The purpose of nature conservation is to preserve biodiversity at all levels of its expression. Nature conservation keeps the activities of many economic sectors that use natural resources in balance and is one of the most important ways to ensure sustainable development in the country.
Overview
It is hard to define when the history of Estonian nature conservation began. It is believed that natural sacred places (e.g. groves, springs, stones) have been revered in Estonia for millennia. However, the first nature reserve in Estonia and the Baltic states was established on 14 August 1910 on the Vaika Islands for the protection of birds. The establishment of the Vaika Bird Sanctuary is considered the beginning of modern nature conservation in Estonia.
The tasks of nature conservation include protecting endangered species, preserving the diversity of communities and habitats, creating feeding, resting and breeding grounds for game, birds and fish as well as protecting landscapes, water and soil and much more. Nature must be protected systematically, as a whole, by protecting organic nature and the associated inorganic nature as well as their mutual relationships. Only in this way can we ensure the long-term survival of species and their communities.
More information
- References
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Databases:
- Environment Portal Data and maps (in Estonian) > Looduse kaitse
- Nature Observations Database
- EELIS (Estonian Nature Information System) information page
- eBiodiversity
- Land and Spatial Development Board web maps for nature conservation
Foreign databases and information sources:
About nature conservation on other websites:
- Natureweb
- Ministry of Climate: Nature conservation
- Environmental Board - Nature protection
- Protected areas
- RMK: Exploring nature
Estonian nature conservation organizations:
- Baltic Environmental Forum Estonia
- Estonian Chamber of Environmental Associations (in Estonian)
- Estonian Naturalists´ Society
- Estonian Society for Nature Conservation
- Estonian Fund for Nature (ELF)
- BirdLife Estonia (Estonian Ornithological Society)
- Estonian Green Movement-FoE (in Estonian)
- Estonian Seminatural Community Conservation Association
- SEI Tallinn
Foreign nature conservation organizations:
- Legislation
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Conventions and directives:
- The Convention on Biological Diversity
- The Convention on Wetlands
- The Helsinki Convention
- The Aarhus Convention
- The Habitats Directive
- The Birds Directive
Read more in Envionment Portal Nature Web
Nature conservation history
The beginning of Estonia's nature conservation history is difficult to determine. It is believed that natural sacred sites (such as groves, springs, and stones) have been respected in Estonia for thousands of years. The principles of sustainable forestry were first established in Estonia by the Swedish Forest Law, which came into effect in 1664.
Estonian nature conservation system
In Estonia, nature conservation is organized by several institutions under the Ministry of Climate. These include the Ministry of Climate, the Environmental Board, the Environmental Agency, the Land Board, and the State Forest Management Centre.