Industry
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/8050-atjaunota-lvm-geo-lietotnes-darbiba
The app once again offers a wide range of background maps, as well as information on forest stands, LVM forest roads and tourism sites.
https://www.vmd.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/pilnveidots-e-pakalpojumu-portals-meza-ipasnieku-ertibam
The new e-service allows the entire application preparation and submission process to be completed remotely, without visiting a State Forest Service customer service point. This reduces the administrative burden and saves clients’ time.
https://db.lv/zinas/mezu-ieaudzesanu-un-atjaunosanu-veldze-eiropas-nauda
Several reasons are cited for why forest owners have been motivated to replant forests – the rising real estate tax, and the understanding that forest land, like agricultural land, is a means of production that should be used as efficiently as possible (...)
https://db.lv/zinas/iegutas-koksnes-apjoms-saruk
(...) it should be borne in mind that very high timber purchase prices occurred some time ago, and so, purely psychologically, some private forest owners are hoping that history will repeat itself, and are therefore waiting.
https://kodols.lv/projekti/zala-nakotne/mezzinatnu-doktors-jurgis-jansons-mezam-cilveks-nav-vajadzigs-cilvekiem-vajag-mezu-203404
(...) forest health is often influenced more by management strategy than by climate. In his view, outdated regulations and decisions that are not made in time, or are made incorrectly, can pose far greater risks than climate change.
https://edruva.lv/dzives-stils/ar-lepnumu-par-katru-darbinieku/
(...) the company produces not only garden furniture but also various accessories for it, such as flowerpots and pergolas, as well as fences.
https://kodols.lv/zinas/pasvaldibas/ar-cirvi-uz-mezu-jurmala-vares-tikt-pie-malkas-jauna-veida-tacu-tas-nebus-par-velti-203470
According to the head of the Forestry Department, the law prohibits the municipality from giving these trees to residents free of charge.
Worth knowing! About upcoming and current events
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/
1 August commemorative event “The Sermon at Piņķi Church – 110 Years”
https://kodols.lv/dzive-un-ticiba/vvvv-203326
7 August hay-making volunteer day in the fen near Lake Kaņieris
https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/dabas-draugi-aicinati-uz-vakara-talku-kaniera-ezera-zalu-purva
3 December Conference on innovative science-based solutions for soil improvement in agriculture, crop farming and horticulture
https://kki.lv/aktualitates/konference-kas-2026-gada-izskana-pulces-lauku-atbalsta-dienesta-administretos-petijumus
Until 10 August public consultation on the “stress test” of the EU Birds and Habitats Directives
https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/18072-Birds-and-Habitats-Directives-stress-test/public-consultation_lv
Until 15 September we are looking for the European Tree of the Year in Latvia (a tree with a story)
https://www.zemeunvalsts.lv/eiropas-gada-koks-latvija-2026-meklejam-koku-ar-stastu
Until 30 September we invite you to vote in the first European wood architecture award, “WoodPoP Dara Award 2026”
https://www.zemeunvalsts.lv/kokaudzetava-zabaki-pretende-uz-eiropas-meroga-atzinibu-nobalso
Baložu 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
All year National Botanic Garden anniversary event series “Nature in the Garden”
https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/nacionalais-botaniskais-darzs-70-jubilejas-gada-katru-menesi-aicina-uz-aizraujosiem-pasakumiem
Officially
https://www.zm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/zemkopibas-ministrijas-butiskakais-veikums-valdibas-pirmajos-divos-menesos
(...) decisions with clear and tangible benefits for people and businesses – reducing bureaucracy, strengthening the competitiveness of farmers and fishermen, ensuring food security and availability, promoting investment and innovation, and defending Latvia’s interests in Europe.
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/8044-izsludinats-konkurss-mezkopibas-darbu-veiksanai-2027-2028-gada
Tender submissions must be made through the Electronic Procurement System by 10:00 on 18 August.
Survey
https://www.silava.lv/aktualitates/lvmi-silava-aicina-piedalities-aptauja-par-medijamo-dzivnieku-populaciju-parvaldibu
(...) a survey of hunters, forest owners and managers, farmers and other interested parties, for the Methodology for Assessing the Status of Game Animal Populations and Draft Guidelines for the Adaptive Management of Limited-Quota Game Populations in Favourable Conservation Status study.
Job vacancies
https://www.darzkopibasinstituts.lv/lv/raksts/2026-07-01/izsludinats-atklats-konkurss-uz-darzkopibas-instituta-direktora-es-amatu
An open competition has been announced for the position of Director of the Institute of Horticulture. We are looking for a visionary, open-minded and strategically thinking leader who wants to shape the future development of the Institute of Horticulture, strengthen its scientific excellence and international cooperation, promote innovation, and foster an environment in which people can grow professionally and achieve outstanding results.
https://www.lbtu.lv/en/darba_piedavajumi/view_item/4557
Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) is announcing an open competition for the position of Dean of the Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences (for a fixed term of 5 years from the date of appointment).
Economy
https://db.lv/zinas/zemes-apsaimniekotajus-biede-nezinama-nakotne
The draft National Nature Restoration Plan is Latvia’s strategic document, drawn up to implement the EU Nature Restoration Regulation. The Nature Restoration Regulation requires that a draft of such a plan be submitted to the European Commission by 1 September 2026.
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/ekonomika/30.07.2026-valdiba-pilnvaro-valsts-kasi-parstavet-latviju-airbaltic-obligaciju-turetaju-sapulce.a656929/
One of the key conditions in talks with potential investors will be: the government retains its previous position – Riga must remain airBaltic’s home base, while the state must retain at least 25% of shares plus one additional share.
https://www.zm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/zemes-iegades-kreditesanas-programma-14-gadu-laika-lauksaimnieki-iegadajusies-654-tukstosus-hektaru-lauksaimniecibas-zemes
The main benefit of the programme – farms gain the opportunity to develop production, resulting in a wide range of Latvian-produced food being available to the public at competitive prices in everyday life.
Education
https://du.lv/aktualitates/daugavpils-universitates-jauna-padome-sakusi-darbu/
The work of Daugavpils University’s council will focus on promoting the university’s sustainable development, strengthening financial sustainability and risk management, and ensuring responsible budget planning, efficient use of resources and the development of opportunities to attract external funding.
https://www.silava.lv/aktualitates/par-lvmi-silava-dalibu-lbtu-padomes-atlase
The institutional status of independent scientific institutes denies them the opportunity to take part directly in the study process, since universities are self-sufficient. We believe that participation on a university council is an institutional, if modest, opportunity to dispel the myth of this self-sufficiency.
https://www.lbtu.lv/lv/raksts/2026-07-23/no-dabas-aizsardzibas-lidz-biznesa-planosanai-altas-eglinas-pieredzes-stasts-par
(...) in the forest sector, you have to think long-term. Decisions made today affect the next generation. The chance to combine an interest in nature with work in a sector that matters for Latvia confirms to her that she made the right choice of studies.
Science
https://www.lbtu.lv/lv/raksts/2026-07-30/parakstits-ligums-par-valsts-petijumu-programmas-lauksaimniecibas-un-meza-resursu
The aim of the project is to develop knowledge and create scientifically grounded, innovative solutions to strengthen Latvia’s food system, improving its sustainability and competitiveness, and thereby increasing the country’s resilience to crises and external risks.
https://kki.lv/aktualitates/par-zinatni-drosmi-un-zinatkari-laura-andze-intervija-izdevumam-bnn-quarterly
No less important are Laura’s reflections on how a scientist thinks. She encourages people not to be afraid of unconventional solutions, to keep their curiosity, and to choose research questions that genuinely excite them. As Laura herself admits, curiosity is the most sustainable source of motivation in science.
https://www.lza.lv/aktualitates/jaunumi/2607-solveiga-krumina-konkova-populisms-var-no-zinatnes-aizslaucit-daudz-vertiga-zinatnes-vestnesis
I like the idea of religious cultures put forward by religion researcher Agita Misāne, in which different religious cultures are like clouds that move, change and overlap. In reality, there is no such thing in Latvia as, say, a pure Christian culture.
At last!!!!
https://www.sam.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/pasvaldibas-lidz-1-augustam-aicinatas-pieteikties-valsts-lidzfinansejumam-pilsetu-tranzita-ielu-atjaunosanai-un-parbuvei
State co-financing is granted in two forms – 75% of construction costs for renewing the wearing course of the carriageway and its elements, without changing the existing street configuration and layout, and 50% of construction costs for reconstructing urban transit streets or bridges, including author’s supervision and construction supervision.
Still bears
https://www.silava.lv/aktualitates/raidieraksta-koksnes-gadsimts-par-lielajiem-plesejiem-un-cilveka-lidzaspastavesanu-ar-savvalu
(...) the focus is on bears, wolves and lynx – Latvia’s largest predators – their role in nature, and the question of how people can coexist with them peacefully, sensibly and without unnecessary panic.
https://www.medibam.lv/video-lacus-izsvepet-no-latvijas-nevar-tas-ir-sabiedribas-drosibas-jautajums
The effectiveness of pepper spray depends on the situation and the circumstances of the attack, but one of the main points to stress is that pepper spray does not kill a bear, it repels it (...)
Environment
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/8054-hidrologiskais-monitorings-palidzes-novertet-lvm-veikto-purvu-atjaunosanas-darbu-sekmes
The data collected is regularly analysed so that, from the very first results, the hydrological conditions of each area can be better understood and the working methodology adjusted as needed.
https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/zemes-ipasniekus-aicina-informet-par-attistibas-iecerem-sliteres-nacionalaja-parka
The new nature protection plan will set the directions for managing and developing the area in the coming years. During its preparation, the area’s current condition is being assessed and future measures are being planned for preserving natural values, using natural resources, protecting species and habitats, and ensuring the region’s sustainable development.
https://rigasmezi.lv/jaunumi/baltijas-puku-dobju-festivala-riga-triumfe-operas-svera-dobe
In the public vote, the audience favourite award went to the summer flowerbed in Uzvaras Park, at the junction of Slokas iela and Uzvaras bulvāris, which symbolically depicts the Daugava.
https://lat.bb.lv/raksts/musu-latvija/2026/07/29/jelgavas-pasvaldiba-noskaidrojusi-driksas-piesarnojuma-avotu-un-pieprasa-segt-upes-attirisanas-izdevumus-107803
Using the city’s stormwater drainage network diagrams, specialists managed to identify the likely source of the pollution.
https://jauns.lv/raksts/zinas/721268-reagejot-uz-publiski-izskanejuso-informaciju-jelgavas-novada-pasvaldiba-aicina-iedzivotajus-neizmantot-kalnciema-diki
Responding promptly to the information received, municipal specialists have taken water samples for analysis, while situation monitoring and active communication with experts in the field are also underway (...)
Award
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/8052-balvu-jaunaudze-sogad-sanem-autori-par-aspratigu-berna-redzejuma-attelojumu
The poet’s engaging wordplay and vivid imagery are beautifully complemented by the illustrations, which broaden the scope for interpreting the poems and appeal to readers of different ages and backgrounds.
Miscellaneous
https://kodols.lv/zinas/vide/cer-uz-80-tukstosiem-interesentu-gada-getlini-eko-buves-baltija-unikalu-izglitibas-centru-203477
The new public education centre is envisaged as a modern, interactive environment accessible to all age groups, where visitors will be able to learn about the principles of the circular economy, waste management processes (...)
Current affairs in cartoons
https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/karikatura/zime-gatis-sluka-pats-ieput.45581
https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/karikatura/zime-gatis-sluka-varbut-sadu-dizainu.45464
https://diena.lv/raksts/viedokli/karikaturista-skats/jaunais-veikals-mere
https://diena.lv/raksts/viedokli/karikaturista-skats/aizliegtais-dzems