The statute of the Commission for Nature Conservation of the Estonian Academy of Sciences

10.03.1998.a.

I. General regulations

1. The Commission for Nature Conservation of the Estonian Academy of Sciences (below commission) founded in 1955 is attached to the Department of Biology, Geology and Chemistry of the Estonian Academy of Sciences. The membership of the commission and changes in it are confirmed by the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences.

2. The main responsibility of the Commission is the propounding and treating of the problems connected with the protection and utilisation of Estonian nature, particularly nature monuments and unique nature objects, of natural resources, and the elaboration of respective measures to be presented to the Academy of Sciences, to the Ministry of the Environment and other competent institutions, and taking part in popularisation of nature conservation ideas and raising public awareness of nature conservation.

3. The Commission is a non-profitable organisation. The resolutions of the commission are of advisable nature.

II. The tasks of the commission

4. The main tasks of the commission are:

• to estimate the situation in nature conservation and respective scientific research in Estonia and make proposals for further measures;
• to make proposals for amendments and additions in existing nature conservation legislation;
• in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment to register fungus, plant and animal species in danger (the Red Data Book);
• to organise the compilation and publication of nature conservation literature;
• to invite conferences, meetings, seminars and discussions on nature and environment conservation;
• if required, to take up other tasks connected with nature and environment protection.

III. The organisation of work

5. The work of the commission is organised by the board of the commission consisting of the chairman, two vice-chairmen and a learned secretary. The membership of the board recommended by the commission and put forward by the Department of Biology, Geology and Chemistry is approved by the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences.

6. For the treatment of some problems, the commission has the right to set up working groups and include in them experts from other institutions.

7. Main problems belonging to the sphere of the activities of the commission are discussed at general meetings at the participation of experts when considered necessary.

8.General meetings of the commission take place irregularly, but at least once per three months. The members of the commission are informed of the time and the agenda of the meeting at least ten days before the meeting.

9. Main problems of nature and environment protection are discussed on plenary assemblies.

10. The emblem of the commission, a flying barn swallow, is used on letter forms and publications.