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Young People Get to Know the Forest as the Basis of Latvia's Security

Drawing inspiration and knowledge for filming video messages, also this year the participants of the 2nd round of the JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) scholarship competition “LVM Bio-economy School” went on an exploratory expedition to get to know the role of the forest industry in strengthening Latvia's energy and material security and independence.

Kārlis Taukačs, Senior Planner of LVM Vidusdaugava Region, helped the young people learn about the economic processes taking place in the State forest areas. Meeting in the vicinity of the White Dune of Zvirgzde, the participants of the scholarship competition learnt how to calculate the number of planted trees per hectare, as well as acquired the methods for determining the age and height of trees. Considering that both economic and ecological requirements are reconciled in the planning of forestry processes, the participants were also introduced to the procedures for preserving biological diversity and landscapes in the territories managed by LVM.

After the exploratory event in the forest, the participants went to the Latvian State Forestry Institute “Silava” to take part in various practical workshops organized by the institute, such as measuring soil acidity, studying the projections of plant roots, and treating the tops of young trees with protective products. In addition to the Latvian State Forestry Institute “Silava” workshops, they also met with JSC “Latvijas Finieris” specialists in the premises of the institute, who in a creative and informative way introduced the audience to the diversity of applications of birch and its products and its potential for future innovations. At the end of the day, the researchers together with the students visited the Latvian tree seed bank and learnt about different research methods both in laboratories and in greenhouses specially designed for this purpose.

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LVM Bio-economy School expedition

Ance Gerbe, a participant of the “LVM Bio-economy School” competition from the 11th grade of the Jelgava State Gymnasium:

“I am studying in a biology class; however, I am participating in the bio-economy competition for the first time. Getting to know this topic more closely, I realized that it is quite interesting and relevant today. I also liked today's excursion, where I learnt many new things. The section of the forest hike and the visit to JSC “Latvijas finieris” company were particularly engaging; it was so exciting to see how widely wood and its products can be used. In turn, at the “Silava” institute, we got to know the research areas of forest and related industries. It was a valuable and informative day.”

The initial task of the students for the competition was to create an attractive and topical poster on the theme proposed by the jury. The authors of the best works, who not only successfully reflect the nature of bio-economy in their works, but also relate it to their everyday life, were invited to participate in the second round of the competition to find the answers to the questions they are interested in together with industry experts. They also have an opportunity to learn about sustainable forest management in nature. The inspiration and new knowledge gained during the expedition are useful for the participants in the third round of the competition, where they should make one-minute-long video messages about bio-economy, its role in everyday life and in the future.

In the photo: a poster designed by Ance Gerbe.

JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) in cooperation with “Zaļās majas” society, JSC “Latvijas Finieris”, SIA “Rīgas meži” and the National Centre for Education organizes a scholarship competition for high school students “LVM Bio-economy School” to increase the awareness of the growing use of forest resources and their role in solving environmental problems. In three rounds of the competition, students get to know, explore in nature and solve issues affecting the innovative field of bio-economy. Learn more about the scholarship competition at www.lvm.lv/bioekonomika.