2013

Nearly 400 trees and bushes planted, creating oxygen forest in city environment in Valmiera

Supported by JSC “ Latvia’s State Forests” (LVM), a special trail to become familiar with nature has been laid in the territory of Valmiera State Gymnasium (High School).

With almost 400 various trees and bushes planted, LVM nature trail has been laid at the school. The trail, created within the framework of the nationwide forest seeding and planting campaign “Oxygen”, is 120 metres long and one of the first oxygen forests in a city environment. The forest was planted by students, parents and local government representatives.

LVM nature trail, consisting of 393 trees and bushes, including 257 coniferous trees and bushes and 136 deciduous trees, will serve as an open air class for Valmiera students, residents and guests, offering to become familiar with the diversity of Latvia's nature, obtain practical knowledge about various nature processes, become aware of alternative energy opportunities, replenish energy and become inspired by Latvia's treasure – forests.

“Planted trees hold not only a practical, but also 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 increase the number of oxygen forests in city environments and outside cities is one of our main tasks. Therefore, 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,” LVM Communications Department head Tomass Kotovičs stated, explaining the idea behind oxygen forests.

All trees and bushes on the LVM nature trail were labelled in five languages – Latvian, English, German, Russian and Latin. By the beginning of summer, the trail will also be equipped with a park bench and a pond – with a wooden foot-bridge and steps to serve as a source of samples during studies.

“Valmiera - one of Latvia’s greenest cities - is proud to become the first city with an oxygen forest. This is how we affirm the value of Valmiera’s green territories and their importance in ensuring a high quality living environment for all residents. Those young people, who participated in the forest planting campaign, will be more responsible towards our green adornments. At the same time, this information that was gained when laying the trail will allow one to supplement scholastic knowledge about the diversity of nature in the city. Many education establishments, from kindergartens to higher education institutions, have obtained the status of eco-schools , indicating that the city can be called “Green Valmiera,” emphasized Valmiera City Council Chairman Inesis Boķis.

Within the framework of the nationwide forest seeding and planting campaign “Oxygen”, LVM has launched a large-scale planting of oxygen forests throughout Latvia. 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.

On May 18, within the framework of the Night of Museums, special LVM workshops were opened in 12 museums in many Latvian cities and towns. Nearly 20,000 fir and pine tree seeds were planted in LVM oxygen workshops and every visitor brought home his or her own oxygen tree.

Additional information:

Ilze Meirupska: phone – 28377234, e mail – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.