New Nature Reserve in Kainuu – FabPatch Ltd. helps protect Brown Trout and Finland’s precious peatlands 

A new 66.5-hectare permanent nature reserve, Suopaikka (Peatland patch), has been established in Puolanka through a collaboration between local private forest owners and FabPatch Ltd, a company built on circular economy principles. 

The Suopaikka reserve is located along the Jänisjoki River in Puolanka. Covering 66.5 hectares, it includes natural spring areas, untouched open mires, and gradually foresting fens. Suopaikka forms part of the Kiiminkijoki Natura 2000 catchment area and provides an important habitat for the brown trout.  

FabPatch Ltd, a company specializing in textile repair patches, wants to show that even small businesses can take concrete and meaningful action for nature conservation. 

According to Taija Sailio, CEO of FabPatch Ltd, the decision to join the conservation project reflects the company’s core values. FabPatch is best known for its textile repair products. 

“Our customers already make significant contributions in their daily lives by repairing textiles and saving natural resources. For us, taking part in establishing a nature reserve is a natural extension of our circular economy business model. We are proud to be able to repair a piece of northern nature,” Sailio says. 

FabPatch Ltd operates on the principles of the circular economy. The company hopes to inspire other micro and small enterprises, which represent over 93% of all Finnish companies, to take part in environmental action. 

The Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre) decisions highlights the area’s value as a diverse natural habitat and as an important carbon sink. Since there is no forestry in the area, the tree population continues to grow each year, strengthening its capacity to capture and store carbon. In addition to streams, the area includes ecologically valuable rich fens and other natural peatlands. It is also home to several natural springs and seepage areas that support lush, grove-like vegetation.   

“It is important not to think of nature and forests only in terms of euros or cubic meters. In forest biodiversity, the perspective of the hazel grouse is just as essential as the economic viewpoint. Permanent protection ensures that future generations inherit more than stumps and monotonous planted forests,” say forest owners Mikko Viitanen and Ville Wittenberg. 

Further information:  

Taija Sailio, CEO, FabPatch LTD 
p. +358400991004
taija.sailio@fabpatch.com