The Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation has purchased Penninkijoki forest, which extends to more than 18 hectares. This is a beautiful mosaic of bogs and moors on the border of Perho and Halsua in Central Ostrobothnia. The natural river Penninkijoki, which gives the conservation area its name, flows along the southern border of the area.
“The forests near river Penninkijoki are untouched and contain a mixed tree stand. It includes many aspens, some of which are very large, hollow trees,” explains Ari-Pekka Auvinen, Conservation Officer at the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation.
Penninkijoki forest is the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation’s second conservation area in Perho. In 2015, the Foundation protected an area named Syrjäjoki, which is located approximately 12 kilometres from Penninkijoki as the crow flies. Even closer, only two kilometres behind the border to Halsua municipality, is the bog forest Virvatuli, which was protected in 2012.
“These areas make up the wilderness of Suomenselkä and are the habitat of golden eagles and forest reindeer, so it is important to protect them,” Ari-Pekka Auvinen states.
The 3,550-hectare Natura area of Hangasneva-Säästöpiirinneva is located only approximately three hundred metres away from Penninkijoki forest. The Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation aims to connect Penninkijoki with the Natura area.
