National Parks are unique areas of public land reserved by the government to protect their characteristic and valuable ecosystems, plant and animal species, scenic landscapes, geologic formations, or historical or archaeological sites. They are managed mainly for public recreation, providing opportunities for visitors to view wildlife and enjoy the outdoors. Many national parks have nature trails, campfire and tent sites. Hunting, grazing, logging, and other activitis exploiting natural resources are usually forbidden in national parks, but in Lapland local people have certain extended rights so e.g. hunting and reindeer herding are permitted. National parks also offer opportunities for research and study providing an environment where scientists can observe species in their natural habitat.

In Finland strict nature reserves are managed by the Finnish Forest Research Institute, national parks by two separate quarters: the Forest and Park Service and the Finnish Forest Research Institute.

In addition to the strict nature reserves and national parks there are other protected and conserved areas in Lapland. One consequence of Finnish membership of the European Union was that the Nature Conservation Act had to be reformed in order to meet the requirements of the EU. The Act of 1923 had long been outdated! According to the new law all small areas of certain habitat type are automatically protected. Of these other areas protected peatlands, deciduous woodlands and groves, and old forests are the largest.

Northern Lapland is the only part of Finland where significant areas have already been conserved. But when looking closely at the kind of conservation - reindeer herding, hunting, even logging permitted - the picture isn't all rosy.