Ülle Tamm takes care of the coastal meadows in the island of Manilaid and has made a significant contribution to the conservation of Habitat Category I Natterjack toad, being one of the first who started to manage the meadows with Scottish mountain cattle and sheep a few decades ago to preserve the few surviving Natterjack toads. Ülle extends her help to all the land managers in the island's heritage community, and her social media posts about the news of the countryside and animal farming, as well as picturesque pictures of the coastal meadow, animals and plants, reflect an attitude towards her animals and nature.

Viljar Ilves is a great example of a dedicated manager of the semi-natural grasslands who participates in the management process both as a practitioner and as a co-thinker and speaker. In his work is doing everything to ensure that the condition of the meadows as habitats of conservation value is as good as possible, that the areas are managed sustainably and that the living conditions of Scottish mountain cattle are paramount. As the largest manager of the semi-natural heritage in the region, he has been mowing and grazing about 442 ha of heritage meadows since 2016, to which 350 ha of areas under restoration are added. In addition to grazing, Viljar collaborates with scientists studying the natural values ​​of the protected area and has submitted several proposals for the scientific study of the areas. He has participated in both ornithological and botanical fieldwork and is very familiar with the habitats of his areas.

Ulvi and Tiit Uusoja are long-term dedicated managers of the semi-natural grasslands in Hiiumaa island. They started their activities in the 1990s and by now manage more than 100 hectares of coastal meadows. Over the years, they have grazed their land properly and kept the waterfront predominantly free from reed - just as needed for the birds of the meadows. 

For many years they have hosted nature protection camps organised by the Estonian Fund for Nature and they always kindly have shared their knowledge with others, considered to be a valued partners both for the community and for the authorities. Ulvi and Tiit are reliable, precise and helpful in their field work as well as with the communication with others. It’s not less important that all their paper work is done as brilliantly as their fieldwork.

Three laureates were chosen from 13 nominated managers of the semi-natural grasslands and any from the reminding 10 could bring home the prize next year.

The event itself, together with a lively discussion and great music, can be viewed: https://globalvirtualsolutions.eu/loodusrikaseesti.

The photo gallery of photographer Heikki Avendi can be viewed here.