Estonian Green Network

Estonian Green Network Map

Estonia must be credited as the first country to develop the ecological network concept and to elaborate the model into a comprehensive plan and implementation programme. Today, despite the disruptions caused by the revolutionary changes of the early 1990s, plans for implementing the network at county level throughout Estonia are now vitually complete.

The Estonian approach to ecological networks - the ‘network of ecologically compensating areas’ – has been noted in several studies as being among the pioneering national concepts in Europe. A new term  for ecological network – ‘the green network’ – has recently entered into use in Estonia. The concept of  ecological networks in Estonia is principally embedded in the spatial planning system. However, it is  implemented through other sectors such as nature conservation, forestry, water management and  others. At county level, the green network is one sub-theme of county thematic planning. By the end  of 2007 each of the 15 counties of Estonia had to have prepared a map of ecological networks on a scale of 1: 50 000.