The weather favoured the participants as it was not too warm, too windy or too sunny, and so the piles of junipers from previous year could also be burned. As a result of this year's communal work, the areas restored in the last few years got connected, so the restored alvar expanded considerably and the participants had the idea of coming back at the beginning of the following summer to observe all the plants that could now be seen on the alvar cleared of junipers!

But what is this alvar that the volunteers are restoring? An alvar is a biodiverse semi-natural grassland that can only be found in western Estonia and on the eastern Swedish islands on thin, leptosol, calcareous soils. Historically, sheep and horses have grazed on the alvars, but when the grazing ceased, the alvars quickly became overgrown with junipers that threaten their biodiversity. Among other signs, the good condition of the alvars is indicated by the common catsfoot, common rock-rose, wild thyme, and mountain clover.

In order for the animals to be able to graze again, new space must be created on the alvar through thinning thickets of junipers. This is a labour-intensive task, and the help of volunteers participating in the communal work is very welcome.

See pictures of the volunteers on restauration work here.