Tallinn old-growth forest trail - an educational trail to introduce woodland key habitats in Estonia

Challenge

Mature forests in Estonia have declined rapidly in recent decades due to intensive logging. Woodland Key Habitats - the most diverse patches of forest, where the likelihood of finding threatened and rare species is high - are threatened as part of mature forests. The location of Woodland Key Habitats is not always known, especially in private forests, and private owners are not obliged to protect them. Public awareness of Woodland Key Habitats, which is necessary for better protection, is largely lacking.

Objective

The main goal of the project was to raise public awareness about the value of old-growth forests and Woodland Key Habitats. Our goal is that by 2029, 30 % of Tallinn’s population will have visited the educational trail built during the project, which is the first trail of its kind in the whole of Estonia.  

Approach

The project achieved to meet its goals by:

• Finding a suitable location for the trail in cooperation with Tallinn City Government;
• Finding a suitable solution for the trail - minimal physical intervention on the site, most of the information provided virtually;
• Building the trail;
• Promoting the trail, including arranging a public discussion;
• Making long-term arrangements for maintenance and further promotion of the trail.

Achieved Results

As a result of the project, residents and visitors of Tallinn, the largest city and main urban area in Estonia, are aware of the Woodland Key Habitats and their importance. By the end of 2024, the first educational trail about Woodland Key Habitats in Estonia will be built in Tallinn, raising awareness about forests and their importance. More than 500,000 people have been informed about the trail, old-growth forests and Woodland Key Habitats.