicated to formulating broad principles for sustainable hunting and management. Developing a set of recommendations for sustainable waterfowl hunting is highly relevant for the Waterfowlers’ Network. Across Northern Europe, hunting traditions, management practices, and regulations vary from country to country. By formulating shared principles, the network wishes to create a common foundation that strengthens cooperation, improves communication with stakeholders, and highlights hunters’ commitment to responsibility.
Mr. Petteri Lampinen, chairman the Finnish Hunters Association welcomed the participants of the annual meeting.
Veli-Matti Pekkarinen (standing) gave a short status for the work with SOTKA resting areas. The experience is that many birds leave Finland too early in the late summer and early autumn because of disturbance from hunting.
Inspiration from Practice and Projects
The sustainability discussions were enriched by presentations and workshops with Finnish experts, who shared experiences on peatland restoration, waterfowl monitoring, and wetland management. Among the points highlighted was that small wetlands often produce more ducklings than larger ones.
Antti Saarenmaa gave a talk about peatland restoration in Finland
Heikki Helle gave an introduction to the Finnish Waterbird Census. This spring hunters and birdwatchers are observing waterbirds at >1000 sites for the 40th consecutive year of the Waterbird Census.
Andreas Lindén talked about Finnish waterfowl monitoring, both principles of analysis and recent results.
Field Visits with Focus on Staging and Breeding
The program also included field visits, giving participants a first-hand look at wetlands designed both as staging sites for migratory birds and as secure breeding grounds. One highlight was Kiilonen, the latest site supported by the Waterfowlers’ Network. Situated on an old farm in South-Western Finland, the 60-hectare area had been left fallow for decades until a young couple bought the property. Their vision is to unlock the true potential of this hidden wildlife paradise by combining biodiversity restoration with opportunities for sustainable hunting. At Kiilonen, participants could see how targeted management and local commitment can create valuable habitats that tie directly into the network’s broader sustainability goals.
Kiilonen wetlands, Vesilahti, constructed late 2024. Kiilonen is a Waterfowlers’ Network and Finnish Game Foundation sponsor site.
In 2024 NARGC donated 25,000 euro to future SOTKA-projects in Finland. The Danish Hunters Nature Foundation also made a donation to support SOTKA. The doners were very happy meet the owners of the stunning Kiilonen project site.
Collaboration Across Borders
The meeting made clear that there is strong momentum to push the sustainability agenda across borders. By developing shared principles and fostering exchange of knowledge and experience, the network aims to ensure that hunting and waterfowl management in Northern Europe rests on a solid, science-based, and responsible foundation.
During the visit, a video about the Waterfowlers' Network visit, with Chairman Claus Lind Christensen and Head of Game Management at the Finnish Wildlife Agency, was made. You can watch the video here.