LatViaNature International Conference in Riga brings together 150 experts from across Europe – recordings now available

On 25–26 September 2025, Nature Conservation Agency within LIFE integrated project LatViaNature organised the international conference Together for Nature: Merging Public and Private Efforts at the University of Latvia. The event brought together 150 nature conservation experts and professionals from 16 European countries. The conference was also streamed online, with recordings and presentations now available.

The event offered insights into the latest European Commission initiatives in nature conservation and the practical implementation of the new EU Nature Restoration Law. Participants had the opportunity to learn about innovative strategies, experiences, and best practices from around Europe that contribute to achieving the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.

The conference brought together policymakers, experts, professionals, NGOs, and other stakeholders in the field of nature conservation. The working language of the event was English.

  • Conference agenda HERE >>>
  • Presentations and recordings HERE >>>
  • Recording of the live broadcast HERE >>>
  • Conference publication “Together for Nature: Highlights from around Europe” HERE >>>
  • Photo gallery HERE >>>

 

The plenary session addressed key nature conservation topics of European relevance: the practical implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Law; funding opportunities for private landowners; the involvement of private forest owners in biodiversity conservation through Finland’s METSO programme; stakeholder participation in results-based agri-environmental payment schemes in Ireland; the 135-year tradition of volunteer engagement at the UK’s Royal Society for the Protection of Birds; as well as LatViaNature’s pilot programmes in Latvia, Living Forests and Blooming Meadows, which support voluntary private landowner engagement in biodiversity conservation outside Natura 2000 network.

Three parallel thematic sessions invited discussion on innovative funding and cooperation models with landowners, the role of volunteer communities in nature conservation and management, and ways to improve nature communication. The conference also included a poster session. At the closing event, participants enjoyed a tasting of products certified under the LatViaNature quality label Product of Semi-natural Grasslands and a special performance by the Nature Concerthall in the Latvian National Botanical Garden.

On the second day, participants visited privately owned pilot sites of the Living Forests and Blooming Meadows programmes in the Vidzeme region, and took part in a Doing Good for Nature volunteer event at Lake Kaņieris.

More information about the conference Together for Nature: Merging Public and Private Efforts is available HERE >>>

Participants of the LatViaNature international conference at the University of Latvia’s House of Nature, Riga, Latvia

 

Andrea Vettori, Head of Nature Conservation Unit, Biodiversity Directorate, DG Environment, European Commission,  presenting the latest EU nature conservation developments

 

Raimonds Čudars, Minister for the Smart Administration and Regional Development of Latvia, at the opening of the LatViaNature conference

 

Laura Anteina, Director General of the Nature Conservation Agency of Latvia, at the opening of the LatViaNature conference

 

Ieva Saleniece, Manager of the LatViaNature project, presenting the project to international conference participants

 

Participants of the international conference

 

Poster session

 

Thematic session about stakeholder engagement and communication

 

Thematic session Incentivizing private landowners through funding schemes

 

Thematic session Volunteer contributions to habitat and species management

 

Nature Concerthall performance Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis)

 

Nature Concerthall performance Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis)

 

LatViaNature mobile nature classroom with educational nature games at the Latvian National Botanical Garden

 

Volunteer event at Lake Kaņieris

 

 

Meklēšana

Skip to content