The Helsinki Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to long-term nature conservation through innovative methods. Central to its mission is the Greenspace Guardian program, which allows individuals and corporations to directly fund the purchase of ecologically significant land. The land, identified with the help of conservation experts, is divided into "virtual Greenspaces," each assigned to donors who gain veto rights over any proposed land-use changes. This unique model ensures active participation in conservation while maintaining the land in its natural state. With projects spanning countries like Finland, Australia, and Estonia, the foundation empowers individuals to contribute to global conservation efforts, even with modest donations.
Guardians receive GPS coordinates of their chosen Greenspace, fostering a tangible connection to the environment. Operating with minimal administrative costs, the foundation dedicates the majority of its funds to land acquisition and preservation, championing a collective approach to environmental stewardship.
