Representatives of the biosphere reserves of six countries in Hiiumaa are discussing, how to protect the Baltic Sea

The biosphere reserves near the Baltic Sea are working together to find solutions to protect, prevent and reduce pollution of the common Baltic Sea.On 19th and 20th September, a meeting of the international Biosphere for Baltic Tools (BfB TOOLS) project will take place in Kassari, Hiiumaa, bringing together representatives from Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Finland, Latvia and Estonia on the Baltic Sea biosphere. Within two days, they will exchange experiences on sustainable tourism and try to find good solutions to raise the awareness of the local population and tourists.“Estonian biosphere reserves in Western Estonia offer a variety of tourism products of a low environmental impact. For example, you can buy environmentally friendly products that are recognized by the "Hiiumaa Green Label" and have the distinctive characteristics of the island. However, local products and services would have more potential if consumer behavior was more environmentally conscious. This would boost the economy of the coastal areas of Western Estonia and at the same time would protect the Baltic Sea, ”said Lia Rosenberg, a biosphere program specialist at the Environmental Board.One of the challenges of the BfB TOOLS project is environmental issues in the Baltic Sea. The international project aims to raise people's awareness of how anybody may contribute to the preservation of the Baltic Sea, for example, by reducing the consumption of plastic products and sorting waste. In addition, the project explores sustainable tourism activities in biosphere reserves and makes proposals on how to make products greener.The project is funded by the Swedish Institute. “We are bringing together the people from the territory of the Baltic Sea biosphere reserve and discussing how to raise people's awareness of the challenges of the marine environment. We call on everyone to work together to address these challenges, ”said Johanna MacTaggart, coordinator of the Swedish National Biosphere Program.In addition to discussing and finding common solutions, visitors to Hiiumaa will be introduced to the tourism services offered at Orjaku Harbor, youth sailing lessons and sea awareness raising, and participation in Hiiumaa Food and Art Week events.Estonia is a member of the UNESCO network of the Western Estonian Islands Biosphere Program Area, which has been operating since 1990 with the aim of creating and implementing sustainable rural development. The programme is coordinated by the Estonian Environmental Board. As a result of these activities, the inhabitants of the Western Estonian islands must be able to manage in a sensitive natural environment so that they have an interest in staying on the islands and operating there in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.More information:Lia RosenbergEnvironmental Biosphere Program Specialist at the Environmental Boarde-mail: [email protected] telephone: 520 7457Sille AderSpokesperson for the Environmental Boarde-mail: [email protected] telephone: 5745 0332