Across the boreal forests, peatlands, and freshwater systems of northern Europe, Indigenous and local communities have long stewarded landscapes shaped by seasonal cycles of snow, water, and forest. In Finland and the wider Arctic–boreal region, these lands support traditional livelihoods such as fishing, hunting, and small-scale reindeer herding—practices rooted in ecological knowledge passed through generations.

Today, many of these northern landscapes face accelerating change. Industrial forestry, peat extraction, and climate-driven warming have altered watersheds, degraded wetlands, and disrupted habitats that sustain both wildlife and traditional livelihoods. Ecosystems once defined by stable winter conditions and intact peatlands are increasingly vulnerable to erosion, biodiversity loss, and shifting seasonal patterns.

Founded in 2000, the Snowchange Cooperative works with Indigenous and local communities across the Nordic region to restore and protect these northern landscapes. Through community-led conservation and habitat restoration, Snowchange helps repair damaged ecosystems while strengthening the cultural relationships that have long sustained them. Snowchange is now expanding its work to North America and the Pacific.