“EkVidO2” or “ECOLOGY. ENVIRONMENT. AIR” is the newly created name and brand for the SIA “Rīgas meži” environmental education centre and programme. They were unveiled on Thursday, 11 May, also introducing the wider public to special environmental education activities.
Chair of the “Rīgas meži” board, Anita Skudra, says: “We wanted the new name and brand to be precise, engaging and memorable. That is why it contains three concise words that characterise ‘Rīgas meži’, the company’s philosophy on environmental education and its content – ‘ECOLOGY. ENVIRONMENT. AIR’! Along with these innovations, we are also expanding our environmental education content and range of activities.”
The new brand and name are unique – they were created in-house and have been submitted to the Patent Office for registration. This ensures the trademark’s intellectual protection and exclusivity. Both the name and the brand have been developed in accordance with the updated “Rīgas meži” brand style guide.
At the heart of “EkVidO2” – the first Birdhouse Trail and a two-chamber birdhouse
With stories about various birds, their houses and the installation of new birdhouses, under the guidance of “Rīgas meži” nature and environmental protection specialist Edmunds Račinskis, the first Birdhouse Trail was also inaugurated. It is an educational route about a kilometre long in the forest surrounding the centre. The trail was created in cooperation with specialists from the Latvian Ornithological Society (LOB). It features houses intended for about 30 different bird species, as well as information about the flyers inhabiting them.
In cooperation with LOB, five new birdhouses were also installed during the walk – for the treecreeper, redstart/cuckoo, small cavity-nesters, and an experimental two-chamber birdhouse for the white wagtail/black redstart. The environmental education centre is one of the first places in Latvia to have such a unique two-chamber birdhouse.
In the future, the Birdhouse Trail is planned to be supplemented with various visual materials and other houses intended for birds.
The new Craft House, “Tree Stories” exhibition and historical publications on forestry
Alongside the unveiling of the new brand and name, the centre’s new Craft House was also opened, as well as its first exhibition, “Tree Stories”. The exhibition was created in cooperation with one of the centre’s partners and closest neighbours – the Ogre Music and Art School. Furthermore, young musicians from the school performed at the opening event.
Last year, a creative plein air for the school’s students took place at the centre. During this time, the young artists created the works on display – they depict the trees growing in the centre’s territory. It is planned that such creative plein airs will become an “EkVidO2” tradition, providing an opportunity for young artists to realise their creative ideas and exhibit their works on the centre’s premises.
The Craft House will host various environmental education activities, and there is also the opportunity to hold events and seminars.
About “EkVidO2”
The “Rīgas meži” environmental education centre and the “EkVidO2” programme (formerly known as “Green Classroom”) offer opportunities for interested persons of all ages to get to know and explore nature in an exciting way. Namely, various educational excursions in the forest, informative walks in Riga’s most significant parks, tree-planting campaigns, and other activities. This year, more than 5,000 people have already participated in “EkVidO2” environmental education activities, while last year there were about 3,500.
The “EkVidO2” team is grateful for the support and cooperation in the development and opening of the centre – first and foremost to colleagues at “Rīgas meži”, as well as the Latvian Ornithological Society, students and teachers of the Ogre Music and Art School – both artists and musicians, the Ogre Municipality, including the Building Authority and many others.
More about the environmental education centre “EkVidO2” and what it offers: https://rigasmezi.lv/lv/vides_izglitibas_programma_zala_klase/
“EkVidO2” is located in Tīnūži parish, near Ogre.