2015

Nature's treasures searched on Day of Nature

The 11th Day of Nature organized by "Latvian State Forests" (LVM) was held in Koknese on Mara's Day (March 25), gathering a large number of participants from various environmental organizations, representatives from the Forest Faculty of the Latvia University of Agriculture, the Latvian State Forest Research Institute "Silava", the State Forest Service, and the Agriculture Ministry, as well as numerous LVM scholarship holders.

On the Day of Nature, enthusiasts had the opportunity to become acquainted with recent activities regarding environmental monitoring, and observe LVM's experimental production development project "Management Solutions to Young Forest Plantations" in action.

Forest equipment – environmentally friendly and harmless

"This is the first time we visit a felling area on the Day of Nature. We, as environmental activists, should voice an opposing stance, but what we saw in the forest today looked environmentally friendly and harmless," Vice-President,"Vides aizsardzibas klubs", Elita Kalnina, shared her thoughts and impressions about the Nature Day's events. "Forest equipment works like a ballerina – with ease and grace! Today I learnt about forest equipment and found out that work in forests is still very tough, for example, replacing saw chains," says Kalnina, admitting that she had imagined forest equipment to be different.

Work like Sweden

"This is the first time I am taking part in LVM's Nature Day," says Niks Sauva, a graduate  student majoring in forestry at the Latvia University of Agriculture, "but from what I have seen here, I had already learned about during my on-the-job training. I saw a similar forest plantation management method one year ago, when I was visiting Sweden, but today I found out that the same method is used also in Latvia."

Book of vultures and rejuvenating ash-trees

Dr. habil. geogr. Maris Lavins of the Forest Ecology and Forestry Department at the Latvian State Forest Research Institute "Silava" took part in LVM's Nature Day for the first time to experience new trends in his daily routine: "I was mostly surprised by the ornithologist Ugis Bergmanis' large-scale study of vultures in Latvia. It could make an entire book." The forest ecologist also had a high opinion of the opportunity to visit new tourist sites: "I was pleased by the forest near the Ellite sulphur spring, which is home to rejuvenating ash-trees, free of fungal diseases. I will definitely come back in the summer. In general, I had a very positive opinion of the seminar."