In Jyväskylä, Finland, police are investigating a possible violation of nature protection laws after an authority approved logging in a breeding area for the protected flying squirrel. This situation arose because the Finnish Environmental Administration has been directing forestry practices mainly through email, leading to concerns among forestry professionals about the clarity and adequacy of these instructions. The flying squirrel's nests must be preserved, with strict regulations against the degradation or loss of breeding habitats.

Henri Mommo, sales manager at the Paijanne Forest Management Association, emphasized the need for clearer guidance and more on-the-ground support from authorities in managing and protecting flying squirrels. He noted that most logging guidance is provided via email, which is insufficient for addressing the complex ecological considerations involved. Forestry professionals are increasingly calling for more direct interactions between regulatory bodies and the forestry sector to ensure compliance with conservation laws while also safeguarding their rights and interests as landowners.

This issue reflects broader challenges in the enforcement of environmental regulations in Finland, where reliance on electronic communication can limit effective oversight. Many stakeholders, including landowners and forestry workers, feel caught in a precarious situation where insufficient engagement from authorities could lead to further ecological damage. Reviving past practices, wherein biologists would conduct on-site inspections of ecosystems, could enhance the protection of vulnerable species like the flying squirrel and ensure more responsible forestry management practices.