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Teachers discover felling planning and forestry

In order to increase knowledge and understanding of sustainable forest management, at the end of September, the members of the Latvian Biology Teachers Association went on a nature hike at the end of September with experts from JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” (LVM). The teachers learned about the felling planning process and the nature conservation and protection measures implemented in Latvia’s state forests. During the day, teachers not only viewed various sample plots in the fellings, but also visited the forest science Institute “Silava”.

Members of the Latvian Biology Teachers Association went on a nature hike at the end of September with experts from JSC “Latvijas valsts meži” (LVM), learning about the felling planning process and nature conservation measures implemented in Latvian state forests. During the day, teachers not only viewed various sample plots in the fellings, but also visited the Forest Science Institute “Silava”.

Latvian Biology Teachers Association’s manager Vēsma Vijupe reminisces about the benefits and learned lessons of the day: “During the hike, I highly value the opportunity to learn more about the organisms’ interactions in nature, changes in biocenosis over time, and changes in the forest that are accompanied by climate changes. I wish to forward the new knowledge to my students as well.

The worries of the first week of school in September gradually receded and remained in the clearing along with the planted pine trees. In the laboratories of the forest science institute "Silava," we got acquainted with the research directions and saw how the scientists' eyes lit up when talking about their work. Everything was interesting and useful - the seed bank, the rhizomorphs of parasitic fungi, the experiments with seedling growing substrates, the conversations about photosynthesis in the meristem laboratory, and the surprising "yearly cycles" in the teeth of large predators”.

The educational hike in the forests of Vecumnieki parish was conducted by LVM senior planner Kārlis Taukačs, who does felling planning on a daily basis. Meanwhile, LVM environmental expert Gaidis Grandāns discussed the questions of biological diversity.

The hike took place as a response to the call of the Biology Teachers Association to cooperate with LVM in promoting public awareness of sustainable forest management. Teachers were invited not only to act practically but also to think critically. Together with forest industry specialists, teachers debunked various myths related to the industry, learned about the importance of forests in the Latvian landscape and economy, and also tried to find an answer to the question of what education on sustainability issues should be like in Latvia.