Sector
https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/atgadinajums-zemes-ipasniekiem-ka-pieteikt-kompensacijas-par-saimnieciskas-darbibas-ierobezojumiem-ipasi-aizsargajamas-dabas-teritorijas
(...) applying for compensation for restrictions on economic activity in specially protected nature areas depends on where the property is located (...)
https://tv3.lv/zinas/latvija/neka-personiga/zinatnieki-kritize-zemkopibas-ministriju-par-mezu-datu-slepsanu/
The European Union has instructed member states to protect old (old-growth) forests, but has not set precise criteria. Each member state must do this itself.
https://sz.lv/kategorijas/projekti-ka-pieci-pirksti/raksti/73649-klimats-mainas-cilveku-riciba-nemainas
Another question – what forest-unfavourable decisions people have made and continue to make. We see that bark beetles cause damage to trees, and even small storms bring trees down. These are the consequences of human mistakes.
https://edruva.lv/sabiedriba/iepazist-norises-meza/
Everyone who likes and is interested in the forest was invited to the forest day in Priekuļi (...)
Forest News #30
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ILoFf8cP5o
https://bauskasdzive.lv/uznemejdarbiba/individuali-buvetas-modulu-majas/
House modules can be seen at various stages in the workshop – one has its wooden frame assembled, another is currently having its utilities and household networks installed, and yet another is having its windows and roof fitted. Both larger multi-module family houses and second storeys, which will eventually be placed on the first storey of a family house, are taking shape here.
Fire in the forest
https://tv3.lv/zinas/latvija/dienesti-cel-trauksmi-sausuma-del-sogad-daudz-meza-un-kulas-ugunsgreku/
Forests most often burn in Pierīga, around Jūrmala and in Daugavpils – that is, where there are the most people. The emergency services are therefore calling on people to observe fire safety when out in nature, including in seemingly safe places.
Worth knowing! About upcoming and current events
13-15 May international conference “Education, Innovation and Cooperation for the Future of the Regions” at Malnava College
https://www.lbtu.lv/lv/raksts/2026-02-03/starptautiska-konference-izglitiba-inovacijas-un-sadarbiba-regionu-nakotnei-lbtu
22 and 23 May “Latvian Forest Days”
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7854-latvijas-meza-dienas-tervete-notiks-22-un-23-maija
1 August Hunters' festival “Minhauzens 2026”
https://www.latma.lv/minhauzens-2026-koknese-mednieku-festivals-notiks-augusta-pirmaja-nedelas-nogale/
https://www.latma.lv/nebijis-notikums-minhauzens-2026-lidztekus-festivalam-notiks-ari-lmka-medibu-sunu-izstade/
Until 22 May, 10.00 a.m., open competition “Mechanised Forest Planting 2027-2029”
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7960-izsludinats-konkurss-masinizetas-meza-stadisanas-darbu-veiksanai-2027-2029-gada
Until 24 May in Rēzekne, exhibition “From Latvian Roots to World Peaks”
https://www.finieris.com/lv/latgales-vestnieciba-gors-skatama-izstade-par-koksnes-nozimi-bioekonomika-un-rupnicas-verems-attistibu/
Until 31 May exhibition “Peat. Getting Acquainted” at the Bauska Museum.
https://bauskasdzive.lv/kultura-un-izklaide/bauskas-muzeja-aplukojama-unikala-izstade-kudra-partapusi-makslas-darbos/
Until 31 May public engagement campaign “Become an Avenue Detective!”
https://kurzemesregions.lv/aprili-un-maija-aicinam-klut-par-aleju-detektiviem-kurzeme/
Until 26 July photo exhibition “My Bird 2026” at the Latvian National Museum of Natural History
https://www.varam.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/fotoizstade-mans-putns-2026
Baloži Peat Museum Railway excursions in 2026
https://kudrasbanitis.lv/lv/ekskursijas
Garden days and masterclasses at the Institute of Horticulture in 2026
https://fruittechcentre.eu/lv/article/2025-12-23/darza-dienas-un-meistarklases-darzkopibas-instituta-2026
Economy
https://www.makroekonomika.lv/blogi/sesas-temas-saeimas-ekonomikas-politikas-debatem
Modern economic policy has no purpose other than helping the country's residents climb the rungs of the Maslow pyramid , whose top rungs are creativity, happiness and the full realisation of one's own potential. The government cannot force everyone to become happy, because happiness involves freedom of choice.
https://www.db.lv/zinas/nelabveligie-apstakli-maz-ietekmejusi-lauksaimniecibas-zemes-tirgu-526324
Three years in which farmers have faced problems every year cannot be without consequences, since many harvested smaller yields, which produced lower incomes, while the scale of the obligations taken on remained the same.
https://bauskasdzive.lv/latvija-un-pasaule/zemgale-lauksaimniecibas-zeme-maksa-ap-6000-eiro-par-hektaru-bauskas-novada-hektars-notirgots-par-vairak-neka-15-000-eiro/
The most expensive deals in 2025 mostly took place in the Zemgale region – there the average transaction price was 6,389 euros per hectare. Judging by average transaction prices, the cheapest agricultural land in 2025 remained in Latgale, where the average transaction price was 3,045 euros per hectare.
Science
https://kki.lv/aktualitates/konference-btechpro2026-riga-un-sigulda-pulcesies-jaunie-zinatnieki-no-visas-pasaules
From 6 to 8 May, Riga and Sigulda will host, for the third time, the international young scientists' conference “BTechPro2026”, organised by the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry and dedicated to biorefining technologies and products.
https://www.silava.lv/aktualitates/kudra-un-klimats-izaicinajumi-un-risinajumi-latvija
(...) its extraction and use simultaneously generate greenhouse gas emissions and affect peatlands. This makes the sector one of the examples where economics, the environment and climate policy intersect.
https://www.medibam.lv/petijums-11-parazitu-sugas-lietuvas-zinatnieku-petijums-par-jenotsuna-lomu-sarkocistozes-izplatisana
(...) some of these parasites are linked to game animal species, for example members of the deer family and wild boar. However, the study also reveals a broader picture.
Hunting
https://www.medibam.lv/lidzsvars-kas-pats-neveidojas-ja-nemedi-lusus-slikti-bus-visiem
We have also often spoken about how, in Europe's altered landscape, the approach that nature will sort itself out does not always apply. Humans have long been a present factor in this system, and any non-intervention is also a decision with consequences.
Environment
https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/sabiedriskai-apspriesanai-nodod-jauno-aizsargajamo-juras-teritoriju-dabas-aizsardzibas-planu
The new version of the plan provides for transparent administrative oversight and implementation of the Marine Protected Areas, and the refined zoning will allow more effective protection of the most sensitive marine habitats, while preserving development opportunities for sustainable fisheries, tourism and recreation.
https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/dabas-aizsardzibas-parvalde-putnu-ligzdosanas-laika-aicina-ieverot-sezonalos-liegumus-babites-ezera
The restrictions apply to several parts of the lake, where any economic activity and movement is prohibited. The seasonal restricted zones on the lake are marked off with buoys, warning of a ban on further movement.
https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/no-1-maija-putnu-ligzdosanas-laika-ierobezos-parvietosanos-gaujas-grivas-kreisaja-krasta
The Gauja river mouth is a critically important home for several specially protected bird species, including common terns, common sandpipers and little ringed plovers. An important colony of little terns was also previously recorded here (...)
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/latvija/05.05.2026-ugunsgreku-rumbula-iespejams-izraisija-kada-kopa-ar-buvgruziem-izmesta-elektroniska-komponente.a645766/
(...) fires of this kind are often caused by an incomplete understanding of sorting habits, which means electronic devices and batteries often end up in household and construction waste, causing a short circuit that can start a fire.
The fight isn't over yet...
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/dzive-stils/vide-un-dzivnieki/06.05.2026-vidzemes-pasvaldibas-gatavojas-cinai-ar-spanijas-kailgliemeziem.a645710/
This year the question will be how to control Spanish slugs on cemetery grounds, since these invaders are very fond of cemetery plantings.
Noteworthy
https://lvportals.lv/viedokli/389186-4-maijs-ka-pedejais-bridis-cik-tuvu-latviesi-bija-klusanai-par-minoritati-sava-valsti-saruna-ar-vesturnieku-gati-kruminu-2026
Many countries did not recognise the annexation of the Baltic states by the USSR as lawful and pointed to human rights violations, but did not think to apply the concept of colonialism to it, except for a few academics from the Baltic states at Western universities.
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/latvija/01.05.2026-skola-kur-bernam-iemacis-est-ja-vajadzes-saruna-ar-mezupes-pamatskolas-direktori.a645354/
68 pupils attend the school, some of whom are also learning a trade. About a third also stay overnight at the school, while the municipal bus takes most of them home every day.
https://kodols.lv/viedokli/maris-zanders-viena-diena-zinu-lasitaja-dzive-201617
(...) personally, it increasingly seems to me sensible to choose one or two information sources you trust, and to leave the rest alone. The choice may be wrong, but flitting between many sources competing to scare you does not seem much better.
https://www.lsm.lv/burtnieku-vacietis
...this really is quite a unique case. I know of a few cases where Wehrmacht soldiers managed to escape Soviet captivity and reach Iran, where some of them also stayed to live. But as for living illegally within the Soviet Union itself – this is the first case I have encountered.
Current events in cartoons
https://www.diena.lv/raksts/diena-citi/karikaturista-skats/cope-bez-elektrotraumam-14351417
https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/karikatura/zime-gatis-sluka-ciposim-visus.41714
https://www.diena.lv/raksts/diena-citi/karikaturista-skats/motociklu-lidojums-14351300
https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/karikatura/zime-gatis-sluka-ludzu-ludzu-pec-velesanam.41839