October 1st-2nd - Birdwatch 2011

During the first weekend of October traditional birdwatching days Birdwatch 2011 takes place. Thousands of people from all over Europe watch birds. Estonian Ornithological Society invites all to participate in this event also in Estonia.

Further information on the web www.eoy.ee.

September 15th-18th foreign journalists in Matsalu National Park

With the help of the project "Parks and Benefits" 5 European journalist and 1 tour operator were invited to a FAM tour in order to introduce Matsalu National Park, Matsalu Nature Film Festival and all of Lääne county to a wider audience.

The journalists were from the magazines "World Voyager Magazine", "Time Out Moscow", "Ikkunapaikka-Window Seat Travel Trade Magazine", "Ryanair Magazine" and the touroperator from the Netherlands "SNP Natuurreisen".

The tour involved crane and other birdwatching all over Lääne county, visiting Karuse railway station, Matsalu Nature Centre, Haapsalu sightseeing, getting to know Swedes area culture and Matsalu Nature Film Festival.

Tour was organized by Estonian Nature Tours.

September 14th-18th - Matsalu Nature Film Festival

This year's festival offers 206 films and several workshops.

For futher information about the programme www.matsalufilm.ee

August 27th - Ancient Lights Night

Ancient lights will be lightened all over Estonia including in the coastal villages around Matsalu bay. At Keemu harbour bonfire also hay sculptures will be lightened, concert will follow at the bandstand.

See further information www.muinastuled.ee/en

July 31th- Hay sculpture sheafing in Matsalu village

For futher information www.matsalukyla.ee

Concert "Estonian forest story- manor time" in Matsalu manor on July 1st

Concert is held in Matsalu manor on July 1st 2011, at 7 PM and is about manor time in Estonian forestry history. Musical input is from ensemble Rondellus and story telling about the meaning of forest is done by Ott Sandrak.

Registration is needed! See link rmk.ee/loodusegakoos/uritus#245

Müritz National Park visited Matsalu National Park

On June 7th 2011, Martin Kaiser from Germany, Müritz National Park, visited Matsalu National Park. It was a meeting in the frame of the project "Parks and Benefits", where Mr.Kaiser makes an overview about the project impacts and how project partners develop their parks sustainably and aslo about social and economical impacts on developing national parks. Project manager Nele Sõber and Hiiu-Lääne-Saare region director Kaja Lotman contributed with relevant information about Matsalu National Park into this overview report.

EXHIBITION: “Living Parks: 100 Years of National Parks in Europe”

Exhibition is compiled by EUROPARC Federation - Europe's protected areas network, who has over 400 members in 36 countries.

Exhibition introduces Europe's first national parks and their natural values and also project “Parks & Benefits - Generating socio-economic effects by a sustainable management of protected areas for the benefit of their regions" partner protected areas.

Exhibition is open from April 21st until May 25th in Penijõe manor (coffee hall).