The number of forest management associations in Finland has decreased to 155. As a consequence of mergers decided upon in 2004 the total number of forest management associations was reduced by three at year's end.
The purpose of the mergers is to improve the services supplied by forest management associations to forest owners and to permit more efficient safeguarding of their interests.

Forest management associations are at work all over the country. They are financed and managed by forest owners and they employ a total of 1 100 persons. Their task is to provide services to forest owners in all matters concerning ownership of forests.