Our hometown, Tartu, is one of the oldest cities in the Baltic region. It lies in the Southeastern part of Estonia. The River Emajõgi divides Tartu into two parts. Tartu is the second largest town in Estonia after the capital Tallinn. Its population is about 100,000. Tartu was first mentioned in chronicles in 1030. In 1030 Prince Yaroslav the Wise of Kiev established a fortress at the site of Tartu and named it Yuryev. Across centuries the town is also known as Tarbatu, Dorpat, Derpt.
Also, several high-pollution factories are closed down. And our new sewage cleaning system cleans ca 80% of town’s sewage. Pollution caused by transport has also decreased – old and uneconomical buses are replaced by new and environmental-friendly ones and a law regulating the maximum amount of cars’ exhaust is imposed. New bicycle roads are built to further sporting and sustainable lifestyle and thereby to protect the environment.
Every year we have traditional activity – so-called “Scrap-bugaboo day”. Its aim is to explain how important clean environment is and give advice how to solve problems concerning garbage. Last year another environmental campaign was launched – “Keep the city clean!” Its aim was to improve the obtainability of environmental information, to generate a new way of thinking and create possibilities for sustainable lifestyle.
During the campaign the flood of information was meant for all citizens. It means that if they throw their rubbish into the dustbin, if they sort their garbage and if they take their garbage where it belongs to (to a dump), the city will be much cleaner.
Another aim of the campaign was to create for Tartu a reputation of the cleanest city in Estonia. Hence good reputation will further tourism and that would be useful to the whole city. During the campaign a contest of student projects was held and we also took part in it. Our project was approved of and the authorities of Tartu decided to support it. And therefore we are going to maintain the cinder track of Raja Park with the help of students of Tartu Nature House in April 2002. We will restore the marking of the track and clean the park from rubbish.
We also have another project – we are going to publish regularly an environmental newspaper of Tartu Nature House. The first edition has been already issued.
In Tartu there are many sights to be seen – the River Emajõgi with its primeval valley, Toome Hill, many beautiful parks, denudations of old red sandstone and caves of Aruküla. In different parts of the town there are many nature objects under protection and especially important is wetland of Ropka-Ihaste, where many birds nest.
You are welcomed to our beautiful and clean hometown!
Timo Uustal & Pirjo Elbrecht
Tartu, Estonia