One of Vormsi Parish’s Priorities for 2022–2030: Preserving Natural and Cultural Heritage
One of the key priorities for Vormsi Parish from 2022 to 2030 is the preservation of the island’s natural and cultural heritage, along with its unique character. This is based on a high level of environmental awareness and the sustainable development of the cultural space.
Accordingly, the first goal of the development plan is to ensure that the characteristic and cohesive natural environment of Vormsi Island is well preserved.
Protecting Vormsi’s natural environment is not just one of many goals—it is a guiding principle throughout all development activities and decision-making. Both when setting objectives and implementing plans, the guiding principle is to minimize negative environmental impacts.
For a small community, any deterioration in environmental conditions can have severe consequences, affecting not just the quality of life, but also the preservation of cultural heritage and the sustainability of vital local livelihoods. Every individual, business, and organization has a role in raising environmental awareness, practicing a sustainable lifestyle, and responsibly managing natural resources. The local government can set an example through its own actions.
Vormsi Landscape Protection Area
The Vormsi Landscape Protection Area was established in 2000. The protected area covers 19.75 km², of which about 13 km² is shallow coastal sea. The purpose of the protection area is to safeguard the unique and sensitive natural landscapes of the West Estonian archipelago, endangered traditional cultural landscapes, as well as protected and threatened bird and plant species. The area is managed by the Environmental Board. (Protection Regulations)
Nature conservation in Vormsi has a long history—dating back over two centuries. As early as 1766, the local manor owner prohibited lime burning on the island in order to preserve the forests.
Internationally Important Bird Areas
Two internationally important bird areas are located on the Vormsi coast: the bays of Hullo and Sviby, and Hari Strait. The coastal meadows and surrounding marine areas and islets near Sviby and Hullo have also been designated as a research site by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in the UK (RSPB area: Hullo and Sviby Bays).
The diverse coastal meadows, juniper groves, and forest habitats of Vormsi’s shoreline fall within the Väinameri Natura 2000 protected area.
Vormsi as Part of the West Estonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserve
Vormsi is part of the West Estonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserve, located in the eastern Baltic Sea. The reserve includes Estonia’s largest islands – Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, and Muhu – as well as smaller inhabited islands such as Vormsi, Ruhnu, Abruka, Vilsandi, Kessu, and Kõinastu, and the surrounding marine areas of the Baltic Sea, Väinameri, and Gulf of Riga.
Biosphere reserves are selected based on both their biogeographical representativeness and their conservation value. These areas serve as pilot regions for developing sustainable use of natural resources and are both inhabited and economically utilized. The West Estonian islands meet these criteria.
More information can be found on the biosphere reserve’s website: https://www.mabestonia.ee/et
About Semi-Natural Meadows and Their Maintenance
In 2022, the Environmental Board launched an advisory service for owners of semi-natural meadows, aimed at increasing landowners’ awareness of the value of these meadows, as well as management options and available subsidies.
Information on managing meadows on your own land is available HERE.
A newsletter is also available HERE.
News (06.04.2023): On semi-natural meadows and their preservation
