2019

LVM Supports the Open Data Policy

JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM), already in 2017, in support of the national open data policy and related initiatives, started publishing open data and open access services. Currently, LVM GEO website www.lvmgeo.lv and the Latvian Open Data Portal have already published more than 25 geospatial data sets containing information about LVM managed forest stands, infrastructure, tourism sites and forest protection objects.

LVM open data are supplemented with new data sets, and the existing data sets are updated on a regular basis. The latest information in the company's open datasets includes geospatial data on nature trails, tourist signs and infrastructure facilities. 

The data published by LVM are freely available for scientific research, development of new applications and maps, geospatial analysis and other purposes.

LVM also uses information published by other data creators and holders to support its business operations and develop various information and communication technology (ICT) solutions.

According to the Freedom of Information Law, open data mean free access to free information, without re-use restrictions, which can be edited and automatically processed using the most popular applications.

At the end of summer 2019, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the informative report “Open Data Strategy of Latvia” elaborated by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (MEPRD), defining further actions with the opening of data available to the state. The goal of open data strategies and government is the development of a data-driven society and state, and the implementation of an expanded policy of openness and transparency.

LVM open geospatial data can be found here: https://www.lvmgeo.lv/dati  and https://data.gov.lv/dati/lv/organization/lvm