www.eestimetsameister.ee
impact
about
(open root, 25 - 45cm)
In Järva County, within the municipality of Paide City, lies a new carbon park sponsored by Eesti Metsameister. This 1.4-hectare area is part of a sustainable forestry initiative aimed at enhancing biodiversity and combating climate change.
The project began in April 2024 with the planting of 10 000 spruce and birch saplings, each 25 to 45 centimeters tall. These trees are projected to sequester 2 406 tonnes of CO2 equivalents (tCO2e) over their growth period, significantly contributing to carbon capture.
The creation of the Carbon Park involved several key activities: sourcing land options, conducting soil analysis and due diligence, acquiring the land, and planning the project. Soil preparation and mineralization ensured optimal growth conditions. After planting, a comprehensive report documented the initial success.
Future steps include obtaining a PEFC certificate, ongoing soil analysis, and yearly impact reports. Maintenance activities are planned for the first and second years, with further thinning at years 7, 10+, 30, and 65.
Although just planted, the Carbon Park is set to become a thriving forest over the next decade. The local community has embraced it as a natural treasure and educational resource, witnessing the positive impact of strategic afforestation. Eesti Metsameister's Preeria project exemplifies how dedicated environmental management can restore ecological balance and combat climate change.
timeline
The drained Carex-Filipendula site type is characterized by a saturated, peatified soil with a dual component parent material, where variously carbonated, heavy textured (silty clay) sedimentary material or moraine is covered with a 30-60 (100) cm thick layer of sand. The stands are predominantly composed of birch and alder groves, with spruce groves in drained areas. The site quality index, indicating soil fertility, is rated at 2, which means it is fertile. The understory is naturally sparse to moderately dense. The most common understory plants include buckthorn, rowan, bird cherry, spruce, raspberry, blackcurrant, and willows.
Overall, the Carex-Filipendula is a fertile site type where management practices such as thinning and selective logging are encouraged to promote the development of spruce and to guide the stand towards a resilient mixed forest of deciduous and coniferous trees. In terms of volume, stands with such a composition are the most productive in Estonia. This property has a high potential for carbon sequestration, making it particularly suitable for use as a carbon bank through forest planting. The property is located on a plain adjacent to the Esna River, equipped with drainage systems (drainage ditches).
Even though the Carex-Filipendula naturally want birch trees we analysed the surrounding forests and imitated the similar habitat through planting Birch and Spruce mixed forest. The planting went great and now we need to monitor how the plants adapt to their new surroundings.
planting pictures
Eesti Metsameister is firmly moving towards becoming the most environmentally friendly forestry company in Estonia. Our commitment to green thinking and environmentally sustainable practices is reflected in our ambitious goals – for example, we plant at least 10 new trees for every tree harvested and aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.One of the most significant steps toward achieving these goals was the establishment of our own Carbon Reserve Parkin collaboration with Green Deal. This initiative represents a major contribution to both our own and broader climate goals.
"Creating Carbon Parks is not just an obligation to comply with existing directives, but also a clear desire and genuine commitment to contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable environment. It is a great honour and privilege to own the world's first scientifically based Carbon Park and to make history in this field. Our goal is to inspire other companies to take steps towards a greener future. Together, we can achieve more!"
