28 May 2013 A Tour of Kevo

Journal

Kevo Subarctic Research Station itself is a really nice facility. I feel very fortunate to be staying here. I thought I would take you on a brief photo tour of some of the "highlights" of the station.

Overall Location

Kevo is located on Kevojarvi (Kevo Lake) in the Utsjoki valley. 'Joki' means river, and the Utsjoki runs through a series of lakes in this valley, emptying into the Tenojoki (Teno River) on the Finland/Norway boarder in the community of Utsjoki, 25 km north of Kevo.

The following image shows the Utsjoki Valley. The Kevo Research station is on the peninsula that juts out into the lake on the top row, second from the left.

Satellite Composite Utsjoki Valley — This satellite composite image shows the Kevo area as a river (the Utsjoki) running through a series of lakes. The river runs from south to north, which is right to left in this picture. To the east and west of the valley (the top and bottom parts of the picture) run a series of ridges (called fells).

Looking closer, you can clearly see the road to Kevo, and some of the buildings in the center of the upper image.

Satellite composite Kevo Station — The main area of the Kevo Research Station sits on the peninsula that juts out into Kevojarvi, or Kevo Lake.

Having trouble interpreting these images? Here, I will point to the research station!

Pointing to Kevo — We boated across the lake and climbed the ridge to the west of Kevo. It offered superb views of the Utsjoki Valley! Kevo Research Station is on the tip of the peninsula.

Main Facilities

There is a map down at the parking lot that shows where the buildings are.

Kevo Map — Map of the Kevo Subarctic Research Station on Kevo Lake.

However, the layout of the station is such that you really are not aware of all the buildings. Using the slope and natural vegetation, most of the living quarters are hidden from each other, and you are really not aware of others until you meet them at the dining hall in the main building.

Kevo Main Building — The main building at Kevo is the social gathering center. It also houses offices, a library, guest rooms, laundry facilities and the all-important dining hall.

Kevo Dining Hall — Check out the view from the dining hall! This is also a nice quiet place to sit and work in the evenings, overlooking the lake with the sun streaming through the windows.

The lab facility is central to the research station.

Kevo Laboratory — There is a sizable lab building at the research station.

The main corridor inside the lab building is currently lined with moth larvae buckets. Each of these contains 200 larvae, and they need to be fed fresh birch leaves every two days. They need to be a specific size before they are released into the enclosures up at the Puksa site.

Kevo lab corridor — The autumnal moth project is currently taking up a lot of corridor space inside the lab!

I am living with Kim, Abby, and Heini in a house called Juovva. It is a complete residence, with kitchen and bathroom facilities. Notice that you can see all the way through the building. I am told that the Finns love windows, and Juovva has plenty of window area in every room. I love it!

Important Facilities

OK, so those were the necessary facilities. Now, here are the important facilities!

Kevo Sauna — Some would say this is the most important building at the station. Any idea what is inside? Check out the next picture…

Another Finnish tradition is the Laavu. It is modeled after the traditional Sami dwelling. Inside is a fireplace, and people gather to visit and cook sausages.