Transforming peat production areas in South Ostrobothnia into multi-objective wetlands 2025-2027 – EPKA
The EPKA project (J11642) was launched at the end of 2025 to extend the Foundation’s restoration activities to the areas of South Ostrobothnia. At the same time, the EPKA project complements the Foundation’s previously initiated POPKA and POPKA2 projects with 3 sites in Seinäjoki, Kauhava and Alavus. On this page you will find information on the objectives, progress and areas of the EPKA project.
EPKA – project objectives
The EPKA project will reclaim around 110 hectares of former peatland (see map at the bottom of the page) as wetlands and peatland habitats by redirecting waters to the area from the waterbodies above, and damming the peatland to retain water in a controlled way, so that otherwise carbon-emitting drained areas can be rewetted as efficiently as possible.
The project also aims to channel off-site water as far as possible through on-site reservoirs and wet peat fields to effectively filter watershed runoff. The project’s objectives support a number of sub-objectives such as increasing biodiversity, reducing carbon emissions and halting climate change and enhancing water protection.
Among the many sub-objectives of the project, the Finnish Game Foundation places particular emphasis on the biodiversity aspect and the promotion of habitats for declining waterfowl.
Mosaneva, Kauhava
Basic information about the project
Project period 3.11.2025-30.9.2027
The project has a budget of EUR 181648 and is made possible by JTF funding from the Central Finland Economic Development Centre.
The EPKA project sites are owned by private owners and the City of Seinäjoki.
Landowners and site users (hunting clubs) agree, as part of the restoration conditions, to maintain the site as an open and functional habitat, to remove small predators from the site and to keep hunting harvest numbers low.
Project premises:
Kurjenneva, Seinäjoki
Mosaneva, Kauhava
Loukasneva, Alavus
Progress of the project
- Q1/2026 Project steering group assembled, project page set up, wetland design tendered
