On the occasion of the Semi-Natural Grasslands Day, those interested had the opportunity to take part in two different tours to a semi-natural grassland: in cooperation with the Tallinn Urban Environment and Public Works Department, we organised a plant tour and a military history tour to a coastal meadow in Paljassaare with the historian Jaak Juske and biologist Hanno Zingel. 

It is owing to the historical interruptions and the strategic importance of the area in military history that a rich and varied natural landscape, both in terms of birds and plants, has been preserved in Paljassaare. The restoration of coastal meadows in Paljassaare is also Tallinn’s longest running nature restoration project. Interestingly enough, the main ‘contractors’ are highland cattle.

‘It has been a pleasure to see that after just a few years of action, traditional species of semi-natural grasslands have begun to thrive again in Paljassaare, and several previously endangered plant species have returned to their native habitat,’ says Meelis Uustal, Head of the Department of Environmental Protection of Tallinn City Government. ‘After a break of 20 years, the common redshank is again nesting in the coastal meadow, and the tall thrift, which is only characteristic of the Harju County coastal plain, is flourishing in the dry grassland areas,’ he adds.

Good cooperation between landowners, restorers and managers of semi-natural grasslands and the state is key to ensuring that our species-rich meadows are preserved for future generations. After all, semi-natural grasslands are not only important for nature conservation, they also have a major socio-economic impact.

In order to promote cooperation between the state and landowners, we are launching the third competition for the Best Manager of Semi-Natural Grasslands on the Semi-Natural Grasslands Day (see adjacent news), with an aim to acknowledge those managers of semi-natural grasslands who, in addition to their exemplary maintenance and conservation of species-rich meadow habitats, promote grassland management and rural life more broadly and help strengthen the network of managers of semi-natural grasslands.

We would like to acknowledge all those who, through grassland management and a balanced use of nature, are making it possible for people to live in the countryside yet, raise livestock and farm, and thus maintain the vitality of our species-rich landscapes.

Happy Semi-Natural Grasslands Day to everyone!