The Parkano Unit is promoting sustainable forestry by producing information on forest condition and on forestry especially about peatlands.

Metla's first regional research station was established in Parkano in 1961. The research unit has been situated at its current location on the beautiful Kaironiemi-peninsula, close to the centre of Parkano, since 1975. The research unit initially concentrated on research on into peatlands and peatland forestry, but over the decades the research activities have increased considerably and now include topics related e.g. to silviculture and forest condition and health.

The Parkano Unit manages a total of almost 7,500 hectares of research forests. The Parkano research area is characterised by a high proportion of relatively nutrient-poor peatlands, whereas the Vilppula research area is famous for its fertile mineral soils.

The number of staff at the research unit exceeds 40, ten of them researchers. The employment of temporary staff increases the total number of person-years at the station to nearly 60.