Nature Conservation Month Focuses on Streams, Springs
The annual nature conservation month, this year focusing on rivers and springs, kicks off today in the park next to the St. Bridget’s Convent ruins in Tallinn.
Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus said that there is still too little awareness of the vulnerability of those types of water bodies and how any human activity near them will affect much larger areas.
Although rivers in Estonia are relatively short, the river system is very dense, with over 7,000 watercourses having a total length of 31,000 kilometers, ETV reported. The number of permanently functioning springs in Estonia stands around 500.
During the month, ending on June 5, the Environmental Board will hold a number of events and hikes across the country, aiming to educate the general public on preservation of water bodies. Environmental education days for grade school students will be carried out in all counties, said Maris Kivistik, head of the agency's Environmental Education Department.
At the opening ceremony today, Pentus will also present the Eerik Kumari nature conservation award.
The tradition of nature conservation months goes back to 1980.
Ingrid Teesalu