Hmmm,
it would seem that I have written quite a bit… I won’t be offended if you just
look at the pictures! I have split this period into the following sections: Introduction
and background, the people and food, the work and the free time.
The
Eestimaa Looduse Fond (EVS) or Estonian Fund for Nature is a not-for-profit
organisation based in Tartu that was founded in 1991 with the aim of preserving
Estonia’s nature: seas, forests and wetlands.
During
the period of restoration of independence in the 1990’s, EVS played a critical
role in ensuring a significant proportion of state owned land was set aside for
conservation.
EVS
cooperates with many organisations and individuals to help meet its aim.
Although one may not initially think it, Estonia is home to many landscapes,
landuses and biota that are no-longer seen elsewhere in Europe. I would think
this could be attributed to the country’s history of occupation, stifling
certain deleterious landuse practices seen elsewhere in Europe, and the
Estonian peoples innate love for and respect of nature.
I
happened upon EVS while exploring the different types of volunteer work available
in Estonia. EVS run conservation holidays throughout the year. These
conservation holidays occur in every corner of the country and enable
participants to visit locations that are not necessarily accessible to the
general public. This was highly attractive to me as, without a car, it can be
quite difficult/time consuming to reach such places. With the help of Triin,
who works for EVS, I was able to join a conservation holiday organised
specifically for international participants. This 10-night holiday was run in
two locations: Pivarootsi and Vormsi saar. Both locations are in the west of
Estonia. Pivarootsi is a farming hamlet while Vormsi saar is one of the smaller
islands located off Estonia’s coast. The cost of participation was €100, which
included all expenses. I was able to get a lift on the EVS van from and to
Tartu.
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