The next peat bog?

The series of Satumaa school workshops kicked off on 2 September in Eurajoki, when pupils from Sydänmaa school reflected on the next stage of development of Kahalansuo and Lamminsuo.

The Kahalansuo part of the area has been used for peat production for more than 100 years, but the Aukea-Kahala peat factory used only a small part of the large area. The production of growing peat, which started in the 1960s, turned both Kahalansuo and Lamminsuo into peat production areas. As peat production in the area comes to an end, it is time to move on to the next phase. Today’s primary school pupils will be adults by then, so decisions made in the present will affect their future landscape. Therefore, the project will also develop future visions with future peatland users. Some of the pupils who participated in this workshop may also be involved in the decision-making process as border neighbours, landowners or municipal councillors in the future.

During the workshop, the participants were introduced to the landscape history of the peat bog in general, and the peat bog in particular as the subject of the study. During the visit, the participants were shown the finished peat products, production methods and machinery, and the production area.

Finally, the pupils reflected on possible or desired futures for the peat bog under study. The results of this reflection will be presented later in the autumn in the form of an art exhibition.

Neova Group hosted the visit to the Kekkilä site. The visual arts project was designed and supervised by the Association of Cultural Heritage Education in Finland.

More about the workshop and the visit on our instagram account