Story and Values
Mission, Vision, and Core Values
Our Mission
Our mission is to maintain—and teach others to maintain—a balance between people and the natural environment so that our good life does not come at the expense of future generations.
We want Estonia to be characterized by a nature-conscious and environmentally sustainable way of life that endures from generation to generation, for people to notice and appreciate the nature around them, and to care for all living creatures and their habitats.
Our Vision
Our vision is for Tartu Nature House to serve as a beacon of environmental education in Estonia.
Our Core Values
Our activities are guided by five core values, which are reflected both in nature education and in our day-to-day collaboration.
Environmental Stewardship
In natural balance and well-maintained (Naturaliter libratum praestitum).
We believe that humans are part of nature, and we respect and value nature as much as we do people. We have a deep reverence for life—our mission is to preserve nature’s balance.
Professionalism
Value-based, scientifically grounded, and well-executed actions (Valorem substructio, scientific sana et perfecte complevit actiones).
Our professionalism is shaped by our educated, broad-minded, and qualified staff. Our work is purposeful and aligned with an ecological worldview: a scientific understanding of the connections between phenomena.
Creativity
The freedom to approach things creatively (Libertas adeundi creativo).
The freedom, within the framework of our shared values, to choose and decide on an individual basis what we do and how we do it. The opportunity to bring new ideas to life, to stand out, and to be a pioneer in certain activities.
Commitment
The clarity of passionate commitment (In passionale commitment clarum est).
We care about what we feel, think, and do.
Empathetic Kindness
Seeing and acting with both mind and heart (Videndi et agendi cum mente et corde).
We are friendly, caring, and attentive toward all beings.
The Center’s Story
Founded in 2002, the Tartu Environmental Education Center Foundation grew out of the Tartu City Young Naturalists’ Station, established in 1953, which later became the municipal hobby school Tartu Nature House.
In 2001, changes were made to the organization of extracurricular education, resulting in the closure of Tartu Loodusmaja as a municipal extracurricular school. Consequently, the nature center had to find a new way to ensure its continued existence.
An active school board began working to ensure the school’s survival and the development of nature and environmental education in Tartu.
Read more about the center’s history (PDF) →
The Story of Tartu Nature House
Key milestones in the construction of the current Tartu Nature House building:
- 2010 – architectural competition.
- 2011 – design phase.
- 2012–2013 – the old green wooden house was demolished and a new energy-efficient building was constructed in its place.
Building and Park Details
Building area: 1,480 m²
Park area: 10,000 m²
Architecture and interior design: KARISMA Architects OÜ
Contractor: Merko Tartu AS
Client: City of Tartu
Funding: European Union Regional Development Fund and City of Tartu
Building user: Tartu Environmental Education Center Foundation
You can read about the Tartu Nature House’s design concept, building materials, and environmentally friendly technologies in a separate overview.
Explore the Tartu Nature House design concept →
Important Documents of the Tartu Environmental Education Center Foundation
Important documents related to the foundation’s activities are compiled on a separate document page.