🌱Last week, the #KnowNature project successfully concluded a three-day study trip to Estonia, where experts and participants from Latvia, Estonia, and Sweden, including representatives from the Latvian Nature Tourism Association, had the opportunity to join and exchange valuable insights on sustainable tourism practices. The trip began with a visit to the Kabli birdwatching area and the Tolkuse bog, where participants discussed recreational carrying capacity and observed local infrastructure built to handle up to 40,000 visitors. The day was capped off with a visit to beautiful Vihula Manor.
🚴 On the second day, the group explored innovative approaches to managing human impact on natural areas. Highlights included participating in a bog-shoe trampling experiment at Kullisoo bog and a bicycle experiment in a forest setting, which allowed participants to understand the effects of different recreational activities on the environment. In addition, the group visited Sagadi Manor and its Forest Museum, where they attended lectures on water safety, sustainable tourism, and the management of visitor infrastructures.
🚢 The final day focused on exploring the coastal regions, the participants visited Lahemaa National Park and the historic port of Hara, which was once a secret Soviet submarine base. The port now serves as a visitor center and ship pier, allowing visitors to learn about the base’s fascinating history and explore the ruins of its buildings. Thanks to Dabas aizsardzības pārvalde for organizing this trip and inviting us!
#KnowNature Project „Improving baseline knowledge among tourism stakeholders in Protected Nature Areas for more sustainable tourism in Nordic – Baltic region” is implemented with the support of the EU ERASMUS+ program.