JTF project site

Restoration of peat production areas in Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu 2024–2026 – POPKA

Peat began to be used as fuel in Finland as early as the 19th century, and peatlands have been drained for a long time for agricultural and forestry use. However, the drainage of peatlands has led to a clear reduction in wetland habitats and significant carbon dioxide emissions. According to some sources, the proportion of natural mires is well below half of the total mire area in Finland, and in some places even significantly less.

POPKA-project rewets the peat production areas.

In the summer of 2024, the Finnish Game Management Foundation was given JTF funding for the POPKA project, aimed at restoring five different peat production areas in Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu during 2024–2026. At the end of 2024, the Foundation applied for additional funding to expand the project under the name POPKA2.

In the European Union co-funded POPKA projects (Restoration of Peat Production Areas in Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu 2024–2026 – POPKA & Conversion of Peat Production Areas into Multi-Purpose Wetlands in Northern Ostrobothnia 2025–2026 – POPKA 2), a total of eight former peat production sites in Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu will be restored, creating approximately 130 hectares of new open water surface area.

POPKA-project: Lamminneva in Pyhäntä, Kivisuo in Kajaani, Kotisuo and Isoahontaus in Pudasjärvi, and Houru in Siikalatva.

POPKA2-project: Kapustasuo Kuusamossa, Pehkeensuo Muhoksella, Valkianeva Siikalatvalla.

The project timeline is 1.6.2024-31.12.2026.

Restoration promotes many objectives

The areas are drained to promote carbon sequestration, improve the water quality of the waterways below, and create wetlands that enhance biodiversity. Restored peat production areas provide excellent breeding and nesting habitats and resting areas for many declining bird species and large numbers of invertebrates. The restoration of these areas will take advantage of the natural elevation differences created by peat production by raising the edge embankments and installing dam structures. Damming will achieve significantly better cost-effectiveness than restoration by dredging, for example.

Why is restoration important? Watch our video here!

Do you know of any former peat production areas that could be suitable for our purposes?

Latest blogs and articles on this topic

From a source of emissions to a water purifier – why are peat production areas being restored as wetlands?

12.3.2025

Restoring peatlands brings many benefits

1.3.2025

Declining waterfowl and waders in focus

Restoration is expected to benefit declining waterbird species in particular, such as the common snipe, the wigeon, and the wood sandpiper, as well as a large number of waders (including the ruff, the wood sandpiper, and the snipe). Although many bird species are the most visible beneficiaries of restoration, restored areas also serve as important habitats for many invertebrate species. Mires and wetlands are home to many dragonfly and butterfly species.

Landowners

The landowners involved in the project include Finland’s largest forest funds, Turveruukki Oy in Oulu, and numerous private landowners. The landowners are committed to maintaining the area in its restored state for at least 10 years after the completion of the project. Waterfowl counting points will be set up in the areas, and efforts will also be made to ensure effective small game hunting in the areas to support the survival of bird broods. Waterbird counting points will be set up in the areas, and efforts will also be made to ensure effective small game hunting to support the survival of bird broods. In addition to landowners, hunting clubs are also important stakeholders for us!