archnetwork :: State Forest Service in Latvia.

The main topics of excursions will be: challenges balancing between conservation goals and interests of private land owners (the national park is established considering nature values rather than land property); bird habitat maintaining by grazing; beavers and wetlands.

Introduction with State Forest Service (www.vmd.gov.lv )

B. Rotberga, J. Baumanis, R. Bērmanis

General structure of the forestry sector in Latvia and role of the SFS within it.

Overnight and dinner in a coastal guest house (www.kurzeme.lv)

Wednesday 27th May

Excursions J. Ozoliņš & local guides

The main topics of excursions will be: brief history of W-Latvian region Kurzeme [Courland]; coastal fishermen villages; natural coastal habitats.

Introduction with conservation policy within NATURA 2000 network, focus on the coastal lagoon lakes (Kaņieris, Engure).

Overnight in a coastal Guest House (www.kurzeme.lv)

Thursday 28th May

Canoe trip along River Irbe

Topic of the excursion: forest protection along natural water courses, species richness.

Sauna party

Overnight in a coastal Guest House with sauna e.g. www.laikas.lv

Friday 29th May

Introduction with a district forestry

Mr. J. Iesalnieks, head forester

Topic of the discussion: structure and tasks of the local SFS staff.

Walk in a forest: looking for footprints and scats of wolves, lynx, otters, beavers, capercaillie etc.

Overnight in a coastal Guest House

Saturday 30th May

Visit to a border town of the former USSR Liepāja (www.karostascietums.lv). Soviet rules and their 50 year domination consequences in Latvia. Understanding of invincible Latvian spirit.

Overnight in a coastal Guest House

Sunday 31st May

Museums, sight seeing in Riga. We will visit the Ethnographical museum and the the Museum of the Occupation. There will be free time in the city.

Accommodation in Riga

Monday 01st June

Departure. Riga/Glasgow

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Latvia