Scientists at the Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava” have almost completed their five-year plan. The institute's director, Doctor of Forestry Sciences Jurģis Jansons, speaks about the work initiated, completed and planned by the institute.

What events make this year different for “Silava” compared to previous ones?

The year at the forest research institute has passed without any major changes. We have continued our work in six scientific areas and 27 sub-fields and domains, with the confidence that the Latvian forestry sector will continue to distinguish itself through intelligence, utilise scientific results and support the rationale behind the existence of the forest research institute. Over the past year, we have met many interesting people; we were pleased to host both the Minister of Agriculture Kaspars Gerhards and the President’s advisor on science, Ieva Siliņa. At the Latvian Forest Science Day in Jaunkalsnava, we received a letter of gratitude personally presented by the President of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, Ojārs Spārītis, for our work in the national research programme.