Areas designated for the implementation of international agreements in Estonia (EELIS)

Areas submitted by Estonia in accordance with international conventions and directives managed by the Estonian Nature Information System (EELIS): 1) Helcom Areas (Convention for the Conservation of the Baltic Sea, Part of the Conservation of Marine Habitats and Biota); (2) Ramsar areas (valued wetlands meeting the requirements of the Ramsar Convention and approved by the Ramsar Commission); 3) Natura 2000 (Natural and Bird Areas); 4) Biosphere Reserve (the boundary of the Biosphere Reserve of West-Estonian Archipelago). The Biosphere Reserve was established in 1989 and was recognised by Unesco in 1990. The first Ramsar area was approved in 1994. Natura sites were submitted to the European Commission in 2004.