In English

Nature is meant for all

Everyone’s Rights means the right for everybody to experience nature.

Finnish Everyone’s Rights gives all of us an opportunity to use nature, even without land ownership.

In Finland, nature is seen as shared riches from which everyone can gain enjoyment without the need for legal ownership.

Everyone’s Rights means the right for everybody to experience nature regardless of who owns the land or occupies it. Using nature within the limits of Everyone’s Rights can be done without prior consultation of the land owner and using nature does not cost anything.

Everyman’s Rights was very recently changed to Everyone’s Rights for equality.

Changing the terms partially supports European Council’s and Finnish Language Board recommendations for the usage of gender neutral language. Everyone’s Rights-format has already been in usage in some forms of media as well as in communications from companies and associations. The term has not become established in common spoken language as of yet.

Everyone’s Rights are traditional rights which give all people certain rights and freedoms to move around in nature and make use of natural resources such as berries and mushrooms without needing landowners’ permission. The aim is to give everyone the chance to enjoy nature and all the benefits it offers, as well as increase wellbeing.

Metsähallitus controls different land and water areas and in some cases there are restrictions on Everyone’s Rights.

– Everyone’s Rights apply in multiple-use forests that are owned by the government. In protected areas, such as national parks and nature reserves, these rights do not automatically apply and they will have different restrictions applied to them. It is always best to check rules and regulations within each area before heading over there, Riikka Myllylä, head of land usage at Metsähallitus reminds us.

As an example, in national parks one can move freely on foot apart from restricted areas. Camping is only allowed in specified locations. Berry picking, mushroom foraging, fishing and ice fishing is allowed.

Forms of traversing mentioned in Everyone’s Rights such as horse riding, cycling and dog sledding are normally only allowed on routes meant for these activities.

Everyone’s Rights

Everyone’s Rights means the right for everybody to see nature regardless of who owns the land or occupies it. Using nature within the limits of Everyone’s Rights can be done without prior consultation of the land owner and using nature does not cost anything.

Acting within the limitations of Everyone’s Rights cannot cause more than slight disturbance to the landowner, land usage or nature.

In national parks and other protected areas, Everyone’s Rights are not valid as they are, since these areas can have stricter rules about traversing and camping.