Autumnal Helsinki was filled with the joy of outdoor activity and a sense of community when the traditional charity event, the Herring Row and Hike, was held on Sunday, 4 October, the opening day of the Helsinki Baltic Herring Market. The event brought together Rotary clubs, businesses and other organisations to make a tangible contribution to protecting our local waters and the Baltic Sea.
As part of the charity event, twelve traditional church boats rowed from Kaisaniemi shore around Kruununhaka and Tervasaari to the MarinaBay pier in Katajanokka. At the same time, just over sixty walkers followed the same route along the shoreline, stopping at information points focused on the Baltic Sea. Altogether, the event brought approximately 270 people together to enjoy the outdoors and raise funds for Baltic Sea conservation.
The event also brought Rotarians from abroad to Helsinki, from Estonia, Sweden, Germany and Italy. Five boats included international participants: two boats carrying exchange students and three carrying Rotarians from abroad. The maritime weather and seamless teamwork provided the setting for an unforgettable day outdoors, with every stroke of the oar and every step supporting conservation efforts.
Wetlands Are Nature’s Own “Sponges”
The Herring Row has a long history. Now held for the 14th time, the event has raised approximately €100,000 since 2013 to support various organisations’ work for the Baltic Sea.
This year, the funds raised through the Herring Row will support WWF Finland’s work to create so-called multifunctional wetlands. Wetlands help reduce the amount of nutrients washed into waterways and increase biodiversity. They act as nature’s own “sponges”, slowing the flow of water and retaining up to 90 per cent of the soil particles and nutrients carried by the water. At the same time, wetlands enhance the landscape and improve the area’s recreational value.
“Building wetlands is a highly suitable project for us Rotarians throughout the country as a way of protecting the Baltic Sea. After all, almost our entire country lies within the Baltic Sea catchment area, and wetlands allow us to effectively prevent nutrients from flowing into the rivers that empty into the sea. At the same time, we also promote biodiversity,” said Juha Kuronen, the host of the Herring Row event.
The Rowing and Hiking Day Culminated in a Baltic Sea Seminar
After the rowing and hiking activities, participants once again gathered to hear about a topical issue concerning the Baltic Sea.
At the seminar, Pasi Valkama, Group Manager at Sitowise Oy, spoke about multifunctional wetlands in water protection work. Viivi Kaasonen, Conservation Specialist at WWF Finland, discussed the importance of catchment areas when creating wetlands and WWF Finland’s activities in this field.
The Event Is the Result of Collaboration Between Several Rotary Clubs and Partners
“At the Herring Row, team spirit grows stronger as we work together to improve the condition of the Baltic Sea,” the organisers remind us. A warm thank-you to all the rowing teams, hikers, sponsors and volunteers who helped organise the event!
The Herring Row was organised by ten Rotary clubs: Finlandia Hall and its satellite clubs, Helsinki International, Helsinki Kamppi, Herttoniemi-Hertonäs, Helsingin koillinen, Meri-Espoo, Riihimäki-Hausjärvi, Rotaract Helsinki, Tapiola and Vantaa-Myyrmäki. Rotary District 1420, covering Southern Finland and Estonia, also took part.
Sponsors and partners of the rowing event included Viking Line, K-Supermarket Hertta, Ventoniemi, Stadin Silakkamarkkinat, the Baltic Sea Challenge/City of Helsinki, Helsingin Suomalainen Klubi and the Finnish Lifeboat Institution, Minun mereni ry, MarinaBay Guest Harbour, the Uusimaa district of the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, and Hiiohoi Oy.
Text: Hannele Kauranne and Tarja Uitti
Photo: Sanna Liimatainen ja Kari Tilli
Event website: https://www.silakkasoutu.fi
