Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve was established on 17 February 1994. The first protection rules of Alam-Pedja were adopted on 3 March 1995. The document “Approval of the protection rules of Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve and Karula National Park and of the description of the outer border of Karula National Park” entered into force on 22 March 1995.

The protection rules of Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve currently valid divide Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve into 4 strict nature reserves, 25 conservation zones and 9 limited management zones.

Throughout time, people have always had a place in the nature landscape of Alam-Pedja. There are two Stone Age settlements known in the area: Siimusaare (on the west coast of former Lake Suur-Võrtsjärv) and Haudemäe (on the north coast). Based on the amount of fishing gear found, it may be concluded that fishing was an important means of subsistence of the people 15th century was the first time Palupõhja Village was mentioned in writing.

Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve located on the depression of Lake Võrtsjärv is an area of wide swamps, primeval forests, winding rivers and broad flooded meadows.

The waters of Lake Suur-Võrtsjärv were here after the Ice Age, 7,500 until 10,000 years ago. As the water surface lowered, the relict lakes decreased over time. Today, these have been formed into bog massifs: Põltsamaa, Laeva, Umbusi, Soosaare, Meleski and Sangla bogs.

• In 1931, Gustav Vilberg made a proposal in the journal Eesti Mets (Estonian Forest) to create a protected area with a big surface area in the Alam-Pedja region.
• Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve was established in 1994.
• Upon floods, the common flooded area downstream of the Emajõgi River and the Pedja and Põltsamaa Rivers may be more than 9,000 ha, leaving one third of the nature reserve under water.
• Swamps and swamp forests make up 72% of Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve.
• Alam-Pedja flooded meadow is the second largest after Kasari delta flooded meado