Worth knowing! On upcoming and current events
On 4 April, the LMSP Latvian Forest Programme 2025 seminar for hunters at the LVM Rietumvidzeme region customer centre in Valmiermuiža
https://www.zemeunvalsts.lv/lmsp-latvijas-meza-programmas-2025-seminars-medniekiem-valmiermuiza
An opportunity to register for the Open Forest Days events
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7345-piesakies-atverto-meza-dienu-pasakumiem
From 11 February to 30 April, an international exhibition of illustrators' work, "The Magic Forest", in the foyer of the Conference Centre of the National Library of Latvia
https://www.km.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/starptautiska-ilustraciju-izstade-magiskais-mezs
On the Līgatne nature trails, a new exhibition, "What Was Rustling in the Forest?", has been open since December
https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/ligatnes-dabas-takas-atklata-jauna-ekspozicija-kas-meza-brikskinaja
On 27-29 March, the 12th Baltic Theriological conference "Baltic mammals in the turbulence of anthropogenic tensions"
https://www.silava.lv/aktualitates/aicinam-piedalities-12-baltijas-teriologijas-konference
On 10-11 April, the 67th international scientific conference of Daugavpils University
https://du.lv/aktualitates/aicinam-pieteikties-daugavpils-universitates-67-starptautiskajai-zinatniskajai-konferencei/
On 10 April, the conference "Education with a purpose: curiosity → profession → employee"
https://www.valmierasnovads.lv/events/konference-izglitiba-ar-merki-zinatkare-%E2%86%92-profesija-%E2%86%92-darbinieks/
On 18 April, the international online conference Modern challenges and actual problems of forestry education, science and production
https://www.silava.lv/aktualitates/starptautiska-tiessaistes-konference-modern-challenges-and-actual-problems-of-forestry-education-science-and-production
On 25 April, "The Forest Comes to Jelgava"
https://www.zemeunvalsts.lv/aprili-rtu-notiks-baltijas-koka-buvniecibas-forums-2025
https://www.norden.org/en/news/nominations-are-now-open-nordic-council-environment-prize-2025
On 23 and 24 May, Latvian Forest Days 2025
https://latvijasmezadienas.lvm.lv/
On 20-22 August, the international scientific conference organised by the Institute of Horticulture, "Sustainable horticulture from plant to product: challenges in a temperate climate – 2025"
https://www.darzkopibasinstituts.lv/lv/conference
The State Forest Service reminds that a bark beetle mass outbreak situation has been declared in the forests of Latvia for 2025. From 1 April to 31 August, restrictions on economic activity will be in force in the designated protection zones of spruce stands. To curb the spread of the European spruce bark beetle, the State Forest Service has issued an order providing for the continuation of protective measures and restrictions on economic activity, much as was the case last year.
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7544-lvm-pirmie-latvija-sanem-pefc-red-ii-sertifikatu-par-ilgtspejigi-razotiem-energetiskas-koksnes-produktiem
Following the successful conclusion of the PEFC RED II certification audit, AS "Latvijas valsts meži" has obtained the first PEFC RED II certificate in Latvia (PEFC licence code: PEFC/12-31-005), confirming the company's ability to produce energy wood products sustainably and responsibly, and its commitment to continue doing so in future.
https://www.tvnet.lv/8217627/partraukts-konkurss-uz-latvijas-valsts-mezu-padomes-loceklu-amatiem
The ministry explained that the competition had been suspended because LVM is currently undergoing structural changes, including the refinement of information on the company's strategy, objectives and challenges. The requirements set for candidates for membership of the supervisory board therefore need to be updated to include the competencies and professional experience required in light of the changes made at the company.
https://www.zemeunvalsts.lv/investejot-5-5-miljonus-eiro-stiga-rm-atsak-daudzdzivoklu-majas
One of Latvia's leading timber sector companies, "Stiga RM", will resume construction of a five-storey block of flats in Kuldīga in April. The 4800 square metre building will house 65 flats, intended mainly for the company's employees and their families.
https://nra.lv/neatkariga/komentari/bens-latkovskis/486460-dabas-draugi-ka-dabas-vides-zalas-domasanas-kaitnieki.htm
In all these spheres the main battle ostensibly takes place on scientific ground, but in reality it is purely emotional, in the realm of public opinion. On one side are serious scientists and practitioners who have studied the question in question at length and from every angle (the Latvian State Forest Research Institute "Silava"), while on the other side are eccentric scientists (the most striking example being Viesturs Ķerus), who gather around themselves crowds of overexcited supporters drawn from the easily influenced "refined" urban public.
https://retalsi.lv/mezkopis-lauris-kemlers-ta-top-jauns-mezs/
This is the alternative treatment; it does no harm to the surrounding environment or to other organisms, and it is one form of protection specifically against the weevil. If we plant pine, we also treat it with a repellent in early spring and in autumn...
https://vs.lv/raksts/ekonomika/2025/03/26/advokate-mezu-ipasniekiem-nav-vairs-valstij-jamaksa-dubulta-video
From now on, applications for the calculation of compensation must be submitted to the State Forest Service by the party proposing the deforestation, rather than by the authority that takes the decision to permit the activity. This speeds up the compensation calculation process. Another important change is that the sketch of the area to be deforested no longer has to be drawn up by a certified surveyor and may also be prepared by construction specialists.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yLkFjjZLYI&t=2s
Mangy wolves, the spread of jackals and other fearless predators
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV7VPO2OJvQ
The voices of witches, the ravages of the plague, and wolves prowling near the homesteads
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLMlu9b1gso
A fight to the death with a lynx, wolves trying to attack people, and enormous herds of deer
Official news
https://www.zm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/armands-krauze-eiropas-savienibas-lauksaimniecibas-un-partikas-nakotnes-politikai-vajadziga-vienkarsosana-un-atbilstoss-finansejums
..we will only be able to achieve this if we jointly carry out a fundamental simplification of policy and secure financial resources commensurate with the objectives set. That includes recognising the strategic importance of the eastern regions of the European Union, especially the areas bordering Russia and Belarus, and the need to support them.
https://www.zm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/no-atveselosanas-fonda-lidzekliem-veiks-vairak-pretpludu-pasakumu-neka-planots-ieprieks
Maintaining and restoring drainage systems of national importance to good condition is a very important task, since day to day it protects thousands of the regions' residents, farmers and businesspeople from flooding, along with their sowings, plantings and forest land, the buildings, machinery and holdings they own, roads, bridges and other infrastructure. This is particularly pressing at a time of climate change, when intense rainfall can occur within a short space of time and increase flood risks.
https://www.zm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/latvija-un-ukraina-vienojas-par-tirdzniecibas-aktivizaciju-ar-mezsaimniecibas-lauksaimniecibas-un-partikas-produkciju
The meeting covered trade between Latvia and Ukraine in forestry, agricultural and food products, focusing on difficulties in trade and looking for possible solutions.
On the economy
https://www.leta.lv/home/important/230D947A-8596-40D9-9AB9-C6F61B86BE89/
Latvia's consolidated general budget balance showed a deficit of 0.2% of forecast gross domestic product (GDP), or 68.1 million euros, at the end of February this year, according to information published by the Fiscal Discipline Council (FDP). A year earlier, in the same period, the general budget balance showed a surplus of 0.5% of GDP, or 180.9 million euros.
One hand knows, the other does not...
https://www.zemeunvalsts.lv/neraugoties-uz-skaliem-solijumiem-lidz-2027-gadam-atteikties-no
Reducing dependence on Russian fossil resources "on paper" remains one of the EU's key priorities. Yet the European Commission has already twice postponed the long-promised plan for phasing out that dependence, most recently this month.
https://www.zemeunvalsts.lv/par-akciju-beidzam-barot-laci-apkopojums
I believe that not enough is being done to achieve this goal — trade with Russia still continues, and transit of sanctioned goods through Russia is still taking place (according to Customs Board data, around 60% of this transit never reaches its destination and remains in Russia). With such an attitude and such conduct, we are strengthening our enemy.
Abroad
The Finnish government led by Petteri Orpo agreed last week on the criteria to be applied to old-growth forest stands, as well as on how a semi-natural forest is to be defined in Finland. On state-owned land, forests meeting the criteria will be protected; in private forests, protection will continue on a voluntary basis through the Metso programme.
https://www.zemeunvalsts.lv/atskiribas-pat-gadu-desmitos-somija-un-zviedrija-vecie-mezi-tiek
Sweden's forests are considered old several decades later than Finland's forests. That will be the case if the old-growth forest criteria proposed by the Swedish Forest Agency (Skogsstyrelsen) are approved.
https://www.zemeunvalsts.lv/indonezijas-oglekla-tirgus-nakamaja-dekade-sasniegs-4-miljardus-dolaru-apjomu-gada
Indonesia, where forests cover more than 120 million hectares, could become home to one of the world's largest carbon markets.
On 10 April, Valmiera will host the national conference "Education with a purpose: curiosity → profession → employee", bringing together businesspeople, education experts and representatives of central and local government to discuss the quality of education, its links with the needs of the economy, and lifelong development of knowledge.
Environmental matters
https://www.vaad.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/atsacies-vaad-kaitigo-organismu-izplatibas-monitorings
After a warm and short winter, an early spring has arrived, and the forecasting specialists of the State Plant Protection Service have already resumed monitoring the emergence and spread of harmful plant organisms throughout Latvia.
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7549-kas-dzivo-si-gada-dzivotne-mala
Which plants and animals inhabit edges? For example, the contact zone between forest edge and grassland is favoured by the small mammals that live in grasslands, since here it is safer to hide from birds of prey and from the machinery used in managing various grasslands.
https://zz.lv/jelgava-arvien-biezak-paradas-nelegalie-atkritumi/
...last year the municipal police recorded 32 cases of waste being dumped in a place not intended for it. In seven of these the case was closed, while in 25 cases the administrative case was referred to the Administrative Commission of Jelgava City Council for a final decision.
https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/apstiprinats-aizsargajamo-ainavu-apvidus-augsdaugava-dabas-aizsardzibas-plans
The nature conservation plan has been drawn up in order to reconcile the interests of nature conservation, the use of natural resources, landscape and cultural history, and regional development. The plan sets out long-term and short-term objectives, brings together proposals for the protection of species and habitats, and includes a management action plan for the specially protected nature territory.
https://www.tvnet.lv/8218423/lusis-komente-beidzot-klimata-celvedis-izdots-latgaliesu-valoda-bet-kada-velna-pec
I remembered this dose of morning cheer when, in the depths of the internet, I spotted a news item — "Zaļā brīvība" is publishing a climate guide in Latgalian and inviting people to a discussion in Daugavpils. A climate guide in Latgalian! Now there is money well spent, isn't it?
https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/aicina-pieteikties-brivpratigos-krupju-glabejus
At present, 51 stretches of road on Latvia's highways have been identified where amphibians migrate actively every year and, sadly, a large proportion of them are killed. Volunteers are invited to choose one of 24 stretches of road in Vidzeme, 15 in Kurzeme, 7 in Latgale and 5 in Zemgale to carry out the mission.
https://www.kem.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/ridziniekiem-nodrosinatas-plasas-un-modernas-atkritumu-skirosanas-iespejas
Latvia's most modern waste sorting site has opened in Rīga, which will make sorting waste considerably easier and simpler for the capital's residents, both private individuals and businesses.
https://edruva.lv/dzives-stils/zaube-no-celiem-lidz-vejam/
The local authority had prepared an outline of its requirements to be included in assessing the environmental impact of the wind farms planned in Zaube and the surrounding parishes. A couple of weeks ago in neighbouring Nītaure, at the initial public consultation on the environmental impact assessment held by the project developer, residents were indignant and objected loudly to the construction of the wind farm, but in Zaube there was little discussion of it.
On hunting
https://www.vmd.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/tiessaiste-iespejams-iegadaties-mednieku-sezonas-kartes-nakamajai-medibu-sezonai-0
In the State Forest Service information system Forest State Register it is possible to buy hunters' season permits for the coming 2025/2026 hunting season, which begins on 1 April.
This and that, or what now?
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/latvija/23.03.2025-latvija-palaiz-garam-450-kilogramus-heroina-vid-sak-dienesta-parbaudi-precizets.a592632/
The Latvian Customs Board also received information about a shipment of several hundred kilograms of heroin entering the European Union. It does not comment on the specific risk information, but it may be inferred that the information was clear enough to act on. Customs stresses that the shipment did not cross Latvia's external border, that is, the border with Russia or Belarus, where the customs service operates.
https://www.la.lv/romans-melniks-valsts-parvalde-tendeta-izdomat-sev-aizvien-jaunus-darbus-tas-nozime-papildu-papiru-kartosanu-nodoklu-maksatajiem
Because it looks as though, on the part of the decision-makers, the only one with an interest in moving this process forward is the Prime Minister herself, who has now become a hostage to the topic — she announced it far and wide herself, so of course it is from her that results will be demanded.
The topical in cartoons
https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/karikatura/zime-gatis-sluka-lieldienu-psihologa-konsultacija.26429
https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/karikatura/zime-romans-vitkovskis-par-vienu-darba-grupu-vairak.26540
https://www.diena.lv/raksts/diena-citi/karikaturista-skats/ezitis-un-kula-14333381
https://www.diena.lv/raksts/diena-citi/karikaturista-skats/launags-pirmaja-vieta-14333412
https://www.diena.lv/raksts/diena-citi/karikaturista-skats/azarts-ar-azartspelem-14333601