Conservation management plans and action plans for the protection of species provide for activities and works to improve and/or maintain the status of protected natural objects and protected species.

In addition to inventories, surveys and monitoring, it may be necessary to carry out various practical activities, such as closing ditches and roads, removing bushes, milling to restore semi-natural communities, building fences, and maintaining protected trees. Such works are called nature conservation works and are organised by the Environmental Board.

Larger mire restoration projects are carried out by the State Forest Management Centre.

According to the plans and needs, a list of works is compiled and terms of reference are prepared, which are published on the website of the Environmental Board. The priority order of nature conservation works is:

• activities necessary for the improvement of the quality and state of the habitat of a protected category I species;
• priority I (highest) activities planned in the management plans;
• activities related to the restoration and maintenance of semi-natural communities;
• all other activities necessary to ensure the order and good condition of the protected objects.

In order to carry out the work, interested parties are expected to submit price offers and a contract will be concluded with the highest bidder, with landowners being preferred to carry out the work if possible.

In order to ensure the favourable status of protected objects and species, it is also important to address the effects of alien species. Despite preventive measures to prevent new alien species from entering Estonia, we unfortunately have alien species that have become invasive or dangerous to both nature and humans.

Management plans are being drawn up for the control of alien species, and so far they have been drawn up for alien species of hogweeds and copper tops. An action plan for crayfish, which includes the management of alien crustaceans, and a management plan for alien slug species is also being prepared. Management plans are ordered and the activities prescribed in them are carried out by the Environmental Board.

State control takes place for alien species of hogweeds (Sosnowsky and giant hogweed) and control work is ordered by the Environmental Board through public procurement for one or more years.

Last modified: 27.12.2021