Jasmine Eisener, a second-year BSc student pursuing a Forest Operations major, spent her summer in Finland at Metsähallitus Forestry Ltd, interning in various departments from Forestry Management to Customer Logistics to Communications. Jasmine has had nothing short of a holistically enriching summer, detailing her experiences in each department and how Finland manages its forests and public sectors. She shares her internship experience below:
My Summer with Metsähallitus
Have you ever wondered how Finland annually produces more cubic metres of timber than British Columbia, while still being celebrated for its sustainability and efficiency?
This summer I had the incredible opportunity to work in Northern Finland with Metsähallitus ltd. to learn all about how they manage all the public forests in Finland. Over the past 3.5 months, I had the privilege of working side by side with forest specialists, taking part in controlled burnings, restoring streams by creating fish spawning areas, and even participating in a reindeer herding!
I began my internship at Metsähallitus Forestry Ltd. in the Forest Property Management Department, then moved to the Silviculture and Road Construction Department, spent a few weeks in Customer Logistics, and concluded my summer in Communications.
Forest Property Management Department
Within the Forestry Property Management Department, I was taught about different types of thinnings, environmental challenges and also social considerations that the forest planners (aka forest specialists) encounter. It was fascinating to see the good relationship between Reindeer herders and Metsähallitus, as it showed me what working with other large organizations can look like within forest management.
Silviculture and Road Construction Department
The time I spent in Silviculture and road construction was exciting, as I got to see how the plans created by the forest specialists were put into practice. I got to experience road and bridge assessments, as well as how culverts and drainages are planned and created. I got to witness many thinnings, clearcuts with retention, and swamp restoration as well as what those areas look like many years after the operations! One experience that stood out to me was witnessing the processes involved in running a rock quarry, whose products are being used to build and maintain local forest roads. Getting to participate in a 90ha controlled burning was also a very impactful experience!
Customer Logistics Department
My time spent in customer logistics was crucial to seeing how a forestry company like Metsähallitus is able to operate on such a large land area while maintaining smooth, efficient and practical operations. I got to see how the location of logs, who is trucking them and where the logs are being transported was all optimized with private contractors and Mestähallitus staff. I was impressed with the balance of train and truck use – optimizing fuel costs and travel distance while maintaining high levels of organization. I got to visit many railway storage yards, which are used as a middle ground between the harvesting and the processing of timber as well as participate in operator controls, which calibrate the harvest machines to ensure high precision in the amount and size of trees being harvested.
Experiences worth highlighting
Though every day was truly the best day, there were some experiences I want to highlight and thank Metsähallitus for allowing/giving me the opportunity to participate in.
I had the great opportunity to participate in a Reindeer herding, learning and getting an immersive Finnish experience, thanks to the inspiring relationship between the Reindeer herders and Metsähallitus. This experience left me with much respect for Reindeer herders and their lifestyle, thanks to Tapio Vuolo, head of the Palojärvi Cooperatives, who invited us!
Another unforgettable experience was creating a fish habitat as part of stream restoration. Being fully submerged in the stream while creating spawning areas deepened my understanding of how forestry practices impact fish-bearing streams and strengthened my passion for restoration work—seeing firsthand the ways we can bring these ecosystems back to life was incredibly rewarding. Thank you Sihveri Ervasti for your patience and bug net!
Getting to participate in representing Metsähallitus at a children’s concert in Levi was an experience I would have never expected to be part of my summer. The hot Lappish sun and surrounding fells (tunturit) made for an inspiring day as I witnessed how Metsähallitus not only values its relationship with the adult population but also actively engages the younger generation. As someone passionate about shaping public perception and working with youth to promote forest-friendly practices, it was rewarding to see those values in action. Metsähallitus encourages environmentally responsible habits, which is also reflected in their epic and extensive forest science center, located just on the ground floor of the main office building!
Participating in a controlled burning was so impactful in so many ways. Getting to see FRST 320 content being put into practice only led to my further passion for caring for the land through fire. I also got to participate in the final extinguishing of a 30 ha forest fire initiated by lightning, while witnessing drone usage to see further spreading. These experiences are something that I know I will draw on throughout my career as controlled burnings and forest fires become more prevalent!
Though there is so much more I have experienced (swamp restoration, old growth forest inventory, visiting research forests, taking a wildlife census, talking to incredible forestry women and meeting Metsähallitus’ CEO), I only have so much space to write; however, I would be more than happy to talk further with anyone interested or willing to listen! This summer deserves a special thanks to every single person who helped me settle paperwork, who planned my weekly schedule, and who went out of their way to give me an internship that was so much better than what I could have dreamed of!
Kiitos paljon Metsähallitus, for welcoming me and deepening my passion for efficient, sustainable and economic forestry through passionate and wise people! I truly can not express the level of gratitude to the many inspiring people that has made my summer experience one that left me with an extensive set of skills and memories.
(All photos courtesy of Jasmine Eisner)