According to Heiki Hepner, President of the Estonian Society of Foresters, the forest and forestry have been a source of support for the Estonian people throughout the ages. “In the early years of independence, timber procured in our forests was the most important source of power and in subsequent years it helped to build up our farms,” Hepner said. “Upon the restoration of independence, the forest was the asset backing the Estonian kroon and today it is the most important and species rich ecosystem, which serves as a strong support both for agriculture and the social sphere,” he noted.
Eesti Metsaseltsi presidendi Heiki Hepneri sõnul on mets ja metsandus olnud Eesti rahvale toeks läbi aegade. Iseseisvuse algusaastatel oli meie metsadest varutud puit kõige olulisemaks energiaallikaks ning järgnevatel aastatel aitas ta üles ehitada meie talud, ütles Hepner. Taasiseseisvumisel oli mets krooni kattevaraks ning täna on tegemist kõige olulisema ning liigirikkama ökosüsteemiga, mis on tugevaks toeks nii majandusele kui ka sotsiaalsfäärile, märkis ta.