Finnish Nature-Lovers Lining Up to Pay to Live as Shepherds

The whole concept was developed by the Finnish Forest Association after years of work in national parks, where livestock like cows and sheep graze in order to help preserve and maintain the natural landscape. Shepherds receive no pay for their services and even have to pay for the pleasure of saving Mother Nature. As compensation, the shepherds become leaseholders of the farm where animals are bred. The responsibility for the animals, however, stays with the Finnish Forest Association. The income from the shepherds' "entrance fees" is directed to the development of nature reserves.

Out of nearly 4,800 applications already submitted this year, only 142 lucky winners will be handpicked to look after the animals in the beautiful Nordic nature. The chosen ones will work in twelve natural reserves and national parks across Finland, including those in Lemmenjoki, Kolovesi, Mikkeli and Utsjoki.

​In 2017, Finland will become the first country in the world to honor its natural environment with an official flag day. The Ministry of the Interior has ordered national flags should be flown on Finnish Nature Day, which falls on the last Saturday of August.