Working together to improve biodiversity on private lands in Natura 2000 in Latvia

BloomingMeadows Signing of the First Agreement — Maija Medne

About the finalist

Lead applicants	Nature Conservation Agency; Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre; Pasaules dabas fonds; Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development; University of Latvia; Daugavpils University; Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences; Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies; JSC “Latvia’s state forests”; Latvian Fund for Nature
Category	Working together for nature
Countries involved	Latvia
Main Natura 2000 sites	Eight Natura 2000 sites in Latvia including Kemeru nacionalais parks
Website	https://latvianature.daba.gov.lv/en/

Overview

The ongoing Working Together initiative, funded by the EU LIFE programme, is implemented by the Latvian Nature Conservation Agency, supported by Pasaules Dabas Fonds (an environmental NGO) and the Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre (a private consultancy company).

The project is aiming to encourage private landowners to actively engage in biodiversity conservation in eight Natura 2000 sites and neighbouring areas by:

Establishing voluntary nature conservation contracts with landowners through two pilot programmes: “Living Forest”, which encompasses 70 forest owners committed to implementing nature-friendly forest management practices, and "Blooming Meadows", which brings together 70 private landowners in the conservation of endangered semi-natural grasslands.
Demonstrating sustainable forestry practices: the demonstration practices engaged five private forest owners located strategically across Latvia, ensuring that forest owners from all regions of the country were reached.
Encouraging volunteer involvement in habitat management. Over 800 volunteers have been involved in educational events and practical habitat management activities focussed on protected habitats and species with the support of a tailor-made Mobile Nature Education Class, a specially equipped van that provides educational materials directly in natural settings, enhancing the overall experience for participants.

This is the first time that voluntary mechanisms for biodiversity conservation on private land have been put into practice in Latvia, and the number of interested landowner and volunteer exceeded all expectations.

Although the initiative is still ongoing, many lessons have already been learned which are expected to be integrated into the national biodiversity conservation policy. In particular, there are plans to include voluntary nature conservation mechanisms into the Latvian Prioritised Action Framework document and to design a new compensation system at the national level based on the experience of the initiative in working with private landowners.