2021

JSC "Latvia's State Forests" has been Taking Care of State Forests Already for 22 Years

JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) was established on 28 October 1999. During these 22 years, the company has been growing and developing, becoming an innovative and sustainable forest owner, balancing economic, social and environmental interests.

“The last two years have not been easy for many companies in Latvia and in the world. The Covid-19 pandemic not only shook the world economically, it also led to a reassessment of human values. Sustainably managed Latvia’s State forests are the basis of the changing and unpredictable current situation – they are not only stable jobs in the regions, but also support for Latvia's prosperity. The forest has united people at different times, and now the society has seriously re-evaluated its daily habits, choosing the forest as a place for relaxation and strength. Forest trails are always the safest place for strengthening health and recreation, covering the 1.6 million hectares of State forest lands,” says LVM President Roberts Strīpnieks.

The result of LVM's economic activity, which is based on forest tending and regeneration, taking care of environmental protection, recreation and wood growth, has also ensured stable and increasing payments to the State budget in the form of taxes and dividends for 22 years. As compared to the beginning, LVM's turnover has increased from 24 million euros more than 15 times, reaching almost 350 million euros last year. At the same time, LVM has contributed 1.35 billion euros to the State and local government budgets since its establishment.

Forest areas in Latvia have doubled over the last 80 years, while the amount of wood in the forest or stock has increased 3.5 times. The volume of timber in the forests managed by LVM increases by 12 million cubic metres annually. More than 31 million young trees have already been planted in 2021.

In addition to sustainable and responsible forestry, LVM also aims to develop innovations. Forest management is no longer possible without the use of the latest technologies, and unmanned aerial vehicles or drones are increasingly used in LVM's operations. Currently, LVM uses drones on a daily basis, monitoring large nests, collecting forest stock data, planning forestry work and elsewhere. Drones also play an important role in case of fire and storm damage. 

During the 22 years, LVM has created and maintains more than 300 free recreation places throughout the territory of Latvia, allowing everyone to relax, gain the power of nature and strengthen their health by going for walks along nature trails that wind more than 200 km in Latvia’s State forests, or use one of the 100 km long cycle paths set up and maintained by LVM.