In the autumn of 2023, the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation protected Kartano forest in Mannila, Eura. The five-hectare forest has a high tree density and a peaceful location away from the main road, surrounded by wooded areas.

Kartano forest is extremely varied in terms of both trees and terrain, like a kind of cross-section of the most common forest types of Finland – it is edged by gently sloping rock, and the central parts are covered in herb-rich and fresh heath. The dense forest and varied landscape are enchantingly beautiful. The forest can be called bigger than the sum of its parts with good reason.

Kartano forest has many large, extremely tall supercanopy trees. There is also plenty of both standing and lying decayed wood in the forest; the southern part seems quite primeval with its old goat willows and aspen. The centre of the forest hides an old meadow where birch trees grow, but otherwise the trees are mostly coniferous. Some beautiful paths twist and turn in the shade of the trees. The forest also has a water element: to the west, the area borders the neighbour’s pond, and a ditch crosses the centre of the forest, with water flowing through streams into the large lake Pyhäjärvi. The ditch could be restored to a more natural state.

Many bird species enjoy the forest and nest there: woodpeckers, crested tits, spotted flycatchers, chiffchaffs, wood warblers, blackcaps, wrens, greenfinches, tree pipits and goldcrests have been observed, among other species. A hazelhen with its young has also been spotted in the forest, and the region is known to be popular among willow grouse. The toad also seems to feel at home in the area, as do deer.