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ESTONIAN ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY LIFE00NAT/EE/7082 Restoration and management of the Häädemeeste wetland complex INTERIM REPORT WITH INTERIM PAYMENT REQUEST NOVEMBER 2002 COMPILED BY: Marika Kose 1 THE DELIVERABLE PRODUCTS Product Leaflet for farmers and landowners Management plan Hydrological assessment of Maasika bog and S part of Tolkuse Bog Name or nr of reference action E 13 A1 A3 Deadline References April 2002 Completed See Annex 19. September 2002 Delayed due to the time consuming procedure, see the request for a modification and Annex 1 (1.-8.) December 2002 Completed See Annex 1. 3 THE PROJECT MILESTONES Milestone Steering committee Project management Land ownership and restitution survey Public meeting Meeting with local stakeholders Contracts and management agreements Preparatory actions for grazing are taken Bird watching towers Bird watching hide Livestock grazing infrastructure is in place Livestock grazing management of coastal meadow Guided visits are organised Livestock purchase Managing of coastal meadow by mowing Information and accommodation building Hydrologic assessment of peat-bog Name or n° of reference action A.2 F.2 A.6 A.4 E.4 A.5 D.1 E.16 Deadline September 2001 September 2001 October 2001 October 2001 March 2002 April 2002 April 2002 April 2002 E.17 C.6 May 2002 May 2002 Done, see Annex 2 (23) Done, Done, see Annex 5, 6 Done, see Annex 3 Done, see Annex 18 Done, see Annex 4 Done, see Annex 12 Partly done, see modifications and Annex 21 Delayed, see modifications Done, see Annex 9 D.2 May 2002 Done, see Annex 14 E.2 D.1 D.3 E.18 A3 May 2002 June 2002 July 2002 August 2002 October 2002 Done, see Annex 16 Done, see Annex 13 Done, see Annex 14 Delayed, see modifications. Done, see Annex 1. (3) References 2 Action A1. The management plan of the Rannametsa-Soometsa nature Reserve. Elaboration of the Rannametsa-Soometsa Nature Reserve Management Plan (MP) was started as the priority preparatory action of the project in October 2001. The task was contracted the specialists Uudo Timm and Piret Kiristaja from Information and Technology Centre of the Ministry of Environment. The preparatory task was to collect all the possible data about the reserve area, which in advance was known, was not much to be found. In January, 2002, the skeleton of the document was proposed, in which there were a lot of empty spaces, which indicated the need of fieldwork investigations and therefore already then it was obvious, that the completion date, proposed in project application, was unrealistic. The following process can be described with the contracted fieldwork reports, added as Annex 1. (1. Botanical research maps(On CD Annex 23). 2. Forestry research. 3. Hydrological assessment report. 4. Bird censuses, maps, report. 5. Sand patches investigation report. 6. Aerial survey, recording of photographic material on habitats. 7. Two public meeting photos. 8. The preliminary MP document.). One of the main focus in the survey’s has been censusing the breeding and migratory bird populations of the reserve. This is the first time, when thorough study of the ornithofauna of the reserve as whole has been done. During the period of the spring and autumn migration, the numbers and dynamics of staging waterbird populations has been regularily censused. This work has resulted with new data on numbers of staging waterbirds. Several of them got new maximal numbers and some species according their numbers additionally qualify the site as Important Bird Area at international level (eg. Smew Mergus albellus). The survey of the breeding bird communities revealed some surprises as well. It turned out, that the capercaille population in the reserve is far more numerous than expected. There has been counted at least 67 males displaying trees. In total, there are estimated 45-60 lekking males in the area, which makes it one of the top ten areas in the country. Big surprise was also census of the corncrakes. It has turned out, that fields, especially in the northern part of the reserve are very important for the corncracke but also fields adjacent to the reserve. Important process going parallely with the development of the management plan for the Ranametsa – Soometsa NR is selection of the canditate Special Protection Areas for implementing of the EU Bird Directive in Estonia. Estonian Ornithological Society is principal partner for the international consortium which is implementing the project for selecting of candidate SPA-s funded by Dutch MATRA fund. Therefore, the preparation of the adequate bird data, defining borders for a SPA and filling standart data form has been important tasks in current year as well. Concerning the optimizing of borders of the nature reserve and desiging of the cSPA there has been taken into concideration existing and new bird data on these processes. It has been revealed, that several rare bird species (under strictly protected, I natioal protection category), have breeding places adjacent to the NE part of the reserve (White-tailed Eagle, Lesser-spotted Eagle, Black Stork). It has been considered logic and practical to propose the enlargement of the reserve in account of these forest areas and include them into borders of cSPA as well. Due to large corncrake populations, it was decided to include fields, surrounding or between reserve as part of the future SPA and do not include them as part of the reserve. There has been first time compiled the species list for the reserve. It appears, that 249 species has been registered in this teritory, from which 166 species are actual or potential breeding birds and 12 of them are vagrants. According to the updated information, 70 Annex I species of the Bird Directive has been registered in the area, from whom 36 are breeding species. In total, 1010 working hours has been devoted for the ornithological fieldwork in the reserve in 2002. During Botanical research on coastal meadows the habitat types were distinguished, rare species mapped and Gladiolus imbricatus population study carried out. The draft of thorough innovative 3 monitoring scheme was produced; it is still in discussion phase and therefore not included as annex. To the beginning of November all the crucial fieldwork was done and preliminary or final reports handed over. Two public meetings were held to introduce the draft to local communities, all the stakeholder groups were informed and invited and asked for comments. The draft was set up to LIFE project WWW page(www.livonia.ee/life-haademeetste) and there is possibility to comment online, also by writing letters. Until December the MP is open for comments and proposals, and then the final document will be compiled and there will be two other meetings to demonstrate it to the stakeholders. After that it will be proposed to the Minister of Environment to sign. We hope that all will be ready at least for the May 2003 and the modification to prolong Action 1 has been asked for. The Project Steering Committee accepted the delay and modification proposal. Action A2. The formation of Project steering Committee. The Project Steering Committee (SC) was established and two meetings have been held. The SC consists of the partners and beneficiary and ministry representatives, also of specialists of the similar field. The List of Steering Committee members is included in Annex 2. Action A3. Hydrological assessment and blueprint for bog restoration. Hydrological assessment of Tolkuse bog was to ensure to what extent the ditches of various origins have drained the bog system and what is the most sensible way to restore the habitat. It must be mentioned, that no proper telmatological or hydrological research has been carried out in this bog system before. The area, which was planned to be covered in this survey, was the surroundings of Rannametsa River, particularly the Maasika Bog peat cutting fields and the major big ditch, called “Fish Ditch” in Tolkuse Bog Southern part. The work was carried out by Tallinn Pedagogical University, Institute of Ecology, Mire research Group (E.Lode, M.Ilomets). The Uppsala Agricultural University was represented by L.Lundin. During the first field visit it became obvious, that the Maasika Bog peat cutting fields and drainage surrounding, has affected seriously the living part of Maasika bog, especially draining the bog pool system. It also became obvious, that State Forestry Centre local Laiksaare forestry unit has planted Pinus sylvestris on the abandoned area illegally and deepened and enlarged the drainage. Therefore more effort was put to identify the situation on Maasika Bog. The 14 water level measurement stations were put into peat, (measured once in 2 weeks), the nivelling of the peat fields, surrounding ditches and pools water levels was done. The peat coring was done and pool sediments origin and quality registered. Water quality was analyzed and water flowing speed and amounts measured. The plant communities were described. In Tolkuse Bog the southern part was examined. It has been overgrowing by pines and some birches during last 50 years in high speed. The old open water pools have overgrown by quagmire and swamp and open raised bog habitat is degrading in the surround. The nature and influence of old overgrown ditches was examined and the “Fish Ditch” water quality, flow speed and flow amounts measured. The surrounding water movement scheme was detected and old overgrown big lake system was examined. In the result of the Maasika bog research it came out (see Annex 1. (3)) that the main effort and monitoring must be concentrated on restoring the existing pool system in bog, also stopping the degradation of the bog plant cover there, as sphagnum mosses are disappearing and peat is shrinking. The peat cutting area is rapidly overgrowing by birch, which is also killing the planted pines sooner or later in most parts. The raising of water table with planting cranberry and distributing Sphagnum fragments may help to get a bog-like wetland quite easily as the peat 4 layer left is of suitable quality. So blocking the main ditches is urgently needed and if management regulations change (see Modifications asked for Action C1, C2), the actions will be taken immediately. For Tolkuse Bog southern part it was even more difficult. The SE drainage system still works effectively, taking out water permanently. But during the fieldwork we discovered, that the euthrophic lake system (Tolkuse bog is known as centripetally oligotrophic bog, unique in Baltic’s and Europe) has been fed by numbers of springs, in some parts apart, creating even spring fen habitats with orchids. Still the estimations about the water amount, going out, and precipitation, coming in and the additional spring water lead to the thought, that the reason of lake and bog overgrowing can not be only the ditches, dug, but there may be other reasons. The suspect is that the spring water amount has gone down for some reasons like drainage of lands eastward or any other(?). Also there is a division of the water catchments in the middle of the bog, from area northwards the old pool system the water moves NW, from lake area, it moves SW towards the sea. So blocking the ditches flowing north may help to keep water inside the bog, but we do not know, how big role the springs play in pool formation or will the water start finding way towards NW through old ditches and natural water channels in peat. For the total budget of the action (1900 EUR) it was not possible to carry out more investigations about the water origin, movement patterns and also draw technical blueprints. According to the new details and seriousness of the problem the bog scientists team, Nature Reserve manager and the Project Steering Committee found, that it is reasonable to spend some more resources on water movement study on whole Tolkuse Bog complex to ensure the success of restoring the degrading parts of the bog to the favorable conservation status (see Modifications for Action C1, C2). Action A4. Public meeting. The first general public meeting was held on 30.november, 2001. The meting took place in Häädemeeste School, started at 17.00 and lasted four hours. The meeting was announced beforehand in all the local municipalities newspapers, in Regional newspaper “Pärnu Postimees” and the relevant advertisements were put up on local news boards. All the material about the meeting is presented in Annex 3. (1. Advertisement. 2. Newspaper articles. 3. PP presentation. 4. List of participants) 43 people attended the meeting which is enormous amount according to the earlier experience in holding such meetings. Represented were all the Project Partners, landowners, farmers, foresters, hunters, people interested in tourism development and local development. The first presentation was by Marika Kose about the European Commission funding and LIFE Nature Project “Restoration and management of the Häädemeeste wetland complex” in general. The second presentation was from people compiling the MP document about the Nature Reserve management legislation, future MP and the discussion followed. People asked a lot of questions about present management regime, Natura 2000, future regulations, possibilities with EC LIFE funding. A lot of needs and proposals for collaboration were called out. This was also the very day, when the first NR leaflet with map came out from print, so it was distributed and received with great interest and success.(leaflet see Annex 8) Action A5. Contracts and management agreements with land owners and farmers. The action was meant to ensure the coastal area land availability for grazing and mowing, whether done by landowners or someone who could rent the land. It was at the beginning meant to pay compensations from the LIFE funding to encourage people starting or continuing coastal area management. But as the Estonian Government environmental policy changed and state subsidies became available for coastal meadow habitat management, also one of the partners bankrupted (see modifications for Actions D1, D2, D3), Project Management decided to re5 arrange this part of the Project ideology and financial structure. Project Management found out all the landowners (see Action A6) and potentials, who had claimed for restitution. We contacted every of them in Häädemeeste community and with some in Tahkuranna community (this area was not the Project target area at first). Some landowners gave Project Management the right to use their land in nature conservation purposes and contracts were made with five of them. Examples see in Annex 4. The representatives of local St. Michaels Lutheran Church local Community were not eager to let their land to be used and gave only oral permissions. None of Project Managements letters or questions was answered in written form and when the actions were taken in advance (like cleaning area from litter and old vegetation remnants, also a general fence to divide coastal area from the village was built through the land), they started to object. So we had to turn to the Head of Estonian Lutheran Church Economy Department, who understood the purpose of the LIFE-Nature project and gave us the kind permission. The written agreement has not come to us by letter yet, but there have been no further problems in managing the land. Project Partner- Pärnu Environmental Department has been distributing the State subsidies and therefore making the land management contracts as part of their job. The Project Management helps the people to fill in and form the needed formulas and look over the results of management. Project Management also gives advice and encourages land users to improve poor management or helps to share the good examples with the others. Project management helps the land users to negotiate with landowners to create bigger land use units or just to start with proper management on lands not in active use. Action A6. Survey on land ownership and land restitution status. In October 2001 Project Management ordered Nature Reserve Maps with registered land units from State Land Cadastre. These maps were taken to the Häädemeeste and Tahkuranna Municipalities to comment and add all the information about the restitution applications and other interest groups on the area. The area, meant here, is most of all the coastal area, about 1000 ha. The example of the map is in Annex 5. The municipalities gave the list of land owners and applicants, with addresses and contacts. Project management contacted every local landowner and asked from neighbors about those who lived elsewhere. The general idea about their intentions was searched out and negotiations started about proper land use. During this process several articles in local Häädemeeste newspaper were issued to explain the necessity of proper land use and encouraging people to contact and talk about their ideas, needs or problems. We got a good response and people contacted and shared their opinions about how and with which animals and machinery the coastal meadow management would they like to carry out, with which landowners they would cooperate with and etc. It took a month to create the map and address database but it took far more time to understand the idea how things work out in local community on personal, village and other levels. By the end of this year (2002) most of the structures are on their place, still little adjustments will come next years, as (by no surprise!) the project and land use subsidies are getting more popular and more people would like to get animals or join in another ways. Action B1. Arrangement of land lease for conservation purposes. This action was meant to cover the possible expenses of land use in coastal meadow zone during the Project time. Anyway, to encourage the sustainable continuation of the coastal meadow and any kind of land management, the Project Management has tried to create self sustaining systems where possible. This issue is one of them. Project Management tried to negotiate the people, while using their own land or using the others´ land not to ask money for that, or if doing so, we tried to let the people themselves sort out how they make their contracts between themselves. As State is paying subsidies for land use anyway, people found the idea reasonable and agreed. So 6 except on Suurküla Common Pasture beside Häädemeeste village in every other case the land users and owners have their own contracts. Most of these worked out well only in one case the system did not work properly but it will be revised and a new contract made. At Suurküla Common Pasture there are several land owners who do not use the meadow but want it to be managed properly. They found it easier to delegate the Project management to find the proper managers, so we contracted them, but we did it so, that the Project will not pay the small rent, but that person, who gets the right to use the land. (See also Annex 4.) The rent is paid. There are other landowners in Tahkuranna community, which, when heard about Project, wanted their land also to be managed. They contacted only in late august and Project tractor mowed their land, proper contracts were made then as well. Action B2. Land purchase in coastal areas for conservation. There has not been such practice in Estonia for NGO-s to buy land. We started the management effort from Häädemeeste Community, as the obligation before Commission is to manage these areas most properly. As mentioned in Modification application for Actions D1, D2, D3, Project would like to cover larger areas than planned at first. So we would spread the actions northwards and try to find partners – land users from Tahkuranna Community as well. In both communities large areas of coastal meadow are without any proper ownership. The requests for restitution or privatization have stopped for a period by Pärnu Environmental Department; the land officers in communities are looking for possibilities to replace the territories or compensate them. Such land is legally the state or municipality land, but not properly measured or carried into Cadastre with proper designation, coordinates, areas etc. And there are still old ownerships in the air, so any other people finds hard to start using that kind of land. In January, 2002, there was a meeting in Häädemeeste Community, where took part Urmas Vahur (Reserve manager) from Pärnu Env. Dept, Helgi Vainula, Häädemeeste Community Land specialist, Urmas Aava, Major, AVO Grupp the land measuring company and Marika Kose, EOS, Life Project. The land restitution questions were discussed and the problems were justified. It came out, that in the interests of Ministry of environment and Reserve manager is to get the coastal area to the State and then make long term contracts rather than restitute or privatize the land. But to get land in State possession with designation to Nature Conservation, it has to be measured out properly. There is also a problem, that there are big land management units, which must be measured out and organized into Cadastre units’ altogether. This contains also a number of private owners, who are not willing to pay their share or just do not have the money. The order to get the “free land” must come from Pärnu Environmental Service but they have no such finances in the budget (nor the relevant line in budget). With all the stakeholders at present in the meeting, the cost of the procedure was estimated and it was about 30 000 EEK = less than 2000 EUR. There is possibility to wait and negotiate all he people to pay their share and wait until one year there will be possibilities from State budget to organize the land measurement procedure, but this might take another year or two and that has serious affect to coastal meadow management and Project results. So Project Management decided to cover those expenses and it will guarantee about 500 hectares of land to be measured and put into Land Cadastre for Nature Conservation. Every private landowner anyway cannot get his land rights until he has paid his share to the company and Cadastre. This enables the Reserve Manager to establish long term contracts with farmers, who ca build business plans and get loans or other infrastructures. This procedure is not like purchasing land for EOS, but it is acquiring control over a large amount of land guaranteeing its proper management. And when all the parties who have benefited from this, have paid their share to the Company, the Company will use that money to measure all the other land on Nature Reserve to be put into Land Cadastre for Nature Conservation. See also Modification for Action B2. Action C1. Blocking the drainage ditches for water level control in Tolkuse Bog. 7 For this action see request for modification. By the project timetable this action is not ought to be carried out yet, and there are several things, mentioned in the modification request, which may cause the delay and difference from original proposal. Action C2. Pilot bog restoration for former peat extraction field. This action is not ought to be started yet, the request for modification has been written for this action as well. Although some preliminary actions have been taken as: from Nigula Nature reserve different Oxycoccus palustris seeds have been ordered, also the necessary amount of shoots, both rooted and without roots, the field excursion with Nigula Nature Reserve Director to see their experience and details about plantations. In august the Maasika bog caught fire and more than 20 ha of bog surface, particularly the area, affected by drainage, burned. It included also about 3-5 ha of peat cutting field. The vegetation self-regeneration will be monitored there. Action C3. Restoration of open sand patches. This action is not ought to be started yet. The preliminary inventory of patches, still existing or lately overgrown, has been made. The forest management plan, compiled for the Reserve Management plan (see Annex 1), indicates some dune forest stands, which should be managed to create the age difference. Combining those factors, the proper sites will be detected and open sand habitat created. Also we consider as a creation of open sand habitat the Võiduküla sand quarry restoration by Project Partner Pärnu Environmental Service. The territory of the area is 6,1 ha. Action C4. Restoration of former Pikla fishpond as wetland With Pikla fishponds the LIFE Project took an ambitious task to restore and create a self sustaining system for an artificial wetland landscape. This is a new task in Nature Conservation in Estonia and the skills are lacking. By lucky chance the Project was proposed to participate in EUROSITE/Darwin Initiative joint workshop for “Management planning, Building capacity in wetland conservation”. We got a possibility to share our “fishpond problem” with experts far more experienced in this kind of topic. There is possibility to get more knowledge about similar activities in Europe during next years and write a separate MP for the fishpond system. There is a request for Commission to accept the modification of Action C4, to postpone the action to year 2004. Project Management has contacted also two landowners, interested in fishpond management. Both have different approaches, which partly cover the needs of Nature Conservation. Therefore a very careful engineering planning as well as economical survey is needed. Project Management is looking forward to organize an international workshop at the place to solve this landscape restoration and management problem. See pictures about area in Annex 7. Action C5. Restoration of water level management in coastal meadows. Although the action as to be carried out in 2003, as 2002 was to sort out which ditches or areas need some clearance, this year 2 ditches, 600 meters each, were cleaned from reed, mud and growing bushes and trees. For next year more ditches, overgrown by bush and reed, providing shelter for predators and spreading reed are planned to be cleaned. Action C6. Creating livestock grazing infrastructure. 8 As the Project partnership with AF Häädemeeste did not work out, the action will be carried out in different way. The State Subsidies, paid for the coastal meadow management, also include payment for fence-building or restoring. It is 10 EEK =0.64 EUR per meter. The amount, used, will cover the part of co-funding as much as needed. So most of the fences are built for this subsidy and farmers own money, only in most problematic areas the Project Management interferes, like beside the village, for Common pasture we bought extra sheep fence (1,5 km) to prevent animals getting into the village on people’s fields and gardens. Also an electric generator and small amount of other articles were bought. With LIFE funding we have supported building two animal sheds on coast, one for horses and another for sheep. Next year probably two smaller sheds will be supported. The pictures about the objects are in Annex 9. Action C7. Restoration of shallow ponds for Bufo calamita. To fulfill their share of co funding, Pärnu Environmental department financed the Recultivation of Võiduküla sand quarry to a Bufo calamita spawning pond system on 6,1 ha. The action costs about 12000 EUR, which is additional budget to Action C7 and qualified as external assistance. For the Project funding will be restored the spawning areas on coastal meadows. See Annex 10. In May 2002 Project Team took part in LIFE00NAT/EE/7083 workshop and during the workshop groups of specialists had two visits to our sites. During first visit the night call count took place to identify and map the places the species still breeds. The second visit was to Võiduküla sand quarry to re-introduce tadpoles from there to Kabli pools. During that visit occurred, that due to draught several thousand tadpoles had dried and died. The workshop people managed to “rescue” and reintroduce some 8000 tadpoles. Still more than 15 000 were left. It was obvious that they were to dry soon, but meaningless to take them away as well. So there was a discussion with specialists, that when draught continues, only adding water makes sense. Project Management went to Häädemeeste Fire Brigade to ask, if they could do the service and supply the water. The people kindly agreed and during next 5 week draught 25 times they brought water, 7 tons each time. First weeks water was brought each second day, later every day. This action, surprisingly, became very popular with people and especially media. Locals were astonished and confused at first, then the Natterjack became very popular and during whole summer people kept advertising where they had seen them. The local newspaper had story and pictures, radios took interviews and the TV program filmed. The daily newspaper also wrote an article. Associated Press contacted Project Management. All the materials about this action are in Annex 11. At the end of the action fire brigade manager decided to ask the Project to compensate only the petrol cost and some of water cost, they did not want any extra for offering service or renting cars and people. Hopefully about 5000-3000 small natterjack passed the metamorphosis and got safely into nature. The Recultivation of the quarry will provide better conditions for spawning in future. The place can be also used as a source to reintroduce the amphibian to coastal meadows, if needed in future. In Rannametsa coastal meadow one landowner has managed to dig a spawning pool this year, the other pools will be dug or restored this winter and next spring, depending on weather. The negotiations with landowners are ongoing. Action C8. Preparation of coastal meadows for grazing and mowing. This action was planned to target 50-150 ha of coastal meadow, but it was carried out by Project management or by landowners separately on more than 200 ha this spring. Two weekends with local people the big events were held, where people participated in collecting garbage, taking it 9 away by tractors, also burning reed and litter. Reed burning is dangerous activity, but having previous experience from 2000, and support from fire brigade, it can be controlled normally. Some of coastal areas were cleaned by bush cutters in august as well. As next years the storm will bring a lot of different material on coast as well, the cleaning activities will be done then too. And as we plan to start managing more areas in next years, on those areas the preparation works are needed as well. Pictures about the activities are in Annex 12. For burning and garbage collecting several events were advertised and organized, every time more than 30 people and schoolchildren participated. In these actions people were also informed about the Project and leaflets and other materials were distributed. Annex 12 also includes the participants list. Action D1. Livestock purchase for coastal meadow management. This action was to be carried out in first half of 2002, but probably will continue until 2003 for several reasons. When starting of the project was confirmed by the Commission and Project management in place, the first thing was to advertise the possibilities of coastal meadow management by Project animals and other support schemes in local and regional newspapers as well as by personal contacts and in public meetings. At first we had to find out, which kind of animals and how many people agree to take, or are there any volunteers at all. During November 2001-february 2002, most of interests were declared and Project Management with the potential farmers started to look after suitable animals. First were 14 Limousine breed cows, brought from a special breeding farm in Estonia. Ten were given to Project biggest collaborator OÜ Aminolte and 4 to a farmer, owning and renting over 40 ha coastal meadow. Next a Limousine bull Peeter was bought and also given to OÜ Aminolte. The similar activities in Western Estonia show, that local horse breed Estonian Horse is a very tough grazer and survives well. There were several people who wanted to have an animal, which grazed the meadow and was not much trouble, people also were fond of horses. So a delegation from Project region attended the annual meeting of Estonian Horse Breeders Society and we made contacts to buy such horses. Next trip was to Saaremaa and Muhu Islands, where these horses have remained. It is a local and endangered breed, only about 500 specimens left. With people we chose and contracted 7 horses for 5 households, which were delivered during March-May. For autumn the horses had become so extremely popular, that about 10 more people wanted to get one. We have to re-consider some of the budget topics to see, if we can have some more, as the budget line for animals is running out. Still, economizing with other activities, it can be possible, as the horses seem to be excellent grazers, especially on previous common pasture, where probably nowadays village people are not likely to take any other kind of animals. So if possible, maximum 7 horses will be added. There were people, who liked to start with Hereford cows, so we looked for Herefords for whole spring. We got first four cows in July and two more and a bull Aadu in August. Two farmers wanted to go on with sheep, which seemed to be extremely hard to get in winter or springtime. In July we managed to buy 30 for one farm and in September we got more 11 and 18 for another farm. All the farmers have contracts on those animals until the end of the project and with the rights to prolong the contract. For each type of animals the contracts differ slightly. The Annex 13 will provide the pictures of the animals and the example of a contract with translation. Action D2. Action D3. Grazing of livestock for coastal meadow management. Managing the coastal meadow by mowing. These actions were in Project Application divided as separate actions, as some of it supported by payment and some not. Also the main manager was to be the Project Partner AF Häädemeeste who is not a partner any more. For Actions D1 and D2, D3 see also modifications request. Today the situation is somewhat different than 2 years ago, when the application was written. 10 The land ownership is almost clear by now at the Nature Reserve territory (see also action B2). The intentions of about 60% of landowners are also identified and their land in use. The other 40% will be contracted 2003, as that area was not targeted by the Project at first. There are now several farmers, who would like to manage their own land or use the others´ as well. (There is a big part of LIFE Project effort in those decisions as well as the State subsidies support.) Most of them have or plan to have different kind of grazing animals. There are several landowners, who themselves mow their coastal land and several, who do not mow themselves, but buy the service. All those people get the State subsidies, which are considered the co-financing of Pärnu Environmental Department. In some places both mowing and grazing are used together. So it is hard to distinguish the management regime so strictly, as probably during some years the real longer lasting management scheme will sort out. Active farmers probably will divide the area between them, make contracts themselves and hopefully this will last all longer than LIFE Project. It is also important, that different landowners manage their patches with different schemes and intensities (still the spaces are big enough), as in previous centuries, which will support the rich biodiversity of the large coastal meadow area, created just this way. From botanical research it came out, that the more coastal areas, fenced specially and used for intensive grazing have saved the areas more inland for tall herbs and their communities, of which 5 are orchid species, then Gladiolus imbricatus population (best in all Estonia) and Angelica archangelica also on large areas. We now try to issue a booklet about old management history (see modification of Action E12) and nowadays ways, so that people can match their activities with old and new. In 2001 on Rannametsa- Soometsa NR 321,1 ha of coastal meadow was managed by grazing or/and mowing and 15 000 meters of fences built or reconstructed. 8 contracts were made with land users. In 2001 320 hectares were managed. In 2002 21 contracts were made, 422 hectares of coastal meadow was managed and 58 170 meters of fences built or reconstructed. Probably some 20 hectares were in use without contracts with Pärnu Environmental Service and subsidies payments. Durable goods, such as 2 tractors LTZ 60 were bought, 3 different mowing devices, hay colleting device, hay packing device and lifting devices were bought and given to selected persons to carry out work. Annex 14 will provide pictures about the activities and mashinery. Action E1. Media work and informing public about the Project. During the Project first activity year several articles in local community newspaper “Häädemeeste Elu” have been published, several shorter and longer articles in regional newspaper “Pärnu Postimees” and in big daily newspapers some press announcements and bigger events have been mentioned. All the articles are available on the Project WWW page. There have been several radio interviews about project activities and two TV interviews (26.10.01 Õie Arusoo, “Osoon” about coastal meadows management and bog nature trail improvement. In 2002 the grey herren´s colony and dune habitat protection issues as well as bird protection issues in the reserve.) and Participation in Children Nature camp has been filmed too. Also the Natterjack watering campaign was filmed. The photocopies of articles and other press event announcements are in Annex 15 (and some are added to other actvities). Action E2. Guided visits. During Project time several guided visits or events have been organized by Project Management or proposed from outside. The list and Materials about the visits are in Annex 16. In Project 11 application it was meant and finances asked for big events, advertised and organized and paid by Project, but it has come out, that the interested bodies have contacted themselves and found the resources to come. Only the BIRDWATCH event bus was paid from Project budget. In the following list we did not mention all the people, who have been lead by Project management people. Like journalists, while writing their articles or all children groups, visiting RannametsaTolkuse nature trail or scientists, who have wanted to do their fieldwork here and have asked for a tour or just birdwatchers, whom we have accompanied. The number would increase three times at least. Action E3. Children’s summer camp. A children’s summer camp is by Project Application planned for summer 2004. This is to be organized by Project Management and paid by Project. This Summer Project Management was asked to help in organizing two children’s Summer Camps. The first camp was “MIKSIKESE suvelaager” organized by Estonian internet based interactive learning environment MIKSIKE. The summer camp was 10 days long and LIFE Project management helped in one day 20.07.2002. Project Manager Marika Kose was leading a groupwork in sand dune habitat and bog, Monitoring Specialist Jaak Tammekänd was leading a working group on coast, to see the birds and coastal habitat. Children had to compile the www site afterwards. In Häädemeeste locality there is a farmer, who is specialized on children’s camps and interactive and charity camps, funded by several organizations. One of his this summer camp was called “Environment camp” where 12 local and other children in age 7-15 participated. This was to introduce the nature of Rannametsa-Soometsa NR, sustainable use of natural resources and traditional ways of living. LIFE project management was asked to help to suggest all the content and timetable of this camp, which we did. Although we spent only 2 days out of 7 with the children, we got a good idea about which activities were the most interesting and how things work better. On 14.08.2002 Project ornithologists took children out to coastal meadow and explained the Project work there. Also Nigula Nature reserve bird ringing station was active there, so bird catching with mist nets was introduced and was extremely popular. On 16.08.2002 the Project Manager as a botanist joined in and most common plant species around the farmhouse were introduced. Also everybody had to try do make a herbarium sheet of two plants. This action was filmed by ETV as a part of Environment camp activities and shown in TV later. Materials about camp are in Annex 17. Action E4. Meetings with local farmers, landowners and other interested persons. In Project Application it was thought about organizing special meetings to introduce project and results to the locals or any other interested bodies. It can be said, that several events, happening during Project time, have served this particular aim, although not headed in this way. Also many events described under E2 are of same quality. So the first meeting, introducing the Project, held in 31.October 2001, was a good start. After that we organized another meeting on 7.02.2002, where we introduced the LIFE Project and where Urmas Vahur, the Reserve Manager from Pärnu Environmental Service answered the questions about land restitution and other kind. Also the springtime activities like burning reed and cleaning coastal meadows (07.04 and 14.04.2002), when most of the villages´ people were out, all the Project things and Nature conservation things were discussed, can be regarded as meetings with stakeholders. The same can be said about the bird watching tower opening event and Green Days event (see E2). 02.03.2002 the Project management organized the visit of interested farmers to Estonian Horse Society annual meeting to become familiar with the breed and possibilities to introduce it to Häädemeeste region. 11 people participated and contracts were made to buy horses. On 10.04.2002 the State Forestry Center Recreation Specialist Marju Paas 12 and Pärnu Museum Scientific Director Tiit Kask were invited to Rannametsa – Tolkuse Nature trail and the surrounding objects to discuss tourism development issues. The tourism potential and threats of the region were analyzed. Afterwards the local tourism entrepreneurs and interested bodies were invited to the Project office to have a brainstorm about the problems and solutions. On 12.04.2002 the Laiksaare Forestry department head Heiki Ärm was invited to the Maasika bog peat extraction fields, where the foresters had planted pines during last four years. With facilitators (the MP compiling people) we tried to explain the LIFE Project aims and find the solution to the problems but the attitude of Mr. Ärm was far too negative to start even listening not speaking of understanding the Bog habitat restoration processes. There is still a conflict with the Forestry logging departments in Nature Reserve area, but with the help of the new kind of Forest Management Plan (Annex 1.2) we hope to overcome it in some way. 10.10.2002 in Rannametsa village there was a village people meeting where LIFE Project manager was asked to come and give a short introduction to the Project. In 31.10. and 1.11. 2002 there were two public meetings about the Rannametsa-Soometsa NR MP. (See action A1). There were also in first meeting the foresters and in the second meeting foresters and hunters represented. In 20.08.2002 the first day of waterfowl hunt was observed in Pulgoja coastal meadow. Two Project workers were there accompanied by at least 40 hunters. Project workers explained the existing protection regulations of the reserve and informed the hunters of the zonation of the coastal meadow. The hunt is allowed only on a very strict area and all the other areas can be used only by the permission of the Reserve Manager, which the hunters did not have. There were other problems although half of the people understood that everything is not proper with the organising of the activity. On the next morning the kill was looked over and there were several birds of Bird Directive shot. There was more other breaking the rules. The issue was raised by Project in GreenGate, the www. Newsletter. It must be said, that if people do have questions or need more information, they do not hesitate to come or call to the Project office and ask or discuss their problems or ideas. There has been no week when people do not contact for information. It is difficult to line all the personal contacts up in the report but most of them are recorded in office. Also during the Project Management visits to the spots and fieldwork people are met or asked and usually long discussions are held about the area management. It is not less important that the Project Manager Marika Kose used to work as a teacher in local Secondary School and that has been a great benefit to the Project as people are familiar to the person and trust the ideas and actions also are freer to make contacts. Also the Project author Mati Kose comes from Häädemeeste and being a part of local community, the activities are more easily accepted and people feel free to contact in informal way. Materials are in Annex 18. Action E9. Creation of photographic database of Project. For implementing this action, a digital camera Canon Powershot was purchased and also a photo equipment. Since the start of the Project most of the events have been photographed. To create the really working internet database the negotiations are held with a relevant company and in 2003 the works will start. Until now the pictures are stored in digital way in Project office or as slides in the same place. Many of the photos are used in this report, on Project www (www.livonia.ee/life-haademeeste) page and in various posters and presentations and newspaper articles. Action E11. Project WEB-page. See www.livonia.ee/life-haademeeste Action E12. Visitors map and information leaflet for Rannametsa- Soometsa Nature Reserve. Although the leaflet was planned to issue only in 2003, in 2001 Pärnu Environmental Service took initiative to create one for the reserve. The financing was provided by Pärnu Environmental 13 Service, the LIFE Project management contributed with writing the leaflet text and provided photographs as well. The 4000 leaflets were printed in Estonian language on environmentally friendly recycled paper. Leaflet is in Annex 8. It is planned to do another leaflet, not in 2003, but later, when new Management Regulations are agreed and new borders and reserve name (?) settled. We have asked a modification for this Action E12. as well. Action E13. Leaflet for farmers/landowners Estonian ornithological Society has provided the general guiding leaflet for landowners and landusers how to carry out sustainable agriculture in floodplains and meadows, especially coastal meadows. To create such a colourful and big leaflet (rather booklet), EOS used other sources than LIFE Nature as well, like RSPB and others. This leaflet was distributed in all Estonia, on Nature Reserves, libraries, environmental services, schools and etc. There can each year be added different information about subsidies, normative or other relevant information. In Häädemeeste region, the leaflet is very popular within landusers, also the numerous groups from schools find it useful. Leaflet is in Annex 19. Action E 14. Development of facilities for sustainable tourism regulation. The Rannametsa-Tolkuse Nature Trail has gained more and more popularity during the last years, since the LIFE Project application was written. From previous PR activities it can also be seen, that it is the most popular place to take the Project guests. This also has a great impact on the surrounding nature, like creating more and more soil erosion on dunes and also on drier parts of bog surface, where people tend to step. Therefore the need of improvement the trail is most obvious. There has been a year of negotiations with State Forestry Centre Recreation department about the trail and its management in future. Only in October 2002 we managed to sign a contract with all sides are happy with. Now we have started to develop a detailed project of all the constructions of the trail, which will be financed by State Forestry department. We hope it finished for May 2003. The building work will start in July 2003. State Forestry Department so far has invested into the maintenance of the trail and also created information boards with texts. See one example in Annex 20. Action E16. Bird watching towers. In Project application three bird watching towers were planned to be constructed on coastal zone of reserve. By now things have changed, and probably more will be erected for several reasons. The Pärnu Environmental Service has provided as co financing for two more towers. The map with the locations is in Annex 21. The first tower was erected at Häädemeeste –Pulgoja coastal meadow, 9,5 metres high. This was partly supported by Pärnu Env.Serv., partly by LIFE Nature Project. (Pictures about towers and opening advertisement are in Annex 21) The object has become extremely popular among locals to have a nice view to sea and coastal meadow and among birdwatchers, as the birdlife is magnificent around and the tower is good and stable. The second is a bird watching platform in the mouth of Häädemeeste River. 4 meters high, it has a good view over surrounding shallow bays and mudflats, helping to count waders and geese in spring. It was opened for Birdwatch Day. The third tower was not planned at the beginning by the Project Management because the lack of resources. But local farmer and children camp organiser Lembit Künnapas had applied for money from Pärnu Environmental service and got it for building a Bird watching tower into his territory, which is also a very good area for waders, especially geese and swans. So the tower 14 became ready in November 2002 and is also a part of co-financing by Pärnu environmental Service. The Project Management has planned two other towers as well, but there was a problem with the land ownership on the proposed good sites. In August 2002, when the problem somewhat solved (see actions A6, B2) project got permission to build the towers on future State land. So only then the Platform was built and another Tower will be on Suurküla locality. This tower is waiting for proper logs, possible to get in wintertime. Will be erected by May 2003. We also planned to build a bird watching tower to Pikla Cape, which can be called a “Bird Paradise” but the most suitable place is owned by Swedish residents. Project Management has contacted their representative in Pärnu and the response was not very willing. We now wait those people to come to Estonia in Spring 2003, then it will be clear, if the Project can rent the land or plan the Tower to a place, not owned by private, but closer to sea and therefore more vulnerable to water and ice. The modification has been asked from Commission about the Delay. Action E17. Bird watching hide. The compact wooden hide, transportable on uneven coastal meadow for bird watching was planned in Project application. During the management works it came out how difficult it is to move on the meadow with tractors and other machinery, so there was very little idea about the shape or size of the hide. As there was no good idea, the hide was not built in the time, proposed in the Project Application. During the Project Estonian local horses were introduced to coastal meadows. As they all are trained to ride and work, we came to an idea to use the horses to drag the hide on meadow. The birds are not afraid of horses and the well shaped hide will be good to observe the birds more closely. So we have asked the Commission for prolongation to complete the hide for may 2003. Action E18. Information and accommodation building. To Häädemeeste - Pulgoja coastal meadow there was planned to replace the old hunting facilities with one info- and accommodation building to provide for birdwatchers and visitors, using also the bird watching tower. Although Project Management made great effort with State Forestry Centre, to find out the old facilities ownership and land use mechanisms, it only lately came out, that the Forestry Hunting Department is renting the land under the buildings, although they do not own these buildings. So there is no possibility to renovate there until the land ownership changes (see actions A6, B2). Hopefully this will happen in early 2003, so that the existing contract will not be valid any more. Then Pärnu Environmental service as new land manager will contract EOS about the site and then only the new building can be built. There is a great need for such building as this year showed. The old buildings were used by OÜ Aminolte shepherd, looking for cows and she told that every day 4-10 cars and buses visited the bird watching tower or came to see the coastal meadow on the newspaper articles. There are animals also, and visitors tend not to close the fence gates properly and leave garbage and ask information and so on. Action E19. Signs and information boards of the Project. This year not much signs have been put up. In Annex 22 the signs and stickers, which were used, are presented. All the fences, sheds and bird watching towers were labelled with signs, project machinery and office equipment was labelled with special stickers. Action F1. Project Steering Committee. Two Project Steering Committee meetings have been held in Häädemeeste. The list of members is in Annex 2. 15 Action F2. Project daily management. Setting an office. In october 2001 Häädemeeste Community found rooms for Project office and started to do some repairworks. For november 2001 the room was ready and equipment like computers and telephone were settled. Häädemeeste community provided also one table, three chairs and free telephone and internet connections. The office was announced to the public by local newspaper and in public meetings and personal contacts. The maps and literature about the area and Natura 2000 and EOS publications were collected and exsposed. The office became popular among locals, so every week several people visited (and are still visiting) for curiosity, advice or collaboration. The official public opening of the office was in 04. February 2002, it was announced in Pärnu Postimees and a lot of invitations were sent around. The opening event is described in next day´s Pärnu Postimees. See Annex 15, 24. Since that we have developed the computer park with a laptop and a lot of software for processing and providing maps, digital photographs, scanned views and others. We have bought scanner, two printers (laserjet and colour inkjet) two other smaller tables for office equipment, 5 more chairs to hold several smaller meetings and shelves for materials. The address of the office is: EOÜ Häädemeeste LIFE Projekt Pärnu mnt. 40, II korrus 86001, Häädemeeste, Pärnumaa, ESTONIA Telephone in the office is +372 44 65 228 Häädemeeste community fax can be used: +372 44 65 245 The e-post is: [email protected] or [email protected] Hiring people. In Project daily management there is one full time Project Coordinator: Mrs. Marika Kose. She started in September 2001. She has contract with EOS about tasks and responsibilities. Major responsibilities are relations with stakeholders, landowners, authorities, coastal meadow management organising, tourism management coordination, bog restoration organisisng, botanical fieldwork organising. Also organising construction of sheds, fences, bird watching towers, organising Rannametsa-Tolkuse trail reconstruction, public events, reporting to Commission and EOS council and board. Also responsibility for carrying out actions in time and organising other´s work. As scientific researcerand conservation manager Mr. Mati Kose joined in the Project in July 2002. His responsibilities are Management Plan coordination, photographing, data collecting and processing and ornithological and nature conservation work coordination. Also public awareness events with media and representing Life Project and EOS in various conservational and political events. In June 2002 Mr. Jaak Tammekänd as monitoring specialist was hired to carry out all different ornithological fieldwork, needed for elaborating management plan and getting data about bird species, occurring in NR and surrounding IBA and Natura 2000 candidate area. In wintertime his task will be the data processing and digitalizing with MapInfo. His task is also to register the land use characteristics, bog water levels in dipwells and any other data, needed in field. Project needs a lot of technical assistance, provided by Mrs. Kaie Mark first months of the Project and Ms. Krista Varusk last 11 months. The tasks are to ensure the payment of bills, register and sort them, to cmmunicate tax authorities and other office work of the kind. From jauary 2002 the IT specialist Mr. Indrek Luik is responsible for setting up the materials to Project www site. 16 In summertime Project provided one shepherd job for Urve Tamm for 4 months to look after the cows on coastal meadow and kep eye on the people coming and how they behave with animals and bird-watching tower. As part-time job the reed cutting with bush-cutter was offered for local schoolboys over 16 years old. This was to clear the very edge of water from reed and also to clean roadsides and old fences and other places, dangerous for, people, animals or mowing mashines. Several people were hired as scientists for certain tasks in short time periods like bog restoration specialists, plant ecologists and others. The part of the Project daily management has been participating in workshops and seminars, organised by Estonian and European institutions. In many such events Project management has participated with presentation, oral or poster. The presentations are available as files in Annex 23 (the CD). Here is the list of events, Project management has participated. Date Place Event/Organisation presentation 25,10,2001 Matsalu NR, Estonia WS “Implementing Arhus no Convention” Estonian Fund For Nature 06,11,2001 , Paikuse Estonia WS “Pärnu Ikla Recreation area no management plan discussion” State Forestry Centre 03,02,2002 Pärnu, Estonia Bird Club “Buteo” meeting yes 02.03.2002 Matsalu, Estonia Estonian Native Horse Protection yes Society” meeting. 19-24. Szarnocin, Poland “Stakeholder involvement in Nature no 03,2002 Management Planning” EUROSITE, EUCC 8-12,05,2002 Matsalu, Estonia “Coastal meadow management for yes Bufo calamita. Reintroduction of B.calamita” LIFE00NAT/EE/7083 28Jurmala, Latvia BEF Conference in Management yes 31.05.2002 Planning. 12Wicken Fen, UK EUROSITE/Darwin Initiative joint yes 16.06.2002 WS “Building capacity in wetland conservation” 26.08,2002 Tallinn, Estonia Seminar for LIFE –Nature Applicants yes Ministry of environment, Ecosystems 28Saaremaa, Estonia “Management of meadows, Nordic Presentation, 30.08.2002 and Baltic solutions” WWW, Min. of poster Envir, etc 13Somerseth, UK EUROSITE/Darwin Initiative joint yes 17.10.2002 WS “Building capacity in wetland conservation” 07Haapsalu, Estonia “Summary Conference of Väinamere yes 09,11,2002 Project” Research centre Arhipelaag 29.11.2002 Matsalu, Estonia WS about bird monitoring and yes management planning. Min. of Environment, Matsalu NR, others 6-10.11.2002 Moravske Toplice, EUROSITE/Naturelink joint WS yes Slovenia “How to write a LIFE application” 17