On current and upcoming events
### It is still possible to sign for the future of hunting in Europe: https://signforhunting.com/
### A study on horticulture and its environmental impact by scientists from ten countries (including colleagues from Daugavpils University); we invite you to support it by participating in the survey:
### From 29 March: Watercolour exhibition “Birds at Home” by a Ukrainian ornithologist at the Natural History Museum
### 12 April webinar on the management of fertile peat soils in the Baltic states and Finland:
### 19 April seminar in Kandava on meat smoking and hydrocarbons (please see attachment)
https://www.silava.lv/aktualitates/aicinam-pieteikties-seminaram-par-galas-kupinasanu-un-policiklisko-aromatisko-ogludenradi
https://www.silava.lv/aktualitates/aicinam-pieteikties-seminaram-par-galas-kupinasanu-un-policiklisko-aromatisko-ogludenradi
### Until 14 April: applications open for the annual award in environmental protection “Green Excellence 2023”
### 28 April: Forest Comes to Jelgava
https://www.llu.lv/lv/raksts/2023-04-04/28-aprili-mezs-ienak-jelgava
https://www.zemeunvalsts.lv/mezs-ienak-jelgava/4347
https://www.zemeunvalsts.lv/mezs-ienak-jelgava/4347
### 12 and 13 May: Forest ABC at Struņķukrogs in Padure Parish, Kuldīga Municipality
### Latvian Forest Days in Tērvete. 26 and 27 May:
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/6761-meza-nozime-cina-ar-klimata-parmainam-si-gada-tema-latvijas-meza-dienas
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/6761-meza-nozime-cina-ar-klimata-parmainam-si-gada-tema-latvijas-meza-dienas
### Celebration of the 100th anniversary of the student society Šalkone on 16 June
On industry and policy updates
The State Chancellery announces a competition for the position of Director General of the State Forest Service (VMD)
In areas managed by LVM, about one-fifth of the felling sites planned for development this year will be temporarily restricted in the parishes where a state of emergency has been declared.
Due to the imposed restrictions, a total production volume decline of 100,000 cubic metres is projected. Furthermore, an increase in development costs of 0.3 million euros is expected, primarily related to the relocation of logging machinery.
The State Forest Service informs that as of 17 April 2023, customer service at the Rīga Forestry Office located at 13. janvāra iela 15 will be discontinued. The decision was made after evaluating the operations of the Rīga Forestry Office under the State Forest Service's Rīga Regional Administration, the volume of clients served in person, the services requested, and the currently available digital options for receiving services.
Following a significant rise in water levels in the Aiviekste and Pededze rivers, the Jaunpededze road in the Balvi district, built in 2020, has flooded extensively, particularly in the LVM North Latgale region.
A difficult situation due to the elevated water levels also developed on the “Vārupes ceļš” forest road in the Žīguri district of the LVM North Latgale region, where a 50–60 metre long stretch of road was washed away six years ago due to large volumes of water.
Rīgas meži territories are located in 11 municipalities, but the situation is most acute in densely populated areas and their surroundings – the municipalities of Rīga, Ādažu, Jūrmala, Ķekava, Olaine, Ogre, Salaspils, Mārupe, and Ropaži. The share of company-owned land is also higher here compared to other municipalities.
On roads this year
A map of state road repair works planned for this year has been published on the website of VSIA Latvijas Valsts ceļi (LVC): https://lvceli.lv/#_buvobjekti.
Construction work is planned on 640 kilometres of roads in the state network this year; most of the work will take place on regional roads, while surface renovation will be the most widely used technology. Works are planned this year on 111 kilometres of main state roads, 379 kilometres of regional roads, and 149 kilometres of local roads.
On updates in Rīga
Submit your neighbourhood development concept for urban environmental improvement by 31 May, and perhaps it will be your idea that gets implemented in your neighbourhood.
The concept for the improvement of Uzvaras Park provides for work to be carried out in two phases. In the first phase, it is planned to create a scenic area of the park covering 9 hectares by installing more than 100 new benches, placing children's play and exercise equipment, planting around 1,500 trees and shrubs, as well as other plants. Pedestrian and cycle paths with a total area of 9,100 square metres will be built in this part of the park, including a path for running. The park will also feature a unique new scenic skateboard track and a 1-kilometre long track for cross-country skiing and rollerblading.
On environmental issues
On 4 April 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a draft regulation* developed by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (VARAM) on the implementation of air pollution reduction measures by improving household heating systems. The draft regulation provides for the launch of a European Union (EU) fund-financed grant programme worth 12.44 million euros to reduce the negative impact of air pollution from heating equipment in Latvian cities.
The goal of the project is to reduce the negative impact of air pollution on the environment and human health by replacing combustion equipment used for heating in household residential buildings, improving the efficiency of individual heating systems, and introducing technologies that significantly reduce air pollution, including connecting residential houses to efficient urban central heating systems.
On 30 March, an inter-institutional meeting organised by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (VARAM) and AS “Latvenergo” took place in Ķegums regarding flood risks and their management and the improvement of system operations, also evaluating the threats of flood disasters and the actions of institutions in the city of Jēkabpils and its surroundings this January.
Minister Māris Sprindžuks: “During the meeting, we received disturbing news about an orange-level warning issued in the Augšdaugava Municipality on the banks of the Daugava downstream from Daugavpils. This shows how crucial the readiness of responsible authorities for emergency situations is and that it is necessary to learn from previous experience and appropriately develop the national civil protection plan. Very important insights have been gained during the meeting, which will help other municipalities, services, and involved parties.”
Among the physical risks of climate change, the risk of flooding has emerged as the most significant in Latvia in assessments conducted to date. Improved data availability allows for the assessment of flood risks at the level of individual loans and collateral.
...the importance of detailed species ecology studies, including to obtain data for the most accurate operation possible of the aforementioned models, was demonstrated by Daugavpils University entomologists Maksims Balalaikins and Uldis Valainis, who introduced the latest findings from studies on improving the survey methodology for three protected invertebrate species of European Union importance.
Rescuing toads is a simple but highly responsible action. Anyone can become a rescuer by choosing the most convenient of the 41 identified road sections where amphibian migration paths cross roads. Since toads move mainly a few hours after sunset (most intensely between 21:00 and 23:00), we invite children and young people under 18 to participate only under adult supervision.
On 31 March, the State Environmental Service (VVD), following a report from residents about possible illegal fishing in the Jugla Canal, opposite a boat garage cooperative on Kanāla iela, carried out observation of the body of water in question. Around 24:00, given that no individuals who might potentially be carrying out illegal fishing activities were observed, inspectors decided to inspect the area using a boat. While checking the area, a fishing net was snagged and removed, from which roach (approximately 100 kg) were released.
It seems that the main instrument that Latvia will actually use to achieve its set major climate goals is the National Energy and Climate Plan. Significantly, the Saeima Sustainable Development Committee also proposed reviewing the targets set in the plan as early as 11 January of this year, after familiarising itself with the implementation of this plan, reports the Saeima Press Service. “The ambitious Latvian development plan for economic transformation cannot be implemented without alignment with the Latvian National Energy and Climate Plan. Currently, that is not happening. There is a plan, but it is certainly improvable and needs clarification. Consequently, we do not even know how economic growth will be possible if we do not have clear rules of the game and an action plan related to climate requirements. This will very significantly affect resources, businesses, and society as a whole.”
In the bustle of spring birds by the Rīga Canal on Bastejkalns, black-headed gulls – small gulls with white bellies, grey wings, and black faces and tail tips – announce themselves with loud cries. Having flown in from wintering grounds in Western Europe, these waterbirds in Latvia are preparing for nesting.
Gull colonies also tend to settle deep inland; one of these places is Bērziņu pond in Vidzeme, in Veselava near Bērzkrogs. The judgment of the Vidzeme District Court is also linked to this, which will come into effect on 3 April if not appealed.
The Kurzeme District Court in Talsi has decided to punish businessman Raimonds Serdants for cutting down a 3.90-metre-wide majestic maple on his property. The court sentenced him to 180 hours of community service and a fine of 23,650 euros in favour of the state for it. The judgment can be appealed.
https://www.la.lv/air-baltic-luksusa-riki-un-doktore-greta
Already now, various companies, when conducting surveys about their reputation, highlight as one of the first questions whether, in people's opinion, they are sufficiently green. This is gradually replacing the need for a socially responsible company image – one that donates to charity and performs similar activities. Of course, that is still important, but the emphasis is already changing.
Already now, various companies, when conducting surveys about their reputation, highlight as one of the first questions whether, in people's opinion, they are sufficiently green. This is gradually replacing the need for a socially responsible company image – one that donates to charity and performs similar activities. Of course, that is still important, but the emphasis is already changing.
On topical and interesting matters (miscellaneous)
Russian special services will again pose the greatest threat to Latvia's national security this year and may focus their attention on public organisations, individual activists, and companies that have become involved in providing support to Ukraine, the service concluded.
Undermining international support for Ukraine is one of the priorities of Russian special services. This affects events on a broad level - the level of political decision-makers, in the military sector, as well as private individuals who organise or implement the provision of support.
The Finnish political tradition is also to form fragmented coalition governments. As the number of political forces involved in coalitions increased, including their priorities in the government's work programme resulted in long, fragmented, and difficult-to-manage documents with hundreds of goals and tasks. For example, in 2011, there were as many as 900 such tasks.
The government of Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipilä changed this approach in 2015 by agreeing on 26 cross-sectoral strategic goals in five policy areas and corresponding structural reforms. The implementation of these reforms was coordinated by a Government Strategy Department established under the Prime Minister's Office. A ministerial committee was created for the implementation of each strategic goal, which had to report regularly on progress. The Prime Minister's Office and the Government Strategy Department also regularly convened government “evening sessions” to address difficulties in an informal atmosphere or to adapt implementation tactics to real-life needs.
In July 2021, the Kalpaks Professional Secondary School opened its doors on the premises of the Kandava Agricultural Technical School. After the renovation and adaptation of the Rudbārži Manor building in the Skrunda Municipality for the needs of the school, classes will take place in Rudbārži, where the Mežaine military training ground is located nearby. Choosing this location also has symbolic significance, as the liberation of Latvia under the leadership of Colonel O. Kalpaks began from Rudbārži Manor on 3 March 1919, reports the LETA agency.
April smile