09.01.2009 - Almost 5200 Christmas trees were bought from RMK at the end of the year 09.01
At the end of last year, RMK sold almost 5200 Christmas trees to
private people and companies. The number of spruces collected
independently from the forest was slightly more than 3100; during the
joint spruce trips, 1485 spruces were bought; 543 were sold to
companies and institutions.
At the end of last year, RMK sold almost 5200 Christmas trees to
private people and companies. The number of spruces collected
independently from the forest was slightly more than 3100; during the
joint spruce trips, 1485 spruces were bought; 543 were sold to
companies and institutions. The joint spruce trips, along with a nature education programme at the forest centres of RMK, turned out to be very popular – a total of 2656 people across Estonia brought their Christmas trees in this way. The largest number of people attended the spruce trips at the nature centres and offices of RMK in Harju, Põlva, Saare and Lääne Counties. “Families with children participated the most, having a great opportunity to find a Christmas tree from the forest together and having a nice Christmas experience with the whole family,” said Marge Rammo, Head of the Nature Preservation Department of RMK. She added that this year, RMK plans to organise similar Christmas events again.
Private persons transferred money to RMK for 3138 Christmas trees; the opportunity to bring a Christmas tree on one’s own was used the most in Harju and Pärnu Counties. “A lot of people called RMK and asked how to use the forest register, how to find a state forest and where a tree can be cut down, but generally, people were very grateful for the opportunity to bring their own spruce from the forest,” Toomas Väät, the Silviculture Head Specialist of RMK explained the interest of people.
“On the basis of the information received from forest centres, it can be said that people have acted consciously in the forest and there have been no major violations; only a few spruces have been cut down from underwood, which was not allowed,” Toomas Väät added. Four major illegal Christmas tree cuttings were registered. All of the approximately 250 illegally cut trees were found and in three cases, the thieves were also caught.
RMK earned about EEK 730 000 from the sale of Christmas trees to private persons and companies. RMK plans to use this money for raising nature and forest awareness. “Among other things, this spring, we wish to publish a forest A-B-C book for kindergartens together with a practical workbook; with the money earned, we can increase the circulation of the books and workbooks and produce this study material for the Russian-speaking kindergarten classes as well,” Marge Rammo explained.
RMK is a profit-making state agency established under the Forestry Act, aimed at sustainable and efficient management of the state forest. In addition to this, RMK creates possibilities for forest holidays and shapes nature awareness. RMK manages 38% of Estonia’s forests.
Additional information:
Toomas Väät
Silviculture Head Specialist of RMK
Telephone: +372 676 7520, +372 520 5734
E-mail: toomas.vaat@rmk.ee
Marge Rammo
Head of the Nature Preservation Department of RMK
Telephone: +372 676 7530, +372 513 7035
E-mail: marge.rammo@rmk.ee
www.rmk.ee/en
