The anniversary of the programme area is celebrated on 27 March with a biosphere day in Kärdla where the non-profit organisation Hiidlaste Koostöökogu (Hiiumaa Cooperation Network) shares inspiring examples of the project carried out in the island of Hiiumaa which serve the interests of the community and are closely connected with the biosphere programme.
On 27 March 1990, UNESCO MAB (Man and Biosphere) Programme Bureau issued a certificate which recognised the West Estonian archipelago as a part of the international network of the biosphere reserves.
“27 years ago we received an extraordinary recognition from UNESCO regarding the characteristic of the islands of West Estonia and we decided to start celebrating this with a biosphere day. Right before this year’s anniversary we received a pleasant message from the UNESCO headquarters in Paris – the International Advisory Committee for Biosphere Reserves approved the report of the last 10 years of the biosphere programme area of the islands of West Estonia and extended our certificate for the next 10 years. UNESCO praised our successful EuroMAB Conference which Estonia was honoured to organise in 2015 and good cooperation with the biosphere areas of the neighbouring countries,” rejoiced Lia Rosenberg, Specialist of Biosphere Area of the Environmental Board.
All the members of the network have to show once every 10 years that the biosphere areas comply with the required standards and are worthy of the UNESCO certificate. Upon a homogeneous and advanced development, UNESCO extends the biosphere certificate or quality mark which grant the area the possibility to differ from other regions based on their traditional lifestyle and special biodiversity. For example, protection of biodiversity is important and the area must be wide enough to implement three main functions: nature conservation, sustainable development and increase of knowledge. As a result of the activities, it must be ensured that the residents of the islands of West Estonia have the possibility to manage in a sensitive natural environment so that they are interested in living on the island and act there by saving the environment under the principles of sustainable development.
“NGO Hiidlaste Koostöökogu is the only communal association in Estonia that engages in the implementation of the activity plan in the programme area of the biosphere as of 2006. For example, several projects important to the community have been carried out by using the LEADER funding – Vaemla product development centre was founded and a project of “firewood” ship propagating traditional ship building skills was supported, as a result a two-masted sailing vessel with gaffsail suitable for sailing on the Baltic Sea will be built. This period focuses on local resources, including local food which directly supports sustainable use of nature, local tradition and, thus, creation of jobs,” said Reet Kokovkin, Chief Executive of the NGO Hiidlaste Koostöökogu.
During the biosphere day, one can hear reports and participate in a tour introducing the big projects of the NGO Hiidlaste Koostöökogu. A more detailed schedule and registration information can be found at the homepage of the Environmental Board.
The purpose of the biosphere programme area is to implement sustainable development of the rural area by stemming from the balanced relationships of the living environment. Educational, monitoring and research work are organised in the area and local life is developed in a manner that is environmentally and nature friendly.
Additional information:
Lia Rosenberg
Specialist of Biosphere Programme Area of the Environmental Board
E-mail: lia.rosenberg@keskkonnaamet.ee
Phone: 5207 457
