18.06.2003 - RMK’s new information points provide information about nature seven days a week 29.09
This year the Estonian state forest management agency RMK will invest over 20 million kroons in nature maintenance, and in June RMK opened six information points across Estonia. During the summer months, the information points established at RMK nature houses will be open to visitors seven days a week.
The information points give practical advice about possibilities for recreation and hiking in the state forest, and they also provide useful information about local events and sights. The RMK information points are located in Aegviidu, Harju County; Mustjala, Saare County; Kiidjärv, Põlva County; Kauksi, Ida-Viru County; Sagadi, Lääne-Viru and Nõva, Lääne County.
According to Marge Rammo, head of RMK’s nature maintenance department, hiking in Estonia is becoming more and more popular. To provide better services to the large number of persons interested in nature, information points which are open every day have been established at nature houses of RMK. “I believe that the best news for holidaymakers is that the information points are open every day — even on Saturdays and Sundays,” explained Marge Rammo. During the summer months, RMK’s information points are open every day from 10.00 to 18.00, and in September the information points will remain open on weekends.
Estonians’ increasing interest in taking a holiday in the forest is confirmed by a study of environmental awareness conducted in spring this year by the TSN EMOR research company, the results of which reveal that almost one-half of residents of Estonia visit a forest at least once a month. At the same time, the respondents are worried about the future of forests — they are most concerned about sustainable management of forests, cleanness of drinking water and ground water and deposition of waste in places not intended for that purpose.
For those who would like to take a holiday in a state forest, RMK has prepared 201 different objects, including 7 forest houses, 12 forest cabins,33 campsites, 70 campfire and picnic places and nature tracks with a total length of 450 km. “We hope that those who come to a forest for a holiday are able to recognise the beauty of forest and show a sincere respect towards the forest,” said Marge Rammo, head of RMK’s nature maintenance department. According to Rammo, six RMK nature houses alone serve almost 14,000 visitors each year.
This year the RMK will invest 20 million kroons in activities related to nature maintenance, including 2.9 million kroons in promotion of awareness of nature, 4.4 million kroons in organisation of nature holidays, 5.5 million kroons in establishment and development of objects that are common national property, and 7.2 million kroons in maintenance of nature protection objects that are common national property.
The state forest management institution RMK is a profit-making state agency founded by the Forest Act, which has been assigned the main task of managing the state forests in a sustainable and effective manner. The RMK grows forest regeneration materials, organises forest work and deals with sale of forest and timber. In addition, RMK creates possibilities for exercise of common rights in its recreation areas and develops activities related to nature education.
In accordance with last year’s audited annual report, the RMK’s turnover was 931 million kroons and its profit 77 million kroons, and the forest income of 172 million kroons was transferred to the state budget.
Further information:
Marge Rammo
Head of RMK’s Nature Maintenance
Department
phone: +372 628 1530, +372 51 37 035
e-mail: marge.rammo
rmk.ee
