The aim of the project

• The main goal of the project is contributing to the successful implementation of the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with regard to protection of boreal forest habitat types.
• The more specific objectives are to find a common understanding on definitions of favourable conservation status (FCS) for different boreal forest habitat types
• To develop indicators for assessing the conservation status, to agree on relevant management methods and related stakeholder information/involvement strategies. The project will also contribute to the European discussion on the forest management strategy concerning boreal forest habitats through facilitating networking and experience exchange among Baltic and Nordic forest experts as well as dialogue between the European Commission and Baltic/Nordic countries.

Project activities

• A kick-off meeting, two expert meetings, one larger round-up meeting and several preparatory meetings.
• A publication summarizing project results  published and widely distributed among concerned stakeholders offering guidance for institutions and projects dealing with management and monitoring of boreal forest as well as help for authorities responsible for implementation of Natura 2000 and reporting to the European Commission.
• To give the project a practical approach a study visit for 15 Baltic forest experts to Finnish boreal forest sites were organised.

Partners
Baltic Environmental Forum Estonia (Project coordinator)

Baltic Environmental Forum Latvia

Baltic Environmental Forum Lithuania

Contacts

Zymantas Morkvenas
Coordinator of BEF Lithuania project activities
Tel. +370 5 255 9145
E-mail: zymantas.morkvenas[at]bef[dot]lt

Duration

10/2005 – 07/2006

Support

The project was financed by Phare Cross-Border Co-operation Programme in the Baltic Sea Region 2003, Nordic Council of Ministers, Estonian Environment Investment Centre.