On January 22, 2025, the Estonian Environmental Board hosted a conference in Tartu titled “Eesti kaitsealuste liikide nimekirjade kaasajastamine” (“Updating Estonia’s List of Protected Species”).

The aim of the conference was to introduce professionals working in Estonia’s environmental sector to the plans and actions for updating the national list of protected species, present the current situation regarding species conservation in Estonia, and more.

At the event, Dmitry Telnov, the coordinator of the invertebrate species group within the LIFE FOR SPECIES project, representing the University of Latvia’s Institute of Biology, was invited to deliver a presentation titled “Towards a New National List of Protected Species in Latvia: LIFE FOR SPECIES Project Approach.”

The Latvian LIFE FOR SPECIES project was praised during the conference for its systematic approach to preparing Latvia’s list of protected species, transparency, and criteria-based methodology. The project was also commended for its significant contributions to communication efforts related to species conservation and project activities, including seminars, exhibitions, conferences, and interviews. Participants expressed interest in Latvia’s planned and existing categories of species protection, as well as in the financial benefits associated with species conservation.

Other presenters at the conference represented the Estonian Environmental Board, the Estonian Ministry of Climate, and the University of Tartu. In total, there were eight presentations.

A significant portion of the conference was dedicated to questions from experts and other attendees directed at the Estonian Environmental Board, which is coordinating the project to update the national list of protected species (2024–2028). The project is currently in its initial phase and aims to review the status and categories of all species already included in the list. However, the list itself will remain unchanged. This means that all species currently listed as protected in Estonia will retain their status after 2028, though some may be reclassified into different categories based on their current population status. Additionally, the system of species protection categories in Estonia will not undergo changes.

The conference was attended by over 220 participants, including more than 120 in person and over 100 joining online. The attendees represented various Estonian environmental institutions, NGOs, and other organizations, including nearly all of Estonia’s environmental experts.

For more information about the conference, visit: https://www.keskkonnaamet.ee/sveitsi-eesti-koostooprogrammi-elurikkuse-programm