You are now reading the 2004 annual electronic bulletin "Forest and Nature in Northwest Russia". With this issue we have the pleasure to present you some of the proceedings and activities of the sustainable forestry and nature protection projects conducted by Finland and Russia in 2004.

The Finnish-Russian Development Programme on Sustainable Forest Management and Conservation of Biological Diversity in Northwest Russia (NWRDP) has already been implemented during two operational periods: the first phase1997-2000 and the current second phase 2001-2004. The Programme and its sectors - the Forestry projects and the Nature Conservation projects - have been externally evaluated during these years. The evaluations have assessed the results of the Programme to be good, and have recommended the continuation of the cooperation with a third phase for the years 2005-2010.

Within the Programme, over 20 forestry projects and over 30 nature conservation projects have been implemented in the regions of Northwest Russia. A great deal of knowledge, information and experience has been gained and exchanged during these years. We think it is fair to say, that a solid base for future cooperation has been created. The stakeholders on both sides of the border have found that it is necessary to continue joint operations in the future.

However, the NWRDP needs further developing. Both sectors of the Programme have now revised their objectives and means to reach them to some extent. The Forest Sector has found it necessary to develop the educational structures of the forest sector. In Phase III, the Forest Sector of the Programme will focus on capacity building of all levels of the continuous education structures in the forestry sector. The Nature Conservation Sector has found the most important cooperation needs in the development of a network of nature protected areas in Northwest Russia. Project planning and management training for the third phase of the Programme is being organised for the Russian partners during the autumn 2004 and spring 2005.

Since June 2004, the Forest Sector of the Programme has a new Finnish Coordinator - Ms. Laura Kauppila from the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The former coordinator, Mr. Tatu Torniainen, has started research work in the Finnish Forestry Research Institute (METLA).

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