To ensure the swiftest possible recovery from the effects of the storm on the most popular nature tourism sites and trails within specially protected nature areas, the Nature Conservation Agency (the Agency) invites citizens and businesses to contribute financial support. Intensive work is currently underway to repair damage, focusing on the most severely affected natural areas popular with visitors, particularly the Gauja National Park. Agency staff are prioritising the clearing of trails and the felling of dangerous trees; however, the damage caused by the storm significantly exceeds the resources allocated for daily maintenance.
“Last year, we conducted a small survey specifically in Gauja National Park by posting calls for donations to gauge public willingness to participate in infrastructure maintenance. The data obtained confirmed what we intuitively felt – the desire of citizens and businesses to invest funds in maintaining comfortable, safe, and accessible infrastructure is truly high. Now that we are facing extensive storm damage, we invite people to actively make use of this donation opportunity. Not everyone has the chance to help with physical work in person, so a financial contribution is a vital form of support that will allow us to restore wooden boardwalks, stairs, bridges, and viewing platforms not only faster but also more sustainably,” emphasises Laura Anteina, Director General of the Agency.
The damage has affected sites across Latvia, including the beloved Līgatne Nature Trails and other locations in Gauja National Park. Therefore, citizens and businesses are invited to support both the restoration of specific popular sites and the reconstruction of infrastructure in other storm-affected protected nature areas.
Donations can be made to the Nature Conservation Agency’s donation account at the State Treasury – Recipient: Dabas aizsardzības pārvalde (Registration No. 90009099027), Account No. LV75TREL721078D000000. Donors have the option to specify a particular protected nature area in the payment reference (for example, “Donation for storm damage cleanup and infrastructure restoration in Gauja National Park”) to which the support is directed. The Agency will evaluate and prioritise the allocation of funds to those tourism sites where infrastructure restoration is most urgent.
Donors should note that donations for the promotion of environmental protection are not subject to the restrictions set out in the Law “On Prevention of Conflict of Interest in Activities of Public Officials”, provided that the total amount of donations made by the donor to the Agency within a calendar year does not exceed three minimum monthly wages (2340 EUR).
If the planned donation amount is higher, donors are invited to contact the Agency before making the donation by writing to pasts@daba.gov.lv or by calling +371 67509545.
The Agency will regularly inform the public on its website https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/ziedojumi-un-davinajumi about the use of the raised funds and the progress of infrastructure restoration.