On 29 October, the 11th international conference of the Forest Certification Council of Latvia (LMSP) entitled “Environment and Sustainable Forest and Land Management – Current Solutions” will take place at the LBTU Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences
lmsp.lv

Industry

Initial estimates of the volume of damaged timber following the severe storm on 22 August have increased significantly within a few days.db.lv

A total of 300,000 loose m³ of wood chips are available across all regions of Latvia, from which approximately 255,000 MWh (megawatt-hours) of heat energy can be produced.lvm.lv

A forecast of storm damage is now available for the entire territory of Latvia, and the data can also be used by others, including small-scale forest managers and owners.lvm.lv

Every year, especially during the autumn season in August and September, we receive daily reports of people who have got lost in the forest and are unable to find their way out on their own.lsm.lv

Residents of Aizkraukle Municipality will henceforth be able to collect logging residues free of charge in clear-cut areas owned by the municipality, provided they have obtained a permit from the local authority, according to information on the municipality's website.staburags.lv

Worth knowing! On upcoming and current events

29 October: the 11th international conference of the LMSP, “Environment and Sustainable Forest and Land Management – Current Solutions”. At the LBTU Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences

lmsp.lv

15 and 16 September: Annual 22nd “Northern European Network for Wood Science and Engineering” conference (WSE 2026)sites.google.com

19 September: Autumn Seedling Parade in Sigulda
zemeunvalsts.lv · rudens stadu parade sigulda rudens skaistakie stadi un tiksa…

26 September: “Forest Comes to Jelgava 2026”lbtu.lv

8 October: Forest Industry Dayinovacijas.lu.lv

3 December: Conference on innovative, science-based solutions for soil improvement in agriculture, crop production, and horticulturekki.lv

By 15 September, we are looking for Europe's Tree of the Year in Latvia (a tree with a story)zemeunvalsts.lv

By 30 September, we invite you to take part in the vote for the first European wood architecture award, “WoodPoP Dara Award 2026”zemeunvalsts.lv

Baloži Peat Museum Railway excursions in 2026kudrasbanitis.lv

Garden days and masterclasses at the Institute of Horticulture in 2026fruittechcentre.eu

All year round: National Botanic Garden anniversary event series “Nature in the Garden”daba.gov.lv

Official

Farmers whose land has been affected by heavy rain, storms, or flooding and who, as a result, cannot fulfil certain support conditions, will retain their eligibility for the claimed support if they inform the Rural Support Service (LAD) of the affected areas and the situation in a timely manner.zm.gov.lv

Economy

Latvijas Banka has become embroiled in a major conflict with representatives of farmers, fishermen, and foresters, which has now resulted in a public letter from these sectors to the President and the government calling for an evaluation of the operations and competence of Latvijas Banka.lasi.lv

Recently, one incident has followed another, indicating that the lack of accountability has reached critical proportions.tvnet.lv

(...) until now, peat has most often been associated with horticulture or energy, but modern materials science is opening up entirely new possibilities for its use.db.lv

“Ezernieki” is situated in a forest setting on the shore of Lake Sala, with a large, well-maintained area and diverse leisure opportunities.lvm.lv

Science

Public voting for the European Commission's “RegioStars 2026” competition finalists has begun! We invite you to support the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LVKĶI) project “Birch Bark – Latvia's Green Gold” and vote for it by 12.00 on 14 October at this link, selecting category 2: “A GREEN EUROPE”.kki.lv

Following forest monitoring data, researchers point out that optimism regarding forest resource forecasts is changing due to active thinning operations.lasi.lv

Environment and storm

Approximately 60 addresses have been identified in street plantings where work is needed on storm-damaged trees. The costs are currently estimated at around 30,000 euros. Inspections are continuing.diena.lv

Environment and improvements

Initially, the project is being implemented in Skanste Park, Vērmanes Garden, Mežaparks, Uzvaras Park, and Nordeķu Park.rigasmezi.lv

(...) a walk in the park becomes a journey through time. Together with a “Rīgas meži” guide, students go on an expedition through one of Riga's historic parks – Vērmanes Garden, Ziedoņdārzs, Kronvalda Park, Arkādija Park, or the Esplanade.rigasmezi.lv

Environment and hunters

As part of the project, a 2.1-hectare degraded area has also been ecologically restored. It previously belonged to a state agricultural enterprise but was later used for many years as an illegal landfill.latma.lv

According to the 2026 report of the Estonian Environment Agency, the bear population continues to increase. In 2025, at least 98 female bears with cubs born that year were registered, and the total population size is estimated at at least 1,100 individuals.latma.lv

Environment and pests

The pest originates from Japan, but over the last century, it has significantly expanded its range.vaad.gov.lv

In Jelgava, the spread of Japanese knotweed has been detected in several areas of the city, particularly near infrastructure and traffic hubs.apollo.lv

Environment and people

Already last year, we carried out a small study in the Gauja National Park by placing appeals for donations to find out the public's willingness to contribute to infrastructure maintenance.daba.gov.lv

(...) piles of apples, pears, carrots, beetroot, pumpkins, potatoes, vegetable tops, and other crops dumped in the forest act as a powerful food attractant (...)daba.gov.lv

In response to the appeal for help in identifying and repairing storm damage to the more than 117 km long network of trails in the Gauja National Park, the response has been great, with over 130 volunteers signing up.varam.gov.lv

If sea ice does not form or is blown away, it is harder to travel by dog sled and hunt. Inuit survival depends directly on this, as they subsist largely on what they hunt.diena.lv

Mires

In the eastern part of the Great Ķemeri Bog, ditches remain from the peat extraction that took place in the second half of the 20th century, through which water still drains from the bog.varam.gov.lv

(...) this was the second summer in a row that was very wet, with plenty of rain and not such high temperatures. Of course, growers have their own challenge in fighting disease.lsm.lv

One day of peace on the roads

(...) regional public transport carriers, with whom ten-year long-term contracts have been signed, will stop providing state-commissioned public transport services for one day on 16 September.bauskasdzive.lv

What a summer that was!

The average wind speed in Latvia in the summer of 2026 was 2.8 m/s, which is 0.2 m/s above the seasonal norm. June, with an average wind speed of 2.5 m/s, was 0.2 m/s less windy than normal, while July and August, at 2.9 and 3.0 m/s, were 0.4 and 0.5 m/s windier than usual.klimats.meteo.lv

Schooling

As a business manager, I see that the long summer break affects not only families but also the work environment. Parents work remotely more often during the school holiday period because their children are at home.delfi.lv

History

Oaks from the forests around Rudbārži were also used in the construction of the Kalpaks Museum. The O. Kalpaks Museum has managed to survive both the Soviet years and fires; it has been able to rebuild itself and continues to operate, welcoming visitors and improving.lsm.lv

The renovated Kangari station premises will be ceremonially opened to visitors on 11 September at 19.00. The event will offer an opportunity to learn more about the work done so far and the station's path to restoration.kodols.lv

Entertainment. Official

The issue of the impact of municipal cultural and entertainment events on the activities of private event organisers has been raised in recent years during inter-institutional discussions, which have also been attended by representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (VARAM). The Competition Council has developed guidelines on competitive neutrality.bauskasdzive.lv

AKKA/LAA data for the 2024 commercial radio sector show that Latvian authors received 64,523 euros, while foreign authors received 240,645 euros. Thus, for every one euro paid to Latvian authors, 3.73 euros were paid to foreign authors (...)jauns.lv

Current events in cartoons

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