Vanhankaupunginlahti Bay Nature Reserve

Vanhankaupunginlahti bay (= Old Town Bay) and the adjacent Viikki meadow area are located in the geographical centre of Helsinki, which gives this area quite a unique status. River Vantaa flows to Vanhankaupunginlahti bay mixing fresh water to the brackish water environment of the Baltic Sea. The salinity varies from almost sweet to almost brackish, and because of this, both brackish water and fresh water species inhabit the bay.

The most abundant habitat in Vanhankaupunginlahti bay is wetland dominated by reed, yet the Vanhankaupunginlahti bay -Viikki area on the whole is very diverse in habitats. It is a mosaic of forests, alder marshes, fields and meadows. Accordingly, plant and animal life in the area is abundant, which makes Vanhankaupunginlahti bay a place of great interest for both researches and nature enthusiasts. 

The value of Vanhankaupunginlahti bay as a wetland is recognized both nationally and internationally. This 316-hectare area is among the most valuable bird sanctuaries and conservation areas on the coastal Gulf of Finland and it is the most important nature reserve in Helsinki. A variety of birds nest in the Vanhankaupunginlahti bay area and vast flocks of geese, waterfowl and wading birds stop at the bay to feed and rest during their annual migration.

In 1976, Finland ratified the Ramsar Convention of Wetlands and Vanhankaupunginlahti bay was included on its list of internationally important wetlands. This intergovernmental treaty provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation of wetlands, as wetlands constitute a resource of great ecological, economic, scientific and recreational value. Viikki is also part of the EU Natura 2000 network, and European Union LIFE financing has been available for its various protection measures.