Photo: Laura Riihelä

RESPONSIBILITY

Hahkiala is a farm awarded with the Wildlife Estates* symbol. Our most important value is care, which is aimed at our guests, our staff, as well as nature and the community where we operate. For us, caring means acting responsibly from an economic, ecological and socio-cultural point of view. In this way, we contribute to sustainable development through our own activities and offer our guests a responsibly produced high-quality service experience in a wonderful environment.

Thank you for choosing a responsible destination! As our guests, you can enjoy the clear water of the lakes, the calming silence of the forests, and the authentic Hämälä country landscape with all the gifts of nature.

Financial responsibility

Our goal is to develop our operations continuously and we are committed to making long-term investments in the locality where we operate. We employ local people and favor local operators to support regional economic growth.

Our partner, Uisko Catering, procures products from local producers.

In our purchases, we invest in machines and furniture that are of high quality and can be repaired if necessary.

Sociocultural responsibility

Our work culture is based on ethical values, we do not accept discrimination or exploitation in any form and we make sure that the working conditions are excellent. In order to ensure the well-being and safety of our guests and staff during COVID-19, we strictly follow the authorities' instructions and our safe visit operating model.

We pay special attention to safe arrangements at our events and related services. We also require the partners we choose to work ethically and sustainably, taking safety into account.

We strive to have a positive impact on the employment situation in the area by restoring our valuable furniture in Hämeenlinna at the Deaf and Deaf-Blind Work Center in Sampola and by making furniture from our own wood at local carpenters such as Ilonen Puutyö. In addition, we renovate our existing traditional and valuable properties, favoring local operators for construction work.

Ecological responsibility

Hahkiala's offices are located in the middle of nature in the peace of the countryside, so it is of the utmost importance for us to consider the environment in all our activities, so that our guests can enjoy a clean and vibrant environment.

Our active environmental care includes nurturing diversity in forest management, feeding game to support game populations and using highland cattle as caretakers of coastal pastures. Highland cattle maintain a valuable cultural landscape at the same time by reducing the nitrogen and phosphorus stress on the lakes. We are active in the Pro Hauhonselkä water protection association, whose goal is to improve the water quality of the surrounding lakes. In 2018, we built a large Lintusuo wetland on the manor's land to foster biodiversity and reduce the water load of the surrounding agriculture. The book about the life of the wetland was published in the summer of 2022 and the book is available at myynti@hahkiala.com.

By operating energy-efficiently, we do valuable things for nature every day and thus reduce the carbon footprint of our operations. We heat both Hahkiala Manor and Uiskola with renewable energy, which have their own chip heating plants made in Finland. The chips used are made from PEFC-certified wood. In the larger meeting rooms, we use nature-friendly ventilation using cutting-edge technology, which allows the air to change hygienically and 100% in seven minutes and to cool the air with spring water. In addition, we have two of our own biological wastewater treatment plants in operation, which are manufactured in Finland.

Through our partners, ecological thinking is carried to the table. The purity of the raw materials is ensured by a network of local producers and local fishermen, berry pickers and mushroom pickers, as well as Hahkiala's own rhubarb and apple orchards. At the same time, we reduce emissions from transportation. In our Uiskola klava garden, we grow vegetables, herbs and ornamental plants, which are used in food preparation and beautiful presentation. Fresh spring water is preferred for both cooking and drinking.