A path through peatland history
Review
How did the Peatland Meadow Culture Path perform once the planning had been completed and much of the work done on the site? Marika Saranne, project manager at Peräpohjolan kehitys ry LAG (lead partner in Finland for the LEADER+ peatland project) took stock of achievements in the winter of 2006-2007. Here is what she reckoned:
What the project manager thinks
"The project was made possible through the co-operation of a number of different groups, a combination of professionals and local volunteers. These included the Vikajärvi community, experts from organisations like Metsähallitus, the Geological Survey of Finland , Lapland Regional Environment Centre and local action group Peräpohjolan Kehitys.
"The aim of the site is to show visitors, especially
the younger generation, how hard people worked in the past, and
how they used the peatlands to support themselves. Old
buildings have been restored, including a meadow cabin and
barn, and haystacks, scythes and rakes add to the scene.
Explanatory interpretation helps people understand the
exhibits. Volunteer guides are dressed in old peasant style and
re-enact peasant life on the site. Visitors have the chance to
try mowing for themselves, and hear stories of peasant life on
the meadow peatland.
"Initial plans for the site were drawn up by expert conservation organisations, working in partnership. This fruitful co-operation led to a project where a broad range of disciplines is covered in the site's interpretation.. Once these plans were drafted the next step was to talk to the community. They gave their opinion of the draft plan, and were committed to the regular meetings which were held during the planning process. The community took an active part in this planning. They collected the folklore of the peasant culture and the site's history. They also looked for old tools and buildings, and were involved in voluntary construction work on the site. The stories and folklore they collected are included in the site interpretation.
"The project has been a success because people were open to others' ideas, there were opportunities for discussion, a willingness to redraw plans if necessary, local people were given responsibility and tasks in the planning process and last, but not least, people could see the benefits to the community and individual which came out of the project."
Marika Saranne
