Green Key Certification
Oivanki Outdoor Education Centre is committed to responsible tourism. Our efforts towards sustainability have earned us the Green Key environmental label.
Green Key is the world’s leading environmental certification for the tourism industry. Green Key sites are committed to adhering to the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental criteria of the international Green Key program, which includes energy saving, water use efficiency, recycling, and raising environmental awareness.
Responsible Tourism
Our principle is to promote tourism where our customers can experience adventures in an accessible and an equal manner. It is particularly important to us that travelers feel welcome regardless of their background. We do not discriminate anyone and we do our utmost to ensure that no one gets discriminated in our area. We take people’s special needs into account in our operations.
Equality
For us, every person is equally valuable and important. This is evident in our actions, and we expect the same equality from our visitors.
Accessibility
We at Oivanki have created an environment that enables equal and accessible experiences. Wheelchair access is available everywhere, from the birdwatching tower to the fishing pier.
Environmental Responsiblity
Environmental responsibility is visible in many ways. Our food is healthy, clean and home-cooked, produced sustainably. We choose local products and services whenever possible.
Our activities harmonize with the surrounding nature, and the events, camps, and activities we organize encourage people to discover the joy of physical activity and engagement in ways that are environmentally responsible.
Life at Lake Elijärvi
Oivanki is located by Lake Elijärvi, which suffered from eutrophication in past decades. Eutrophication caused blue-green algae and oxygen depletion in the lake.
The condition of Lake Elijärvi has been significantly improved and restored through various projects.
An aeration and oxygenation system has been installed in Lake Elijärvi, ensuring that the oxygen levels remain high enough in winter to prevent phosphorus from sediment from dissolving into the water. The increased oxygen levels also support the maintenance of the lake’s fish population.
Fishing rights in Lake Elijärvi have been leased from the fishing cooperative, and the fish population is managed through stocking, removing cyprinids, and strengthening predator fish populations by fishing restrictions.
Today, the condition of Lake Elijärvi has improved, the lake is abundant with fish, and it offers a wide range of recreational opportunities.
Photo: Ruka-Kuusamo Matkailu ry
