About Kärde village
Kärde is a village in Jõgeva Parish, Jõgeva County in eastern Estonia. It was first mentioned already in 1411, allowing the villagers in the year 2011 to celebrate the village's 600th 'birthday'.
Kärde Manor was the location where the Treaty of Cardis between Tsardom of Russia and Swedish Empire in 1661 after the Russo-Swedish War was signed. Kärde Peace House still stands in the old park in the village center to commemorate this historic event.
On the doorstep of Kärde village lies Endla Nature Reserve, established in 1985 to protect the central part of Endla mires which is relatively little affected by human activities. The eight mire complexes are separated by rivers, narrow floodplain meadows and swamp forests. Several overlapping hiking trails and the planked path on Männikjärv bog, which takes visitors to a viewing platform, offer an opportunity to observe different bird and plant species. The centre of the nature reserve with an exposition is in Tooma.
Kärde can boast with not only its beautiful untouched nature and genuine village environment, but also its wonderful citizens. Kärde Village Society (Kärde Küla Selts) was established in 2010 and has since gained more than 40 active members, organized many events and invigorated the village life.
About Kärde Village Society
MTÜ Kärde Küla Selts ('Kärde Village Society', PIC 933198783), founded in 2010, is a rural NGO with members of all ages, that is active in the field of sustainability, historic and cultural heritage, nature protection, involvement of citizens and an active rural community, as well as social entrepreneurship. The society has successfully organized Community activities day "Let's do it!" in and around Kärde village since 2011. The society has also provided the village center with a picnic and barbecue place, a professional volleyball court and replaced an old pier on the village lake with a brand new one. Worth mentioning are also such events as Kärde Village Reunion, annual Kärde Sports Games, bicycle trips, educational hikes to Endla Nature Reserve, etc. For the near future, the village society aims to establish a children's playground and sledding slope, park trails with lighting, a free outdoor gym and disc golf track in the village. Since 2015 the society annually elects and awards an outstanding member of the community with a Kärde Gold Stone award.
Another important goal is to cooperate with other similar organizations all around EU in order to together gain and share experiences for further development. If you are an organization with similar goals and interests looking for project partners, do not hesitate to contact MTÜ Kärde Küla Selts by writing to info@kardekula.eu!