The last two years spent working on the Eloisa Espoo action program have brought the people of Espoo together around a common goal. The direction for this work was set by the City Council in December 2022 when they outlined the objective of strengthening urban nature. The Council decided that during the years 2023–2025, additional appropriations would be directed towards the benefit of urban nature, especially for planting trees, shrubs, and other plants, as well as establishing meadows. This decision is supported by the idea of diverse cooperation in the spirit of the Espoo Story, involving the city, residents, communities, educational institutions, and businesses.

To support this goal, the Eloisa Espoo action program was established at the beginning of 2024. Over the course of two years, the program facilitated a wide range of volunteer activities (talkoot), cultural content, afforestation projects, events, and art-based nature experiences, which invited Espoo residents of all ages to act on behalf of nature.

An overview of the 2024–2025 program period achievements:

Year 2024 – The year of experimentation

Spring 2024 – Planning, Networks, and Communication

The first months of the Eloisa Espoo action program were dedicated to careful preparation. Work was done to build cooperation networks, plan communication, and finalize the structure of the program.

The program's goals were defined as increasing nature literacy, deepening local nature experience, and improving the amenity of the urban environment. The aim was to promote these goals through concrete actions and by experimenting with new operating models.
We also decided to integrate experiential cultural content into the local nature volunteer events, as cooperation with residents was seen as a key resource.
When outlining the content, it was decided that the task for 2024 would be to build and test new ideas. The objective was to pilot various projects and find the most effective ways to strengthen Espoo's urban nature.

Summer 2024 – Bringing urban environment to life

The summer season of 2024 was opened by introducing a lush seating area in Tapiola

The summer was kicked off with a cozy and modular seating area in the heart of Tapiola. This green and blooming space was implemented in collaboration with the City of Espoo's green unit and Parkly. The pilot offered a new place to pause in their everyday lives and provided a model for experiments that enrich the environment.

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Launching the Eloisa Espoo action program on Espoo day

The Eloisa Espoo action program was launched on Espoo Day in an event for the whole family, held in Tapionpuisto on August 31, 2024. This joyful nature day gathered large numbers of Espoo residents to enjoy music, circus performances, workshops, and community-based activities. The day culminated in an open-air movie screening, realized in collaboration with Espoo Ciné, featuring Virpi Suutari's documentary film, Children of the Coniferous Forest (Havumetsän lapset).

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Other musical performers at the event included children's music artist Ville Karttunen, Pomppulinnan kreivi, and singer-songwriter Jutta Rahmel, who combines pop and folk. The event also featured a circus performance by Espoo Circus School Eskon and included important speeches from representatives of movements such as Aktivistimummot (Activist Grannies) and clinical geneticist and gene researcher Helena Kääriäinen.

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Autumn 2024 – The first open volunteer work events

Tree Day, September 27 – Afforestation volunteer event a success despite stormy weather

The autumn storm did not discourage the volunteers: successful volunteer work was carried out on Tree Day, September 27, 2024, despite the stormy weather. In Nupuri, approximately 2,000 spruces and 500 birches were planted in cooperation with Espoo's Green Unit as part of the area's afforestation work.

The result was impressive – about a hectare of new, carbon-sequestering, growing forest.

‍Aalto University insect hotel workshop

In October 2024, the last effort of the autumn and the season took place when Aalto University students built insect hotels in the Otaniemi campus environment to support pollinators and other small urban wildlife.

Insect hotels provide habitats for many small pollinators and other beneficial insects. Their holes and crevices serve as nests, shelters, and hibernation spots, which helps maintain biodiversity. When wild bees, ladybugs, and other insects thrive in the garden, they improve pollination and help keep pests under control naturally. An insect hotel is an easy way to support a healthier, more vibrant local environment.

You can also easily build an insect hotel in your own yard. Check the instructions, for example, on the Martat organization's website (link: https://www.martat.fi/puutarha/puutarhan-tyot/kasvinsuojelu/otokkahotelli/).

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Year 2025 – A Year of actions, volunteering , and events

Spring 2025 – Planning more detailed actions

The year 2025 kicked off with a more finalized operating model and strengthened cooperation networks. During the spring planning period, the goal for the year was set to bring nature-friendly actions in a diverse and balanced manner to all five Espoo city centers (Tapiola, Leppävaara, Matinkylä–Olari, Espoonlahti, and Espoo Centre).

The year's practical actions were opened in an inspiring way at the Nature Deeds! (Luontotekoja!) event for the whole family, held at Villa Elfvik on April 26, 2025.

Summer 2025 – Volunteer Work and Events

June 5, Olarinniitty, Matinkylä–Olari (World Environment Day)

The volunteer work focused on removing plants that diminish biodiversity and strengthening meadow nature. The plant to be removed this time was the Nootka lupine.

Nootka lupine spreads rapidly and takes living space from the meadow's native plants. It makes the soil more nutrient-rich, causing many wild flowers and meadow insects to lose their habitat. As original plants decrease, the biodiversity of the entire meadow environment weakens. Therefore, removing the lupine helps meadows remain vital.
At the same time, litter that had ended up in the terrain was collected, in line with the UN's World Environment Day theme.

June 7, Siuntionniitty, Leppävaara (International Volunteer Day)

Lupine was also removed at the Siuntionniitty volunteer event. Using the removed plants, an "Lupine Graphics" workshop, led by the Seikkailutaidekoulu (Adventure Art School) and Metsän Mimmit (Nature Mums), was held, where prints made with biodegradable dyes brought creative joy to the day.

August 13, Olarinluoma, Tapiola

Volunteers removed harmful growth of non-native goldenrod species (e.g., Canadian goldenrod and tall goldenrod).
Goldenrods spread quickly and form dense stands that displace many native plant species of meadows and roadsides. They consume a lot of nutrients, shade out other plants, and reduce the number of flowers important to pollinators. When plant diversity declines, insects and other meadow organisms also lose their habitat. Removing goldenrods helps maintain diverse and vibrant local nature.

The volunteer day also included painting with plant dyes, led by the Adventure Art School.

August 20, Espoonlahti

Weeding of goldenrod stands continued in a relaxed atmosphere in Espoonlahti. In addition to goldenrods, significant amounts of Himalayan balsam were removed from the area. Musician Tuomas Skopa created a warm atmosphere for the volunteer day with his acoustic performance.

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August 29–September 7, Kiertokulku Nature Trail, Espoo Centre

The Kiertokulku – The Flow of Life along the Espoo River trail, part of the Espoo Day program, invited travelers on an approximately 800-meter journey across eight checkpoints to contemplate the continuity of nature. The route awakened the senses, offered places to pause, and opened up a new perspective on the Espoo River environment. The entire concept was implemented in cooperation with the Adventure Art School.

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‍Puutarhafest) on Espoo Day, August 30, at Espoo City Garden

In collaboration with Espoo City Environment, Espoo City Events, and numerous volunteers, A Livable Espoo organized the environment-themed Garden Fest for the whole family. The event featured a wide range of workshops where attendees built insect hotels, planted plants, and learned about the activities and machinery of both the City Garden and the wider Espoo Green Unit. The stage program, in turn, featured speeches on the importance of biodiversity and a diverse range of performers, from singer-songwriter Antti Autio to stand-up comedian Iikka Kivi.

The Garden Fest program was curated according to the environmental theme. The day was opened by Tuomas Skopa, who performed cover songs on his guitar. After this, Lelukavereiden Laulukerho (Toy Friends' Singing Club) performed two different sets and organized a nature vote for children on important local nature issues. Contemporary folk music band Kasvu band led the program into the early evening, where Antti Autio also performed solo. The program culminated in stand-up comedian Iikka Kivi's A Special Relationship with Nature solo performance. The stage program also included speeches from individuals such as Espoo City Councillor and Member of Parliament Tiina Elo (Vihr.).

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Autumn 2025 – Finalizing the Actions

A Livable Espoo's own volunteer year culminated once again in afforestation work on Tree Day, September 27, 2025. In Miilukorpi, Espoo, 400 spruces and 100 birches were planted in an old field area. The afforestation volunteer event was extremely successful and attracted numerous participants. The restoration of the area progressed in a wonderful community spirit toward a diverse local forest.

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In Conclusion

Our action period and funding will end at the end of year 2025. We encourage everyone to continue self-initiated work for the benefit of diverse urban nature in the future as well.

Small actions have a big impact. You can plant pollinator-friendly plants, leave a small natural strip in a corner of your yard or balcony, build an insect hotel or a birdhouse, and collect litter while out walking. You are free to remove non-native garden escapees, such as lupine, Himalayan balsam, Canadian goldenrod, and tall goldenrod, from the city's meadows. Explore nature with your loved ones – your relationship with nature is built through doing and experiencing. Every action helps increase biodiversity and makes the urban environment more pleasant for everyone.

The Eloisa Espoo working group is currently exploring various continuation possibilities for 2026. We will inform you on our website and other channels as soon as we know about the continuation!

We wish you an excellent end to the year and a warm thank you for your cooperation!

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