Catch up on our Finnish Wilderness event

Last night, we were transported to the wild landscapes of Finland to hear all about the nature-immersed adventures here and how you can do your part to give back to the local environment. And what an evening it was! Both our speakers shared a passion for not only Finland's fine landscapes but what lay beneath, literally, as they delved deeper into the Finnish wilderness' biodiversity – something you can do yourself on one of Exodus Travels' 'Citizen Science' departures. 

Travel writer Martin Symington told us about the adventures he had on his own Exodus Travels trip, like dog mushing through snow-caked fir forests, snowshoeing in Riisitunturi National Park and marvelling at the northern lights. Then Exodus' Head of Sustainability Rochelle Turner followed that up by telling us a bit more about the 'Citizen Science' bit of the trip and how we can get involved ourselves. By the end of the evening, we were not only desperate to visit Finland but do our bit for the environment while we were there, too.

If you missed the event or had to leave early, then don't worry. We have the full recording of the event plus the answers to your questions right here... 

Watch the full recording

Your questions answered

Do we get to find out the results of the eBioAtlas samples we help with on the 'Citizen Science' element of our trip?

Yes, you do. Everyone who takes part in the trip gets a report of what the findings are and the species that were found. It does take eight to ten weeks to process. The samples are first sent back to the lab and the process of sequencing the DNA and then matching back to the known species databases takes about 8-10 weeks.  Its always exciting waiting for the results to come through.

Are the locals intrigued by the scientific elements of these trips, too?

They are! All of the people that help with these scientific elements are local guides and they tell these wonderful stories about sharing their experiences with their colleagues and what it means to them. Because it's so new and different, where you're drawing up water and pushing it through \ syringe, you don't get to do that on normal trips. So, it does generate this interest with people asking lots of questions and then becoming very engaged in trying to discover the answers to them.

How long does it take to learn dog sledding?

 In this case, you haven't got much of an option! It takes perhaps five minutes. You get into pairs, where one person is the passenger and the other is driver, before you swap over about half way through your experience. As the driver, the only controls you've got is a command for the dogs to get you going and then they feel turbo-charge. The only other control you have is the mechanical brake, which you can use to stop or as a signal for the dogs to slow down. It's very simple, where you can go and have fun. It brings the child out of people!

What is being done to combat the use of single-use plastics?

At Exodus Travels, we have almost got rid of the single-use plastics we are directly responsible for on our trips. We are not giving away any plastic bottles and bags, as well as conversations with the hotels we work with. We are having regular conversations and while we are not perfect, we are trying to adopt any plastics initiatives and good examples from around the world and implement them.

Martin's top tip
Go to Finland a later in the year, like in March rather than December or January, then you will get quite a lot more light. That ensures you get the longer days in order to make the most of everything you can do there. If you're really keen and wanted to maximise your chances the aurora borealis then look for when it's New Moon because, the Moon being the magical satellite it is, causes light pollution in itself. So, look to go when it's New Moon.

Rochelle’s top tip
Nature and biodiversity is under huge threat. Tourism that relies so much on nature, can play a huge role here.  The science element within our 17 different Citizen Science trips across the world is just a small part of the overall adventure but it gives you a chance to give something back and support scientific understanding. Just this small act of taking the samples can help remind us of our connection with nature and ensure that it is valued and protected for future generations.

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What did you have to say? 

Thank you very much. My bucket list has now grown!

What a wonderful evening, I found it so interesting!

A really engaging evening so thank you to Martin and Rochelle.

Great presentations. Enthusiastic and knowledgeable speakers.

I've stayed at that camp before and now I want to go back again!

A look inside the evening