Soo, T. and Meikar, T. 2008. Higher Forestry Education in Estonia and Latvia before 1920. Baltic Forestry, 14 (1): 58-65

The principal aim of this study is to analyze the opportunities of receiving higher forestry education in Estonia and Latvia before 1920. The study relies on archival documents and published materials originating from the 19th century and from the beginning of the 20th century. The history of higher forestry education in Estonia and Latvia dates back to the beginning of the 19th century. During the 19th century Tartu University and the forestry classes of Jelgava and Riga Polytechnic Schools (Institute) successively provided forestry education. The study characterizes the organizational and theoretical aspects of forestry education in Tartu, Jelgava and Riga and analyzes the opportunities of receiving higher forestry education in Estonia and Latvia before 1920, and the connections, similarities and differences in the education provided.

Key words: higher forestry education, history of Estonian forestry, history of Latvian forestry, Tartu University, Jelgava Gymnasium, Riga Polytechnic Institute