Project

This project is run in the cooperation with the Estonian Fund for Nature (ELF). ELF’s conservation work camps project, which is carried out from 1998, has two main goals. One is to carry out conservation work in nature parks and protected areas and second is to bring people closer to nature, to promote environment-friendly and sustainable lifestyle. International conservation work camps are important part of ELF’s conservation holidays project. In international work camps ELF always involves local people to work alongside participants from other countries. The benefit in education, understanding and shared cultures is great, and the experience remembered by all. Also this kind of conservation work helps to raise awareness of local people about values of local nature and importance of old traditional land management.

The project aim is to maintain the natural site - wooded meadows of Nedrema and Laelatu in South-Western Estonia. These two areas were granted protection in 1991, and was designated a nature reserve in 2007. Both areas are in UNESCO Tentative Heritage List. The Nedrema wooded meadow is Europe's largest traditional managed wooded meadow. The nature reserve is rich in wildlife and plants, notably fungi and and unusual orchids. Laelatu wooded meadow is famous for its record high plant diversity. 78 species of higher plants found in 1 m² is the highest known in Northern- Europe. All in all about 20 ha land is home to over 200 species of higher plants along with several animal and fungi. Opposite to modern agricultural ecosystems wooded meadows represent a remarkable aesthetic value that is expressed in the diverse flora and fauna as well as in the characteristic heterogeneous appearance of half-opened landscape. In terms of appearance and ecological conditions, wooded meadows are similar to parks, yet are considerably older and initially arose from natural communities. Wooded meadows encompass the set of ancient agricultural traditions including former working methods, tools and celebrations related to agricultural activities. They serve an example of respective and wise attitude towards nature.

Work

Under supervision of local experts local and international volunteers will be mowing the wooded meadows. The work will mainly consist of raking and taking hay off the meadow. Besides the international and local volunteers under the supervision of local experts from Estonian Nature Fund will be running awareness workshops on wooded meadows and their protection and management techniques among volunteers and UNESCO work for heritage protection and, in particular, about 2014 WHV campaign focused on sustainable development. As the result at the end of the 2 week project, around ten hectares of wooded meadows will be maintained. Typical working day is 6 hours: 9 -12 & 13-16. A large group of Estonian volunteers will join the camp in Nedrema.

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