Visitor Management
The Estonian
forestry policy states that forest management shall be sustainable and efficient
ensure a balance between economic, ecological, and social stances.
Sustainability in the forestry policy refers to what is regular, continuous,
and diverse. The duty of RMK’s Visitor Management Department is to organise the
sustainable recreational use of the natural environment in state forests,
considering the tolerance limits of the natural environment and sparing
biodiversity. It goes without saying that this activity is effective only if it
promotes the users’ environmental awareness.
The Visitor Management Department carries the duty it has been charged with through three
directions of activity: creation of opportunities for the exercising of the
common right of access in RMK’s recreation areas and protected areas, planning
and creating hiking opportunities under collaborative agreements and
environmental education activity in the RMK nature centres and nature houses.
The Visitor Management Department has selected, planned and created over 13RMK recreation
areas across Estonia: at
Aegviidu-Kõrvemaa, Haanja-Karula, Räpina-Värska, Kiidjärve-Kooraste, on the
north shore of Lake Peipsi, in North Estonia, in the vicinity of Tallinn, at Tartu-Jõgeva, Sakala, Nõva, and in Pärnu, Hiiu
and Saare Counties. Since February 2009, RMK is
also involved in organising visits to Estonia’s five national parks and
in approximately 40 other protected areas.
To develop the
environmental awareness of people, RMK collaborates with partners that develop
a sustainable philosophy in the private sector and with local governments.
Information on hiking in the wilderness and education of natural environment are provided at information desks and visitor centres across Estonia. The latter offer exciting programs and practical activities for children, youth and adults.
