The poor state of the ecosystems of the Baltic Sea, including its catchment area, is emphasised and the inadequacy of current methods of improving it is noted. The organisation of nature protection areas to "relieve' the environmental damage is suggested. It is proposed that they should be called State Natural National Parks. A park of this kind is planned for the Karelian isthmus between the Gulf of Finland and Lake Ladoga. The natural conditions, agriculture, population and economy of the Karelian isthmus are described, and the complex problems involved in the creation of the Park are outlined. The Park will play an important part in the ecologization of the Baltic region. -P.Cooke