Lahemaa National Park hosted the 18th International Camp for Young Nature Conservationists

The Environmental Board organized from 7th to 13th July, Lahemaa National Park Junior Ranger Camp for young nature conservationists, which brought together young people from 9 countries.The aim of the camp was to increase the environmental and nature awareness of young people and to develop cooperation among young nature conservationists. At the annual camp, young people acquired knowledge, experience and practical skills on nature conservation and met their peers from other countries.This year's course at Võsu Männisalu Holiday Centre was attended by 40 young nature conservationists and instructors from 15 protected areas across Europe. A total of 9 young people from Spain, the Netherlands, Israel, Italy, Germany, Scotland, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Estonia were presented in the camp.“The Environmental Board had the honor and responsibility for the first time to host a young nature conservationist camp in Estonia. We offered our guests exciting camping days in our largest and oldest national park in Lahemaa. This year, the theme of the camp was "Parks connecting generations", which aimed to focus on intergenerational learning and exchange. Many topics were arisen from the cultural heritage of National Parks, which we have received as gifts from our ancestors, but our heritage will only survive if young people are willing and able to keep these traditions alive,” said Maris Kivistik, Head of the Environmental Education Department at the Environmental Board. On the opening day of the camp, guests attended the Estonian Jubilee Song Celebration at Tallinn Song Festival Grounds and on the final evening of the camp they learned to perform local folk dances and songs accompanied by folk musicians from Lahemaa. During the seven-day holiday they got acquainted with the forests, coast and bogs of Lahemaa. The pan-European coordinator of the Junior Ranger Programme for young nature conservationists is the Europarc Conservation Union, which includes protected areas from 40 countries. The courses have been held in Europe since 2002, and in older Estonian national parks since 2004. Courses will also begin soon at our Alutaguse National Park, which we established this year. The courses are organized by the Environmental Board, involving professionals and local communities.Further information for press:Maris KivistikHead of Environmental Education Department at the Environmental Boarde-mail: [email protected]: 5183 249Sille AderSpokesperson for the Environmental Boarde-mail: [email protected] telephone: 5745 0332Further organizational information:Kerli KõueEnvironmental education specialist of the Environmental Boarde-mail: [email protected] telephone: 5689 0442