13 • 05 • 2013
LVM launches planting of oxygen forests
Within the framework of the nationwide forest seeding and planting campaign called “Oxygen”, JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) launches a large-scale planting of oxygen forests throughout Latvia. One of the first oxygen forests will be planted in the territory of Valmiera State Gymnasium on May 18. LVM intends to plant approximately 30 million trees this year, renewing almost 16,000 hectares of forest.
Oxygen forests will be planted not only in wooded territories, but also in city environments, regenerating and supplementing existing green areas and planting new groves. To promote greater responsibility and affection for Latvia's treasure – forests – LVM wishes to establish a new tradition – an annual forest seeding and planting event with family members.
Planted trees hold not only a practical, but also a symbolic meaning. Each year, LVM plants millions of trees, however, tree planting with children, friends and relatives is yet another way to teach them how to care about nature and understand its processes. To understand how an oak can grow from an acorn or how an apple-tree, planted several years ago, can bear fruit, explains LVM Communications Department head Tomass Kotovičs.
Valmiera State Gymnasium students, parents and local government representatives will plant one of the first oxygen forests in the school's territory - nearly 500 trees. They will also lay a special LVM trail for becoming familiar with nature. Oxygen forests will be planted in the territory of Valmiera State Gymnasium (Leona Paegles Street 40, Valmiera) at 1 p.m. on May 18.
In support of a green lifestyle and the idea of Latvia becoming the world's greenest country, several public figures, including stylist and “Kids Gazette” blog author Santa Bindemane-Mihelsone, conductor Normunds Šnē, Sinfonietta Rīga musicians, creative association “Skudras metropole” head Gundega Skudriņa and her family, musician Māra Upmane – Holšteina and Kristīne Virsnīte from “Māmiņu klubs”, will also plant oxygen forests in their gardens or forests.
Moreover, on May 18, within the framework of this year's Night of Museums, special LVM workshops will be open in several museums in many Latvian cities and towns – Rīga, Liepāja, Valka, Rēzekne, Naukšēni, Roja, Talsi and Aizpute. Their visitors will have access to more than 20,000 fir and pine tree seeds, giving everyone a chance to plant his/her own tree and contribute to Latvia's oxygen forests.
LVM has been carrying out a large-scale forest planting campaign since the end of April, planting 1,800 to 2,000 hectares of forest each week. This year, the company intends to plant 10,200 hectares of forest, including 8,700 hectares this spring. Overall, 15.7 hectares of forest will be regenerated this year.
The nationwide forest seeding and planting campaign “Oxygen” was launched in Spring 2010, aiming to make Latvia the world's greenest country. More than 90 million trees have been planted in Latvia since then. When trees grow, they absorb harmful carbon and produce oxygen, reducing air pollution and improving air quality. A cubic meter of wood absorbs a ton of carbon and produces 727 kilograms of oxygen.
Additional Information:
Ilze Meirupska: phone – 28377234, e-mail -
