Forest lives. According to scientist, Estonian forests are home to close to 20 000 species of living organisms. All of them are dependent at least in some phase of their lives on forest and species inhabiting there. Forest is entirety due to its intertwining relations, and it is virtually impossible to say severing of which would cause disintegration of this entirety. The fact that these days witness severing many important relations is revealed by the state of affairs where 31% of Estonia’s endangered species is associated with forest.

Richness and strength of forest derives from its diversity. Diverse forest means habitats for various species, also for rare ones. Great diversity makes forest more durable and increases their ability for recovery from large-scale disturbances (storms, fires etc.).

Extremely intensive forest management in the beginning of this century has applied pressure on the large part of the biota. The species living in old forests ripe for felling have found themselves in the most difficult position. According to scientists, at least 10% of the total surface area of Estonian forests should be left for natural development in order to preserve those species.

In addition to the biota of old forests, also species with specific habitational needs demand attention, whose habitats’ preservation does not require the protection of large forest areas. However, one has to ensure the preservation of necessary living conditions for them, be it the existence of dead wood, preservation of natural water regime, preservation of big, old and solitary trees or something else.

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of forest in our culture. Through the course of time it was forest and trees which mediated our relations with ancestors and spiritual world. Still existing 550 sacred groves in forests testify to the significance of such sacred places.

ELF’s main activities in forests are the following: bringing principles of the knowledge-based and sustainable forest management to Estonian forest policy and relevant legislation; promoting sustainable forest management in cooperation with private forest owners; cooperation with forest companies for the transparent forestry sector; making inventories of valuable forests; surveillance of developments in Estonian forestry and forest protection, pointing attention to problems.