The uniqe nature in Sundsber
With its 145 km of shoreline, Kirkkonummi has a decidedly maritime atmosphere. Contrasting with the austerity of the municipality’s rugged coastal landscapes are numerous lush groves, historically important cultivated landscapes, lake-filled highlands, swamps and wilderness forests. Nature conservation areas account for a considerable part of Kirkkonummi’s total land area.
Sundsberg Kartanonranta is located in a culturally significant landscape edged by the sea and extensive forest areas. The abundant natural vegetation is supplemented by imported plant species that recall the area’s country manor and villa traditions.
The Sundsberg area’s animal life is extremely diversified owing to the vastness of its forest areas and coastal location. The forest provides land mammals with a diverse habitat. Among those that can be seen in the area are moose, white-tailed deer, roe deer, foxes, racoon dogs, badgers, minks and ermines.
Endangered species spotted in the area include flying squirrels, lesser spotted woodpeckers and red-breasted flycatchers. Colonies of the rare sea-living beetle species Macroplea pubipennis have also been found along the shores of Espoonlahti; care has been taken to preserve the aforementioned species at Sundsberg.
The area has a maritime climate. Kartanonranta borders on the lower part of Espoonlahti Bay, a valuable bird conservation area that will become part of the Natura programme.
Construction has been concentrated to maximise the recreational utilisation of Kirkkonummi’s extensive wilderness and shore areas. Sundsberg provides excellent possibilities for activities such as hiking, canoe expeditions, birdwatching as well as berry and mushroom picking. To preserve the magnificent forests bordering the housing areas, local residents and the EKE Corporation are together designing a network of nature trails; persons moving about the forest will be encouraged to use the same paths, thereby eliminating the trampled soil and broken twigs that would result if everyone took their own route.
