Partnership

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The project is implemented by a team of ten organisations representing both the public and non-governmental sectors, including scientific institutions.

Strong teamwork and a wide range of experts will be the project’s biggest assets as they are the cornerstone of a science and practical-based approach to nature conservation, especially pertaining to biodiversity.

State institutions

The Nature Conservation Agency ensures the implementation of unified nature protection policy in Latvia, management of protected territories, cooperation with local authorities, NGOs and education institutions to promote nature conservation. The Agency reports to the Ministry of the Environmental Protection and Regional Development, also a Project partner.

The Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia is responsible for implementing policy in three areas - environmental protection, regional development as well as information and communication technologies.

In the project, the MoSARD, together with other partners, will act on reviewing approaches to the planning of specially protected nature territories, as well as improving the network of Natura 2000 sites in Latvia.

Scientific institutions/Universities

The University of Latvia retains the position of the most prestigious higher education institution in Latvia with a prominent standing both in the development of the entire education system, and in the overall growth of the country's economy.

Within the Project, the University will promote the development and implementation of science-based innovative biodiversity solutions, as well as promote public awareness in this field.

Daugavpils University is the largest regional state university in Latvia. DU is developing as a modern academic institution that provides the environment and infrastructure for outstanding achievements in research, studies, and creative endeavours.

Within the project, the university will conduct a scientific assessment of the invasive species of Latvia and will help determine priorities and guidelines on the restriction or eradiction of species as well as including new species in the invasive species list of Latvia. DU will also help to select pilot sites and methods for controlling invasive species.

Historically developed as an agricultural higher education institution, the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies today has grown into a multidisciplinary profile university, which prepares academically and socially educated specialists in life sciences, engineering, and social sciences.

In partnership with other project reaserchers of spatial management planning in protected territories, the LULST scientists will develop the criteria of landscape quality assessment and the solutions of landscape protection and sustainable tourism. In addition, based on experience with forest habitats and data modeling, LULST researchers will be involved in habitat quality assessment.

Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences is a regional state university and offers study programs in the faculties of social sciences and engineering, successfully balancing theory and practice and adapting to current societal needs and changes in the labor market.

In the project, ViA will study the socio-economic impact of the planned measures, evaluate the project actions and their impact on the nature protection system in Latvia, as well as evaluate the impact of the project both on the parties involved and awareness building during the eight years of the project. They also plan to develop a methodology for impact assessment, applicable not only to this but also to other LIFE projects in the future.

Enterprises

JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” is in charge of the administration of state-owned forest property and the management of public forest, ensuring the preservation and increase of its value and generation of revenue, including those within Natura 2000 sites. In total, LVM manages 1.60 million hectares of forest land, of which 1.39 million hectares are forest.

In the project, LVM will participate by setting habitat protection objectives, testing and demonstrating forest habitat management methods in an area of at least 100 hectares. The partner will develop a remote sensing method to assess the condition of forest habitats, share experience in applying landscape ecological planning method to the planning of forest habitat protection of EU importance, as well as participate in testing and the demonstration of invasive species’ eradication methods in pilot sites.

The Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre is the leading organisation of consultancy services related to rural development in Latvia. LRATC provides consultations in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, rural development and non-agricultural business to farmers and owners of private forest lands.

The LRATC will participate in developing a compensation system for restrictions on forestry activities, establishing demonstration areas in regards to sustainable forest management in private lands, as well as in developing solutions for invasive species identification in the forest. Concerning invasive species, this will include control methods and running a small grant program for landowners to test methods for the eradiction of invasive species in forests.

Non-governmental organisations

The Latvian Fund for Nature works for the preservation of biological diversity by implementing a wide range of projects, educating society and raising public awareness on environmental issues.

In the project, the LFN will develop a Grassland Product label in order to support businesses that are at the core of management of high nature value grasslands. The partner will engage in all stages of label development - from product research and design to promoting and marketing support both to manufacturers and the public.

Pasaules Dabas Fonds is the associated partner of World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) in Latvia.

In the project, PDF will promote sustainable forest management by demonstrating practical examples on private land. In cooperation with the project lead partner, PDF will work towards increasing volunteer involvement in habitat and species management activities.