NATURE

On Seili, signs of human presence over the centuries are easy to spot. Farming began here in the Middle Ages, and grazing animals have shaped the landscape for a long time. Between the 1600s and 1900s, the island was likely almost entirely treeless. As grazing has declined, meadows and pastures have gradually begun to grow over.

Seili covers about 160 hectares and has areas of sandy soil, which once made it a suitable location for a leprosy hospital. The island features a variety of habitats and rare species. Its central part is defined by centuries-old traditional landscapes, while the south is lush with broadleaf forests and large areas of hazel. The north, by contrast, is more barren, dominated by coniferous forest. You’ll also find rare habitat types like rocky meadows and near-natural forests.

The entire island is a protected area, and most of its land belongs to the EU’s Natura 2000 conservation network. Traditional land management methods are used to maintain its landscapes, such as mowing, controlled burning, and grazing by sheep and cows. These animals play a key role in keeping the heritage landscapes open and thriving.

Traditional rural biotopes are among the most threatened habitats in Finland, which makes Seili an important home for many protected and monitored species. On the island, you might come across species like the maiden pink, red admiral, peacock butterfly, northern bat, and Daubenton’s bat. A pair of ospreys nests on Seili each year, and their life can be followed through a live stream from the Archipelago Research Institute of the University of Turku.

The care and management of Seili’s unique nature and cultural sites is overseen by Metsähallitus, as most of the island is under their administration. Seili also offers excellent opportunities for research in nature conservation. Please respect nature while visiting. Do not pick plants or any parts of them. Keep your dog on a leash – there are grazing animals, wildlife, and nesting birds on the island.