2019

Extensive Forest Clean-up Works Take Place in State Forests

Already for twelve years, Latvian residents have been encouraged to think and take care of the environment by participating in an ambitious clean-up event that takes place throughout Latvia - the Big Clean-up, which is organised by JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) together with other enthusiasts. This year, in cooperation with local governments forest clean-up activities are organised in all LVM regions.

Within the framework of the Big Clean-up, a series of events are already in full swing. For example, in LVM Northern Latgale Region on 25 April, in cooperation with representatives of the Forest Service and the local government, clean-up works were organised in a tourist area near Smecere Pine Wood. In this forest area, Lazdona school students together with their teachers collected more than two cubic metres of waste that filled two trucks.

“The long-term cooperation with Lazdona school students has had a positive effect, since compared to previous years, the amount of household waste has decreased by almost half. People are becoming more educated, especially the younger generation. It is the children who teach their parents to respect forest and not to litter there. School students came up with the idea of placing an informative poster in this forest district, reminding visitors not to litter in the forest,” says Vilnis Otvars, a Forester at LVM Northern Latgale Madona Forest District. After the well-done work in the fresh air, Prauliena team of hunters, Lita and Arnis Auziņi, had prepared a festive meal.

On 27 April, in cooperation with Smiltene City Council, it is planned to carry out maintenance works of the bicycle path in Smiltene (LVM Eastern Vidzeme Region): to organise the removal of fallen trees, to repair the wooden bridge and other works that will make nature more enjoyable for all cyclists and those who enjoy active recreation.

A number of other forest, park and LVM recreation area improvement and clean-up works are planned in all eight LVM regions.

Since forest clean-up works are organised all through the year, LVM invites all interested to apply for the LVM Open Forest Days events. Participants have the opportunity not only to participate in the clean-up works, but also ask LVM experts questions about forest and forest management processes.

LVM has introduced a new tradition - the Latvian Forest Days, which will be held for the second time in LVM Nature Park in Tērvete, to help us learn about the forest and its processes. Within two days bringing together forest industry representatives, school students and adults, those present will have an opportunity to get to know the forest from a seed to the finished product at 80 exploratory stops. They will see the forest equipment in action and get an idea of the everyday life of forest industry representatives.

In preparation for the event, already on 13 April, within the framework of the Big Clean-up, saw woodchip alignment works were carried out in LVM Nature Park in Tērvete. 

Many residents of Tērvete Municipality take part in the Big Clean-up every year, because the orderly environment gives satisfaction for the work done. The dwarfs of LVM Nature Park in Tērvete say that the volume of waste in the forest, in Tērvete Pine Wood, in meadows and on the banks of the river is decreasing every year, which means that park's visitors are becoming more educated and responsible.

In autumn, 6th grade students from all over Latvia are encouraged to participate in an exciting and adventurous adventure - the LVM Forest Expedition. During this event, young people can see in practice how knowledge acquired at school can be used in everyday life. They become aware of the human impact on the forest ecosystem, and get an understanding of the importance of conservation of forests for future generations.

On a route of about 2 km, at a number of stops, the students will be met by a leader who will give practical and creative tasks to be done both individually and in groups, thus involving everyone present. After completing the tasks, at the finish line children will have a picnic in a well-maintained recreation area with a camp-fire where they will have an opportunity to relax and celebrate the end of the adventure. Next year's LVM Forest Expeditions are open for applications until 10 May, by filling in the application form on the website www.lvm.lv/ekspedicija.