Three Journalists Share Finland's Best Biodiversity Award 2011-2012

Minister of the Environment Ville Niinistö thanked the winners chosen by the Finnish National Committee of IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature. ʻTo care for the natural diversity we need information and people who disseminate information. Competent and well-informed journalists play an important role in this work. It is great to see that the belief in the critical educational role of the media perseveres.ʼ

Journalist Peter Buchert is a political journalist of the Swedish-language newspaper Hufvudstadsbladet. He specialises in the biodiversity both in Finland and globally. He has managed to popularise difficult issues in a fascinating way and basing his articles on facts. His articles on threatened species, genetic resources, nature conservation and biodiversity have been of interest also to others than those well-informed on biodiversity. Mr. Buchert understands the political field, shows personal interest and is well-written. He has a good nose for news-worthy matters that others have not yet recognised.

Journalist Päivi Mäki-Petäjä has succeeded in raising biodiversity in the major news broadcasts of MTV3. She is a versatile journalist with good knowledge on nature issues. In her journalism, she relies on the best research data available and on her extensive network of specialists. She is capable of popularising a most difficult subject without omitting anything essential. Ms. Mäki-Petäjä goes to great lengths when acquiring film material: from research vessels in the Baltic, from bird skerries, from traditional heritage landscapes to dark forests. She has also made documentaries on threatened species, such as the white-tailed eagle.

Journalist Ann-Mari Rannikko’s nature page in the Finnish-language regional newspaper Turun Sanomat is easy to read, tempting and inspiring. Readers praise the nature page as exceptionally interesting, good-quality and versatile. It is the product of Ms. Rannikko’s long-term interest in nature. The nature page has told about biodiversity by means of peculiar features in the neighbouring landscape to long-standing nature conservation work with threatened species. The nature page has been supplemented by one of the most popular TV programmes on the local cable TV in the Turku region. The programmes are also available on the internet. Ms. Rannikko has been able to make nature issues important and significant.

IUCN National Committee: the Winners of the Competition Significantly Increase Knowledge on Biodiversity

The jury of the competition, the IUCN National Committee of Finland would like to thank the journalists for keeping up the topic of biodiversity in the news. The news touch Finns of many ages in different parts of the country and improve common knowledge on nature. The news also increase the level of knowledge of political decision-makers on the importance of biodiversity thus making decision-making easier. Also the general acceptance of biodiversity in society gets stronger.

Through these three journalists, the IUCN National Committee of Finland would also like to thank all other journalists and communication professionals that, through their work, have helped raise biodiversity to public knowledge and as a topic for debate in society.

The Best Biodiversity Action was sought after by a national competition in Finland. The aim was to find solutions that improve biodiversity and human well-being. The competition was organized by the National Committee of Finland of IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature. The competition is organized every two years.

Winners Receive Works of Artist Johanna Lumme

The winners of the competition received works of art by young artist Johanna Lumme. The oil paintings express the way art can portray the beauty of nature and add to people’s interest in the conservation of the environment and biodiversity, just as the winners have done in the own field of work. The source of inspiration for the paintings of Ms. Lumme is often nature and all that can be experienced and seen there – from small insects to beautiful sunsets.

The appreciation for nature comes directly from her heart. Ms. Lumme says: ʻAs an artist I would like to remind people of the fact that nature is the lifeblood of our existence. It is a great honour for me to be here, as your work for biodiversity is being awarded. Nature must be treated with respect and appreciation. Animals should be given space, too, for they have the same right to be here as us humans. We all need the gifts of nature to live. The value of nature is immense.ʼ

The winners also received Certificates of Honour, designed by graphic artist Jari Kostet.

IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature is the oldest and largest global environmental organisation and network. The Finnish membership in IUCN includes the Ministry of the Environment, Finnish Wildlife Agency, WWF Finland, Finnish Society for Nature and Environment (Natur och Miljö) and Finnish Association for Nature Conservation.

More information:
Counsellor Marina von Weissenberg, IUCN Regional Councillor, West Europe,
tel.int. +358 50 307 0806, [email protected] [marina.vonweissenberg]
Senior Environmental Adviser Matti Nummelin, IUCN National Committee of Finland, Chair,
tel.int. +358 40 503 8442, [email protected]