What are the achievements and highlights of the project during the last reporting period?

1. Restoration and Management of the Häädemeeste Wetland Complex(LIFE00NAT/EE/7082)Projct achievements - 2003

2. What are the achievements and highlights of the project during the last reporting period?

3. Management plan for the period 2003-2012 • Draft of new protection regulations for the reserve • Tourism mangement plan

4. Discoveries in the plant world: • Botanical, lichenological and bryological survey’s • New micro lichen species for Estonia, one re-discovery of moss species, several plant, lichen and moss rarities found • Botanical monitoring in coastal meadow

5. Discoveries in the bird’s world: • Breeding bird surveys finished for all habitats • Several BD annex I forest species are more widespread than predicted – relevant proposals for expansion of the reserve borders • Tolkuse bog bird survey • Continuation of monitoring of the coastal breeding and migratory species

6. The coastal meadow working camp • 120 volunteers • Estonian Ornithol. Soc. & Est. seminatural community conserv. NGO, local people • Massive amount of work has been done • Second day for birdwatching and introducing the life project • Good media coverage • Very positive reception by participants

7. Booklet on coastal meadow management history • Local history of use and management of coastal meadows • Knowledge and practices used • Memories and local names • Skills and things to learn for present • New LIFE of coastal meadows

8. Expansion of coastal meadow management • The area of managed coastal meadows reached the 500 ha • 6 new land managers joined, several new areas covered • 17 new livestock unit provided • 3 new livestock shed built • Fencing and grazing of shoreline started

9. Seminar on coastal meadow management • 35 experts, managers, landowners, researchers and conservationists • Informal and scientific presentations on coastal meadow biodiversity, management practical and financial issues, historical and cultural views • Study visits, demonstrations and discussions on most project sites, meetings with local meadow caretakers

10. Visit by EC DG ENV Life official • E.Borg-Tsantekidou visited the Life project office and project area • also attended the coastal meadow seminar and opened the new border sign of the reserve • Very positive feedback by Life officer

11. Development of the ecotourism at the reserve • Development plan for the Rannametsa nature trail • Training courses for nature guides • Beginning with construction works at Rannametsa nature trail • Four birdwatching towers started to build

12. Better habitats for a Natterjack-Toad • Special renovation of Sooküla quarry, as toad’s spawning site, has been completed • Successful breeding season at this site • Beginning of pond creation at coastal meadows

13. Land for conservation has been purchased 20 ha of coastal land with high conservation potential has been purchased by Estonian Ornithological Society