In search of carbon wisdom – scavenger hunts help you get to know urban nature better

The results of the CO-CARBON project, which studies urban green spaces, can now be found throughout the Helsinki metropolitan area. This treasure hunt, similar to geocaching, consists of four themed routes that invite you to observe the urban green around us through different lenses.

Each route consists of three or four points, with the coordinates for the first one provided in the route description. Hidden at the location indicated by the coordinates is a small container, which in turn contains the coordinates for the next point. The last container holds a small logbook where you can record that you have completed the route. The routes formed by the points vary in length, and estimates of the total distance are provided in the detailed route descriptions. 

“Planning the cache routes was, in principle, easy, because a large amount of geospatial data had been collected during the project, which allowed us to identify suitable locations. However, the work became more difficult when it was time to figure out how to actually implement the hiding spots in the field”, explains doctoral researcher Esko Karvinen, who was responsible for planning the caches together with researcher Oriol García Antúnez.

“We included some more creative designs as well, which will hopefully give seekers just the right amount of a challenge.”

Geocaching is the world’s largest treasure hunt, enjoyed by people of all ages, and it’s not hard to get started. If you haven’t searched for locations using coordinates before, you can find instructions in Google for how to enter coordinates into Google Maps. More detailed instructions for carbon-smart geocaching can be found here. 

The caches can be searched for as long as they remain in good condition. 

You can also explore the theme of urban greenery at the “City Lungs” exhibition, which uses visual means to present the themes of the CO-CARBON project’s final publication. The exhibition is open at the University of Helsinki’s Tiedekulma until October 16. It features a 3 x 2-meter canopy cover map of the Helsinki metropolitan area, where you can check the status of a neighborhood you’re familiar with. An experimental documentary film by artists Teemu Lehmusruusu and Roberto Fusco highlights the connection formed with plants through breathing. 

CO-CARBON is a multidisciplinary research project that has measured and modeled the carbon sequestration capacity of urban green spaces and developed solutions for the carbon-smart implementation of urban green spaces. Participants include the University of Helsinki, Aalto University, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, Häme University of Applied Sciences, and the University of Copenhagen, as well as a wide range of partners: cities, companies, expert organizations, and residents. The project (2020–2026) is funded by the Strategic Research Council operating under the Academy of Finland.

Further information:

Esko Karvinen, doctoral researcher, Finnish Meteorological Institute
esko.karvinen@fmi.fi, +358 50 4399 932

Elina Alatalo, Communications Officer, CO-CARBON, Aalto University
elina.alatalo@aalto.fi, +358 50 5099027