POST-CONFERENCE TOURS' DESCRIPTIONS

All tours leave after the scientific programme has ended on June 3 and will reach the destination in the evening - drive time to both locations is approximately 4-5 hours. A lunch pack on the bus, dinner and overnight stay together with breakfast is included. Accommodation will be in twin rooms with same-sex registrants or your accompanying person. The programme at the destination will take place on June 4 and the end is currently planned for the afternoon.
The organisers reserve the right to make any changes to the programme as necessary. Please note that in case the minimum number of participants is not reached, the tour will be cancelled. If this happens, the registrants will be refunded the cost of the tour.

TOUR 1: SAAREMAA ISLAND (ESTONIA)

Saaremaa is Estonia’s biggest island. We will visit Mukri bog (2.5 km, has a watch tower) on the way, enjoy the island culture and have an overnight stay. Participants will visit the island's capital city Kuressaare, enjoy views from Panga cliff which is the highest bedrock outcrop of the Silurian period in Western Estonia and see the Kaali meteorite crater. We will visit an attractive trial area: there is an ongoing project between Estonian University of Life Sciences and the State Forest Management Centre: “Forest Tree Improvement Programme of the Estonian State Forest Management Centre”, and a trial plantation has been established in Mändjala. Initiated in 2011, the collaboration between aims to identify the best progeny of plus trees of pine, spruce, silver birch, and black alder. The seeds of these top-performing offspring and their mother trees will form the basis for future state forest generations.
On the next day, the excursion will finish in Tallinn where it is easy to catch a flight home.

Approximate travelling time: Tartu → Saaremaa: total 5.5–6.5 hours, including ~25 min ferry crossing

TOUR 2: LATVIA

We will visit the Latvijas Finieris Tree Nursery "Zābaki". The visit is organised by MeKa, the Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Institute (in Latvian: SIA Meža un koksnes produktu pētniecības un attīstības institūts). ​It was founded by the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Joint Stock Company “Latvia’s State Forests” (LVM) and the Latvian Forest Industry Federation. The Zābaki tree nursery is a place where nature, science and sustainability meets to develop Latvia’s fertile land and forests. We combine scientific excellence with practical and sustainable forestry, providing high-quality birch and black alder seedlings. It is a platform where students, policymakers, partners and community representatives can develop their understanding of responsible land use, forestry and the role of wood

On the way to Riga, the bus will make a stop on the way in Valmiermuiža Brewery. After dinner, there will be a city tour and an overnight stay in Riga. In the morning, the tree nursery visit will take place and lunch will be served there. After that, we will visit natukre in the Turaida/Sigulda areas. Participants can easily catch a flight home from Riga Airport or return to Tartu on the bus.

Approximate travelling time: Tartu → Riga: total 4.5–5 hours

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

BRONZE SPONSOR