Protected areas

Cornerstones of biodiversity conservation
Country Profile: Estonia
Disclaimer: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps, graphics and publications do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. For more information please see:
pp www.protectedplanet.net

Focal point contact information

Mrs. Leelo Kukk
Deputy Director
Environmental Board
Ministry of the Environment
Tallinn, Estonia
E-Mail: leelo.kukk [ at ] keskkonnaamet.ee
Country Statistics
45227 km² 30.22% 2.52%
total country area
 terestrial area protected
(21099.88 km²)		 territorial waters protected
(622.27 km²)
Source: WDPA

Information on the reporting framework

Person completing the survey: Leelo Kukk
Survey completed on 11/27/2009
Multi-stakeholder advisory committee Yes No
Strategic action plan for implementing PoWPA Yes No
Lead agency responsible for implementing the action plan:

Progress in Implementation

Element 1

Strengthening protected areas systems and sites

1.1 Progress in assessing ecological gaps and representativeness

1.2 Progress in assessing integration and connectivity

View assessment results

Progress: 1 - Just started, limited progress

View actions to improve integration
Designated connectivity corridors and/or buffers

GN with core areas as PA-s and corridors between them is designated as county level thematic planning that should be considered by LG-s when updating their comprehensive plans. Ca 30 LG-s (out of 270?) have already considered it.

Changed awareness and behavior of key stakeholders in key connectivity

first attempts on training LG-s and local environmentalists on GN

Changed land use planning, zoning and/or buffers in key connectivity areas

GN with core areas as PA-s and corridors between them is designated as county level thematic planning that should be considered by LG-s when updating their comprehensive plans. Ca 30 LG-s (out of 270?) have already considered it.

Removed barriers to connectivity and ecological functioning

first 5 animal passages are set on main roads and ca 20 passages as well as 7 ecoducts are in planning or project phase

1.3 Progress in assessing transboundary opportunities

View assessment results

Progress: 2 - Activity fully underway

View actions to improve transboundary protected areas
Created transboundary protected area/s

North Livonian Transboundary Ramsar Site (2 Ramsar site in Estonia and 1 in Latvia)

Contributed to the creation of regional-scale conservation corridors

http://www.north-livonia.org/report/MP-North-Livonia.pdf

Created enabling policies for the creation of transboundary protected

Agreement Between the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia and the Ministry of the Environment of the Republic of Estonia on Management of Nature Conservation in Transboundary Context

Established a multi-country coordination mechanism

Transboundary Steering Committe between Estonia & Latvia;

Created market incentives for promoting connectivity and PA

1.4 Progress in developing management plans

View assessment results

Percentage of protected areas with a management plan: ? - Not enough information to answer this question

View actions to improve management planning
Developed guidelines and tools for developing management plans
Provided training and/or technical support in management planning
Developed management plans for protected areas

Please see link to estonia-powpa-progress-23.02.10.pdf in "Survey" section 3).

Changed legislation and/or policy to allow for improved management planning

Since 2009 the management plans are approved by the director general of Environmental Board. Previously it was done by Minster of Environment

Conducted protected area resource

1.5 Progress in assessing protected area threats

View assessment results

Progress: 0 - Not yet begun, no progress

View actions to mitigate and prevent threats
Changed the status and/or governance type of a protected area

Special Conservation Area to nature reserve

Improved staffing numbers and/or skills to prevent and mitigate
Restored degrated areas
Element 2

Governance, equity, participation and benefits sharing

2.1 Equity, Benefits and Governance

View assessment results

Progress: 1 - Just started, limited progress

View actions to improve equitable sharing
Developed compensation mechanisms
View progress made in assessing protected area governance

Progress made in assessing protected area governance: ? - Not enough information to answer this question

Percentage of protected areas assigned an IUCN category: 96-100%

View actions to improve and diversify governance types

No data available

2.2 Indigenous and Local Communities

View assessment results

Progress: 2 - Activity fully underway

View actions to improve indigenous and local community particiapation
Improved mechanisms for participation of indigenous and local communities

Cooperation Panel for Soomaa National Park

Increased participation of indigenous and local communities in key decisions

Joining PAN Parks network (Soomaa National Park)

Other actions to strengthen equitable benefits sharing

Traditional meetings with the representatives of local NGOs

Element 3

Protected area enabling environment

3.1 Policy, Institutional and Socio-Economic Environment

View assessment results

Progress: 0 - Not yet begun, no progress

View actions to improve the protected area policy environment
Integrated PA values and ecological services into the national economy

Sustainable tourism development in protected areas (e.g. PAN Parks)

Cooperated with neighboring countries on transboundary areas

Interreg IIIA funded project "Tuned management and monitoring of the transboundary protected areas in North-Livonia as a support for local development"

View progress made in assessing the contribution of protected areas to national economy

Progress: ? - Not enough information to answer this question

View actions to value the contribution of protected areas
Implemented a communication campaign to value protected areas

in 2010 will be TV campaign

3.2, 3.3 & 3.5 Protected Area Capacity, Technology and Education

View assessment results

Progress: 0 - Not yet begun, no progress

View actions to improve capacity, the use of appropriate technology and/or strengthen education programs
Trained protected area staff

1) semi-natural habitats 2)methods of monitoring 3) overview of studies carried out on protected areas and species 4) cooperation and negotiation skills

Produced public outreach materials

booklets

Conducted public outreach programs

approximately 50 different programs

3.4 Sustainable Finance

View assessment results

Progress: 0 - Not yet begun, no progress

Actions to improve the sustainable finance of protected areas

No data available

Element 4

Standards, assessment and monitoring

4.1 & 4.2 Management Effectiveness and Best Practices

View assessment results

Progress: 1 - Just started, limited progress

Percent of protected areas assessed for management effectiveness: 0-5%

questionnaire is under preparation

View actions to improve management processes within protected areas

No data available

4.3 & 4.4 Monitoring and Research

View assessment results

Progress: 1 - Just started, limited progress

View actions to improve protected area research and monitoring
Assessed the status and trend of key biodiversity
Developed or improved a biological monitoring program
Revised management plan based on monitoring and/or research results
Changed management practices based on the results of monitoring and/or research