About the Society

Our history

The Society grew out of a simple tradition: forestry students who spent their days learning together in the classroom wanted to spend more time learning together in the forest. What began as informal excursions and study circles developed into an organised association with members, statutes and an elected board.

Today the Society brings together students from across Estonia's forestry and environmental programmes, and maintains friendships with forestry student associations abroad through exchanges, joint meetings and international events.

Legal establishment

Eesti Metsaüliõpilaste Selts is entered in the Estonian register of non-profit associations under registry code 80155159. Its registered address is Jaama tn 27, 72718 Paide, Järva maakond, Estonia.

The Society operates on a non-profit basis. Income is not distributed among members; it is used solely to fulfil the purposes laid out in our statutes.

Founding principles

Our work rests on four principles that have guided the Society from the beginning:

• Learning from the forest itself, through regular fieldwork
• Respect for science and for evidence-based forest management
• Care for biodiversity, wetlands and the wider landscape
• Fellowship between students, generations and nations

Governance structure

The highest body of the Society is the general assembly of members, which approves the annual report, elects the board and decides on changes to the statutes. The board manages day-to-day activity, represents the Society and is accountable to the members.

Our board

The board is elected from among the members for a fixed term. Board members serve on a voluntary basis and receive no remuneration for their duties. Current board composition is available on request at info@foreststudents.bond.