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LVM Gets Involved in the Improvement of the Latvian Nature Protection System

In the photo: Roberts Strīpnieks, President of JSC “Latvia's State Forests”

JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) in cooperation with the Nature Protection Board and eight other state and non-governmental sector organizations, as well as four higher education institutions will implement a joint project “Optimization of Natura 2000 Protected Areas Management” or LIFE-IP LatViaNature, which is to take place from 2021 to 2028.

The project aims at developing innovative approaches to address topical nature protection issues and implementing the priority action programme for Natura 2000 sites, thus ensuring a favourable conservation status of habitats and species of European Union significance in Latvia.

The project has three main areas of concern: protected grasslands of EU significance, protected forests of EU significance and control of invasive or alien species. LVM, which manages almost half of the protected or so-called Natura 2000 territories of European Union significance, will contribute to the work with disturbed forest habitats, the application of remote research opportunities in assessing the condition of forest habitats, share its experience in the application of landscape ecological planning opportunities for forest habitats of European Union significance, protection planning, as well as support for a set of measures to control alien plant species.

What will be the benefits? The project will enable an approach based on science and the practical experience of company employees to address nature conservation issues, especially in the biodiversity sector. Preserving natural values and restoring habitats are key factors of contribution to the provision of ecosystem services, as well as to climate change mitigation. In turn, smart natural capital management serves as a basis not only for the development of a sustainable economy, but also for a quality living environment and a healthy society.

In the photo: Andrejs Svilāns, Director General of the Nature Protection Board

LIFE-IP LatViaNature is an integrated project of the EU LIFE Environment Programme, which ensures the implementation of important environmental policy documents in the European Union. Integrated projects are characterized by a multidisciplinary approach, a long-term vision, a diverse range of partners involved and a wide geographical coverage. The main goal of the integrated project is the full implementation of the specific strategy or action plan, involving the sectors and stakeholders relevant to the goal of the project.

LIFE-IP LatViaNature is implemented with the financial support of the European Union's LIFE Environment Programme and the Latvian Regional Environmental Protection Fund of the State Regional Development Agency. The total budget of the project is 19.49 million euros; the budget of the JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” section in the project is 1 million euros, of which 60% is EU funding.

Each EU Member State has an opportunity to implement a total of three integrated projects co-financed by the LIFE programme, and this will be the second integrated project for Latvia and LVM.

LIFE-IP LatViaNature is an integrated project of the EU LIFE Environment Programme, which ensures the implementation of important environmental policy documents in the European Union. Integrated projects are characterized by a multidisciplinary approach, a long-term vision, a diverse range of partners and a wide geographical coverage. The main goal of the integrated project is the full implementation of the specific strategy or action plan, involving in the process the sectors and stakeholders relevant to the project goal.