Through the LatViaNature project, the Nature Conservation Agency invites the public to take part in a survey until 31 October, to establish attitudes, knowledge and understanding of biodiversity conservation and nature protection in Latvia, as well as the most important aspects of recreation and travel in nature. The survey can be completed online and its results will be used to improve nature conservation policy, nature management and nature education.
The survey questionnaire can be filled in online until 31 October. The survey is anonymous and takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. All information obtained will be used only in aggregated form and will provide researchers with valuable data. The survey itself, along with the compilation and analysis of the results, will be carried out by one of the LatViaNature project partners – Vidzemes Augstskola.
“Nature is a value belonging to society as a whole, one that underpins a sustainable future, human well-being and a healthy economy. Preserving and protecting it is in our shared interest. Given that Latvia's nature conservation system has developed historically in stages and in a fragmented way, there is room for improvement in it, as well as scope for development. Public opinion allows us to move towards a nature conservation system in Latvia that functions well, is scientifically grounded, stable and comprehensible to everyone, and so I encourage everyone to take part in the survey,” says Andris Širovs, acting Director General of the Nature Conservation Agency.
From 1 September to 31 October, face-to-face surveys will be conducted in parallel, deliberately reaching the necessary population groups so that the results represent the views of society as a whole. The survey data will be compiled by April 2025, with publication of the data planned for June next year.
The survey results will be passed on to those who shape national nature conservation policy and used to plan and act more effectively in preserving natural assets, including in management and public education.
The survey is being carried out as part of the LIFE integrated project LatViaNature, implemented by the Nature Conservation Agency. Over the course of the project, public opinion is being surveyed three times – in 2021, in 2024 and in 2028.
Unlike the survey at the start of the project, this year a survey of foreign tourists is being carried out alongside the survey of Latvian residents, with the aim of establishing their experiences of recreation and travel in nature in Latvia.
“We encourage you to share this questionnaire with your friends, acquaintances and colleagues abroad who have visited Latvia and been outside the cities over the past year,” says Andris Širovs.
Vidzemes Augstskola, which is carrying out this survey, has built up experience in conducting surveys both in State Research Programme projects and international projects, and in surveying residents and businesses in Latvia.