Ovako establishes nature reserve in southeastern Finland
Steel company Ovako has protected 3.1 hectares of forest in Rajaniemi. The area meets the criteria for Finland's METSO biodiversity program.
Steel manufacturer Ovako has established a 3.1-hectare private nature reserve in Rajaniemi, located near Lappeenranta in southeastern Finland. The site consists primarily of mature mixed woodland situated on fertile soil.
The protected status of the forest is based on the criteria set by Finland’s METSO Forest Biodiversity Programme. This new reserve serves as an extension to an adjacent existing nature preserve, increasing the connectivity of the local ecosystem.
"We wanted to safeguard the ecological value of our forest for the future. Protecting this area was a concrete way for us to preserve biodiversity," said Anssi Puruskainen of Ovako.
The designation ensures the permanent protection of the area, removing it from future commercial forestry use.