To preserve natural assets and enhance biodiversity, the Rural Support Service of Latvia (LLKC), in cooperation with Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences and the Nature Conservation Agency, is launching research into the needs of private landowners regarding the types of support required to preserve natural values in private forests and grasslands. The survey of opinions will be conducted within the framework of the LIFE Integrated Project LatViaNature.

Raimonds Bērmanis, Director of the Forest Consultation Service Centre at LLKC: “When deciding on actions that will affect the management of forests and land, it is absolutely essential to involve the owners of these lands. The structure of forest ownership changes over time through inheritance or the acquisition of new forest areas, and forest management is also influenced by climate change and shifting public opinion, which in turn leads to new perspectives on forest management methods among forest owners.”

We invite forest owners whose forests are located in specially protected nature areas and those whose forests contain habitats of EU importance to take part in the survey on forests. The survey includes questions about compensation for restrictions on economic activity, motivational measures, the necessary support for preserving natural assets, and previous forest management practices. The scope of questions also covers attitudes towards restrictions on economic activity and the natural values found in the forest. The questionnaire will be provided by consultants from the LLKC Forest Consultation Service Centre, and it is also available to fill out online: https://bit.ly/aptauja_meži

For the grassland survey, we invite grassland owners who own grassland with high or potentially high biodiversity – including both long-term extensively used grasslands and grassland habitats of EU importance – to share their views. The survey for grassland owners includes questions about past grassland management practices, costs, the support required to maintain grasslands, and cooperation with other landowners. The questionnaire is available here: https://bit.ly/aptauja_zālāji