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The Annual Latvian Forest Days in Tērvete to Offer a Wide Programme for Schools and Families

On 24 and 25 May, the largest forest industry event – the Latvian Forest Days – will take place in Tērvete. What is the role of wood in carbon sequestration and oxygen production? How can wood construction help the climate? Does our future lie in trees? These are just some of the current topics related to the theme of this year's event – the importance of forests in mitigating climate change.

During the two days, students and families will be able to get to know Latvian forestry at more than 100 forest information stops. Visitors will have the opportunity to try their hand at various forest works, learn about the modern technologies of the forest industry, discover the wide range of uses of wood material and enjoy a wide cultural programme. Those interested will be able to build wooden houses, climb trees, try balance boards, sleep in a cone bath, saw, get to know birds and study bark beetles, watch earth drilling, branch chipping, tree felling, pruning and other demonstrations, as well as participate in many other exciting activities. The entrance is free.

The coordinator of the event, Normunds Namnieks: “Last year, the two-day event was attended by almost 15 thousand forest friends from all over Latvia. This year, too, we are ready to welcome schoolchildren, students, families and all other interested parties to introduce the cycle of forest cultivation from seed to tree house through creative and attractive activities, as well as to inform our visitors about learning and career opportunities in the forest industry at more than 100 forest information stops.”

The first day of the event, 24 May, will be mostly devoted to school students –throughout the day, students and teachers will have the opportunity to get to know the cycle of forest cultivation from a seed to a wooden house, as well as acquire information about learning and career opportunities in the forest industry. On the school day, the winners of the LVM school competitions, as well as the winners of the SIA “Zaļa josta” wastepaper and used battery collection competitions will be awarded in a festive ceremony with the participation of the popular band “Sudden Lights”. 

Saturday, 25 May, will in turn offer a wide range of activities for families. Throughout the day, visitors will have the opportunity to get to know and appreciate the renewable natural resource – wood; there will also be a wide programme of cultural events with the folk-dance group “Avotiņš”, the musical children's programme “Ukulele”, a contemporary dance studio performance and at the end of the day – the band “Labvēlīgais tips” with a special programme. At various stands, visitors can learn how to plant and take care of a forest, as well as “try their hand” at forest work, for example, by sawing logs or becoming a forest machinery – harvester and forwarder – operator.

In line with the theme of this year's Latvian Forest Days, special attention will be paid to the question, of whether the future lies in trees. At the stands, visitors will be able to get to know the wide range of educational and career opportunities in the forest sector and learn about the importance of the forest: for nature friends, the forest is an inexhaustible resource for recreation and knowledge, whereas, for society as a whole, the forest provides prosperity today and tomorrow. The forest is also a means of combating one of the challenges of the future – climate change.

The Latvian Forest Days will be held for the fifth time this year. The event is organized by JSC “Latvia's State Forests” in cooperation with the Dobele Municipality and different forest industry organizations.