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20 • 04 • 2022
Families Head for Latvia’s State Forest Hike together with Forest Experts
To determine the age and height of trees growing in the forest, to get to know the natural values in the forest and to plant the future forest stand themselves – this opportunity was used by a number of people who responded to the invitation of JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) to do it all together with forest experts.
The six-kilometre hike led through forests of different ages, allowing participants to find out what forestry activities are taking place in the country's forests. Kārlis Taukačs, Senior Planner at LVM Vidusdaugava Region, went to the forest together with the participants to enjoy a day full of knowledge and discoveries. Sanita Vaivode-Āzena, Head of LVM Kalsnava Arboretum, and other forest experts answered participants' questions not only about the economic, but also ecological value of the forest and the various recreational opportunities it can offer.
“By going to nature in a forest master class, we give ourselves an opportunity to discover that the knowledge gained on the school bench is also useful during a hike and has a wide range of practical applications. We see and analyse the regularities that are revealed when we hold in our hands a chip drilled with a Pressler Auger or a pH indicator sheet moistened in a soil extraction solution. We observe and understand what is happening in nature – by being in nature.
We spent the hike talking, finding answers to every question and real-life examples in the area; we took a walk along a very scenic route with forest stands of different ages, which allowed the participants to find differences and value in each of the stands. The participants shared that they also learned something new and understood a little more about why forests are managed in a certain way. The participants were very interested and happy about the opportunity to work in practice,” Sanita Vaivode-Āzena, Head of LVM Kalsnava Arboretum, talks about the brightest benefits of the day.
Learning from forest
To strengthen the new knowledge and get to know the work of foresters, the participants of the master class determined the height of trees, the age of trees, studied various ecological values in the area and performed other practical tasks.
Līga Abizāre, LVM Environmental Education Manager: “Walking and working in nature not only improves our health, but also facilitates the acquisition of new knowledge, because being in nature involves all the senses. Moreover, we remember better what we not only see and hear, but also try out in practice – for example, during the master class hike, we learnt mathematics in practice by doing field work and determining the number of trees per hectare. Determining the height of a tree also involved acquiring knowledge of geometry, whereas lighting a fire – skills related to physics and technology. That is why I am so happy that there were so many school-age children on the hike with their parents – they have an opportunity not only to spend quality time together, but also to learn something new that can be useful later in school and in everyday life.”
Capture moments of feeling, cognition and peace
“Latvia’s State Forest Master Class is a great opportunity to clarify exciting questions about and around the forest in a friendly atmosphere together with experienced forest specialists. As in many areas, we each have our own ideas about the forest and its tending, so the opportunity to see the forest at different stages of its development, determine the soil pH level, measure the age of trees, calculate the amount of wood in the forest – opened new horizons for both children and adults. It was a special pleasure to have the opportunity to plant trees and participate in the creation of the forest! I would like to thank LVM Forest Master Class team for an attractive, creative and exploratory walk,” Arta, who participated in the master class together with her family, shares her impressions during the day.
At the end of the day, the participants got acquainted with the wide world of woody plants at LVM Kalsnava Arboretum. In the arboretum, you can take part in creative and cognitive activities every day, walk a thuja labyrinth, climb the 25-metre-high observation tower, overlooking the expanses of the arboretum and the forests of Kalsnava. LVM Kalsnava Arboretum has been collecting inspiring moments for many years. LVM experts also called on the participants to go in nature and capture every moment filled with feelings, knowledge, and peace.
On 10 May, an application for the next hike will be announced on the Latvia’s State Forests Facebook page, which will take place on 28 May as part of the Latvian Forest Day.
