working group set up by Metsähallitus. Building up of the service offering for hikers, such as routes, lean-tos and campfire sites, began in 1978 according to the first management and utilisation plans. National parks and a number of other nature conservation areas today offer hiking and recreational possibilities across the country. For many years, Metsähallitus’ nature conservation tasks were handled as a part of forestry operations. Since the latter part of the 1970s, personnel specialised in nature conservation tasks have gradually increased, and the Nature Conservation Area office was established in 1981. Ten years later the office was changed to what is now called Natural Heritage Services. The Natural Heritage Services business unit, an ever-expanding field of activity, received its own regional organisation in 1992. Nature conservation tasks and hiking services have been developed to respond to the current conservation demands of nature's biodiversity, as well as to the needs of the recreational use of nature and nature tourism. Leadership See also Pilke House Environmental racism in Europe References External links Government-owned companies of Finland Forestry in Finland Forestry agencies (parastatal)