RMK opened a new building and permanent exhibition at the Viimsi Nature Centre 29.04
Today, on the first day of “Forest Week”, RMK opened their new permanent exhibition “There is Power in the Forest” in the renovated outbuilding of the Viimsi Nature Centre. Starting today, the free exhibition and the nature centre housed in a manor-era barnhouse - renovated with support from the European Regional Development Fund - will be open to visitors every day from 10.00-18.00.
The exhibition tells the story of the importance to the natural environment of the works and activities carried out in the forest, while also providing an introduction to the many benefits that the forest offers people. “The forest provides us with work and warmth, it is a source of inspiration, a gymnasium and a place of rest – visitors of all ages, both hardened city-dwellers and dedicated nature-lovers, will gain new knowledge from this exhibition,” said Aigar Kallas, Chairman of the Management Board of RMK.
“Using the help provided by the EU, Estonia has allocated more than EUR 20 million to improve the position of environmental education. This is a very large sum of money, but we have got a lot out of it – by today, all of Estonia is covered by a network of modern nature centres,” explained Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus-Rosimannus. RMK has 14 nature centres all over Estonia, with the newest having opened its doors today in Viimsi.
“People need tangible knowledge and resources in order to make decisions and act in a manner that is sustainable for nature and reasonable in the long term. Information ranging from what kind of flowers may be picked for the purpose of being displayed in a vase at home, to what to use for heating one’s house or whether the nature reserve planned in the neighbourhood is necessary or not,” added the Minister of the Environment.
The renovation of the outbuilding at RMK’s Viimsi Nature Centre, along with its interior and compilation of a new permanent exhibition, cost EUR 566,000 in total, provided by the European Regional Development Fund through the Environmental Investment Centre.
The exhibition is presented in Estonian, English and Russian. It is possible to view the exhibition either independently or with a guide; study programmes have been prepared for groups of children. For further information go to: loodusegakoos.ee/kuhuminna/puhkealad/tallinna-umbruse-puhkeala
During the period 2010–2014, 11 nature centres have been renewed with the help of the European Regional Development Fund, among them Viimsi, where the thoroughly renovated outbuilding also received a new interior. A competition, won by Annes Arro and Anna Karits, was held to find the design idea. The renovation plan was drawn-up in the Tartu Architectural Office, with works performed by OÜ Sulane. The exposition was put together by TenTwelve, in cooperation with the creative agency Pult, programming and electronic solutions were done by The Systems, exhibition objects and furniture were produced by the Red Hat Group. In addition to the above mentioned, there were many other helping hands, along with a large number of RMK employees, who contributed to the completion of the exhibition.
RMK is the keeper, protector and manager of the forest and other natural biotic communities belonging to the Republic of Estonia. RMK earns a profit for the state through forest management, growing reforestation material, and organising forest and nature protection works. In addition, RMK establishes opportunities for nature walking and shapes nature awareness. RMK includes the Sagadi Forest Centre, Elistvere Animal Park, Tartu Arboretum, 70% of Estonian-Finnish joint company Eesti Metsataim and, as of 2014, also the Põlula Fish Farm. More than 700 people work for RMK.
Further
information:
Marge Rammo
Head of
the Nature Preservation Department of RMK
Telephone
513 7035
E-mail: marge.rammo@rmk.ee
