The Lake Engure is a unique European wetland and one of the most important nature protection sites in Latvia. It has been nationally protected since 1957 (bird reserve 1957–1998, nature park since 1998). Lake Engure is also the Ramsar site since 1995 when Latvia joined the Convention, the Important Bird Area and the proposed Natura 2000 site. The site holds 15 species and 23 habitats (8 of them priority) of Community importance listed in Bird and Habitat Directives, as well as 18 species of Bern Convention.

Both, national and international nature conservation authorities have recognized the importance of this site. It resulted in several projects for conservation and management funded by both national and international organisations. The most recent of these projects (1998-2000) was the elaboration of Management Plan for Lake Engure Nature Park funded by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and Latvian Environmental Protection fund. LIFE project is based on this management plan, it aims at implementation of the most urgent management measures foreseen in the management plan, elaborated by joint efforts of Latvian Fund for Nature, Ministry of Environment of Latvia and local communities. The objective of the plan is the conservation of 5 fish and 3 plant species listed in the Annex 2 of Directive 92/43/EEC, 3 bird species of Directive 79/409/EEC and 23 habitats listed in the Annex 1 of Habitats Directive. Management actions proposed in the plan will contribute to the economic development of the region providing more income and creating new jobs in the region with high unemployment level.

1.2. Overview of the main conservation issues being addressed

Main threats to the biological diversity and the breeding bird populations in the Lake Engure Nature Park (LENP) are overgrowing of the lake by reed, overgrowing of meadows both at the lake and sea. Lack of public involvement and awareness is obstacle to successful implementation of regulations and the management plan.

Overgrowing of the lake by reed, merging of separate reed-beds is considered very significant threat to the lake Engure. Main causes of the overgrowing are lowering of lake levels in 1842, intensive pollution with nutrients from agricultural runoff in the 1960s - 1980s, accumulation of organic material in lake sediments and termination of reed harvest. Project is addressing this threat by actions C.2, D.2 and D.3.

Loss of meadow habitats and overgrowing of calcareous fens is another dangerous trend, leading to disappearance of such bird species as Crex crex and all Limicolae species, as well as numerous plant species, such as Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich and others. Several habitats of Community importance are in danger of disappearing due to this threat, such as Boreal Baltic coastal meadows, Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils, Northern boreal alluvial meadows and Calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus and species of the Caricion davalliana. Project is addressing this threat by actions A.1, A.2, C.1, C.3, C.4, D.1 and D.3.

Uncontrolled, illegal and increasing rate of forest cutting is nationwide threat and the result of such actions is that the mid-aged, old and over-age stands have very few elements favouring biological diversity: (large trees, standing dead trees, broken stems, wind-throws of old age, trees with hollows (>25 cm diameter). Therefore, there are no forests that have developed in the longer term without anthropogenic impact. As a result of sanitary cutting, in most of the territory, stands have low stem density, stumps of variable age, stumps from wind-broken trees, and vehicles have trampled the vegetation.

A negative trend that has been increasing in importance since renewal of independence is uncontrolled harvest by private forest owners. Continuation of this process, together with further drainage of forests would intensify the threat to biological diversity in the Lake Engure Nature park forests, and such important habitats as Transition mires and quaking bogs, Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicon albae, Fennoscandian deciduous swamp woods and Bog woodland.

This threat is addressed by actions A.1, A.3 and D.4.

Many habitats and species are influenced by violation of the nature protection regime in Lake Engure Nature Park. By actions A.3, D.4 and E.3, project is addressing following threats:

1. Violation of fishing and hunting regulations (violation of allowed net length limits, angling and net fishing out of season or in forbidden locations, use of banned fishing instruments and unregistered fishing craft),

2. Violation of hunting regulations (hunting in the restricted nature protection territory, use of electrical engines during hunting, use of banned ammunition types),

3. Violation of regulations concerning boating stations (allowed boat number exceeded, clients are not informed of regulations).

Uncontrolled tourism and visitor activities along the sea is another nationwide threat, endangering many important coastal habitats, such as Embryonic shifting dunes, Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria (white dunes), Fixed coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation (grey dunes), Wooded dunes of the Atlantic, Continental and Boreal region.

The negative effects have been caused by the following factors:

- Insufficient number of recreational sites with public services along the seashore,

- Insufficiently developed seashore management (refuse collection, regeneration and tending of recreational sites),

- Lack of information and control (insufficient information on the LENP regulations regarding protection and use, and insufficient information on beach and dune ecology, plants and animals).

Project is addressing the issue by providing more information about the regime and values, establishing infrastructure for nature friendly tourism, as well as by enforcing the control in the LENP (Actions D.4, E.1, E.2, E.3, E.4, E.5, E.6, E.7, E.8 and E.9).

1.3. Summary of the project’s objectives and expected results

Objectives of this project are as follows:

- Protection of rare and endangered habitats and species,

- Restoration and maintenance of at least 107 ha of meadows,

- 50 ha of especially valuable forest saved from cutting,

- At least 2000 visitors per year visiting the Lake Engure Nature Park thus contributing to the economic development of the region,

- Established basis for further education and management of the Lake Engure Nature Park.

The implementation of listed project objectives are analysed in Chapter 4.1 of this Report.

Drawings used for illustration of this Report are attached in Annex 15.

SECTION 2. Overall Project summary

INTRODUCTION. Project “Implementation of management plan for Lake Engure Nature Park” was started in October 2001. All activities, foreseen in project proposal have been successfully undertaken and described in following sections. Also modified activities are described in following sections.

STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT. As in previous reports, we are describing the progress of the project activity by activity in following sections, according to project proposal. Any additional information to the description of activities, such as pictures, booklets, maps etc. is attached in Annexes 1-15.

2.1. Summary of actions undertaken

2.1.1. PREVIOUS REPORTS. Interim project report describing actions implemented from 1 October 2001 to 31 August 2002 was submitted in September 2002, the progress report describing actions implemented from 1 September 2002 to 31 August 2003 was submitted in September 2003.

2.1.2. MAIN HABITAT MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES. Among main management activities, such actions as reed cutting, restoration and maintenance of coastal and shore meadows and protection of forests should be mentioned as most significant.

We have been cutting the reed in lake since 2002 thus eliminating large stands of reed and improving breeding habitat for birds (Action D.2). Monitoring provides us with figures showing that on some of the islands the breeding success of ducks has increased from 0% in 2002 to 85% in 2003.

First project meadow was restored in 2002, followed by the second meadow in 2003 and others in 2004; cattle are already grazing on 3 meadows. The effectiveness of maintenance of meadows by grazing is proving to be very high - it can be explicitly seen on the first meadow, where large stands of reed have been eliminated and waders and geese are returning to meadows for resting, breeding and feeding. Cattle and horse grazing have raised high interest in public and media, especially our idea to bring Latvian native breed “Latvian Blue cow” to the area. More information about grazing management please see in description of Action C.3.

2.1.3. MONITORING. Monitoring the impact of management measures on species and habitats (Action D.3) is providing us with first positive results and the experience of project is proving to be very useful for other projects, planning grazing management of grasslands.

2.1.4. TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE. Development of nature friendly tourism in the nature park has resulted in increase of numbers of visitors to Lake Engure Nature Park (LENP) up to 5 times. There have been ca 5000 persons visiting LENP in 2003 and up to 8600 in 2004. We have designed and set up the nature trail, called “Orchid trail” (Action E.4) that was opened in June 2003 and experienced up to 1000 visitors in 2003. Information signs (Action E.3) have been set up, building of bird watching towers (Action E.2) is finished, and summer lecture house is in successfully working. As added value to the project activities Lake Engure Nature park fund was entrusted by municipality to manage one boating station in Mersrags and obtained funding from Dutch Embassy in Latvia to develop small information centre there. Not only project is financing development of tourism infrastructure in LENP. Following our initiative, also Mersrags municipality, Embassy of the Netherlands in Latvia and State Stock Company “Latvian State Forests” have invested in development of tourism infrastructure in LENP, please see more in Chapter 4.4.2 of this Report.

2.1.5. EXPERIMENT. Engure project is the first project in Latvia, introducing the system of breeding meat cattle for nature conservation purposes, combined with support to farmers. Due to the fact that there was no experience of this kind of activities in Latvia, it was hard to foresee fully the effects of different activities planned in the project. At the moment when project is finished we can with full confidence say that grazing management was the right solution for Engure to restore and maintain the habitats and to involve local community in nature conservation.

2.1.6. TRANSFER OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE. The experience of Engure project has been in several cases used as example, when planning management measures in other protected areas in Latvia, such as North Gauja Nature park, Kemeri National park, Lielupe floodplain meadows and others. Project managers have participated in countless number of seminars, disseminating our experience to other projects within and outside Latvia. Please see more about some of the seminars in description of actions E.7 and F.2.

Thus, Engure project has been playing major role in developing semi-natural grazing approach in protected areas. Nature conservationists from all regions of Latvia were able learn from our experience, as they were presented the first results of the project during the seminar organised in August 2002 and final results in September 2004 (Action E.7.). We have also published 5 booklets/flyers within the project, exceeding the planned number (3). Please see action E.5 for more details.

During the project, we also accumulated experience of others and applied their knowledge in Engure. Two Study Tours (Action F.3.) – To Hiiumaa (EST) and Takern/Homborga (SVE) were very useful for project staff to gain more experience in management of wetlands by reed cutting and grazing.

2.1.7. DEMONSTRATION EFFECT. Project activities are serving the purpose of demonstration activities, especially all the recurring and non-recurring biotope management actions – reed cutting, restoration of meadows, introducing the cattle. The reed cutting machine bought for the project was the first one of this kind in Latvia and will be further used for management of Lake Engure and also other protected areas (e.g. Razna lake).

2.2. Final results of the Project

2.2.1. Summary table of actions

Number of action	Action	Time plan	Status
A.1.	Digital mapping of habitats of Community importance in LENP	II-IV 2002	Accomplished EU habitats and protected plant species mapped
A.2.	Agreements and contracts with local farmers about keeping the cattle of LENP	IV 2001 – I 2002	Accomplished Contracts signed for cattle in Kulciems
A.3.	Establishment of micro-reserves	III 2004 – IX 2004	Accomplished Proposals for 45 micro-reserves submitted for establishment to State Forest Service and Nature Protection Board for total 718.8 ha.
B.1.	Purchase of forest land from 5 private owners in reserve zone	IV 2001 – I 2002	Cancelled, please see First Additional Clause to the project (05.05.04)
C.1.	Restoration of shore meadows, calcareous meadows and meadows on islands	I-II 2002	Accomplished 140 ha of meadows restored in 6 locations
C.2.	Purchase of reed cutting machine	IV 2001 – II 2002	Accomplished Machine purchased in 2002
C.3.	Purchase of cattle for grazing management in LENP	I-II 2002	Accomplished 26 cattle purchased from 2001 to 2004
C.4.	Building of fences for keeping the cattle	II 2002, I 2003, I 2004	Accomplished 6 pasture areas fenced, total length of fences ca 12 000 m
D.1.	Maintaining shore, island and coastal meadows and calcareous fens by grazing	III 2002 – III 2004	Accomplished 32 cattle and 10 horses grazing on 3 restored areas permanently, other areas managed as winter pastures etc.
D.2.	Reed cutting	III 2002, III 2003, III 2004	Accomplished 612 ha of reed cut since 2002.
D.3.	Monitoring the effect of management measures on habitats and species	II 2002 – III 2004	Accomplished Monitoring programme elaborated and implemented
D.4.	Ensuring adequate control and protection in LENP	IV 2001 – III 2004	Accomplished 2 inspectors working full time since 2001
E.1.	Building of summer lecture room	I-II 2002	Accomplished Summer lecture house fully finished in 2004
E.2.	Construction of 2 bird watching towers	I 2002, I 2003	Accomplished 1^st bird watching tower constructed in 2002, 2^nd in 2003
E.3.	Setting up notice boards and border signs at LENP	IV 2001 – I 2002	Accomplished 22 notice boards and ca 50 smaller signs set up
E.4.	Construction of nature/tourist path	I-II 2003	Accomplished Orchid Trail opened in 2003
E.5.	Printing 3 booklets about LENP and project	IV 2001, I 2003, II 2004	Accomplished 5 booklets/leaflets printed
E.6.	Publication of park periodical	I 2003 – III 2004	Accomplished 3 issues printed and distributed
E.7.	Organising seminars	IV 2001, I 2003, II 2004	Accomplished 1^st seminar organised in January 2002 2^nd seminar organised in August 2002 3^rd seminar organised in September 2004
E.8.	Film about LENP	II-III 2003	Accomplished Film first presented in project closing seminar in September 2004
E.9.	Creating home page of LENP and LIFE project	IV 2001	Accomplished Home page of project launched in 2002; home page of LENP launched in 2004
F.1.	Monitoring of project performance	III 2002, III 2003, III 2004	Accomplished 8 meetings of Lake Engure Council conducted
F.2.	Administration of the project	IV 2001 – III 2004	Accomplished 4 persons working full time in the project, ohters – part time
F.3.	Study Tours	IV 2001, II 2002	Accomplished 2 study tours organised – to Estonia and to Sweden
F.4.	Independent audit of the project	III 2004	Accomplished Audit report attached to this report

2.2.2. SUMMARY OF PROJECT MILESTONES

Milestone	No	Planned	Accomplished
Valuable forest compartments bought for protection	B.1.	March, 2002	Cancelled, see First Additional Clause
First meadow habitats restored (The wet shore meadow north of the Ornithological station, including a strip of pine forest)	C.1.	June, 2002	2002
Reed cutting machine bought	C.2.	June, 2002	2002
Cattle for grazing bought	C.3.	June, 2002	2002 –2004
Summer lecture room built	E.1.	June, 2002	2003
First bird watching tower constructed	E.2.	March, 2002	2002
Second bird watching tower constructed	E.2.	March, 2003	2003
Tourist path constructed	E.4.	June, 2003	2003
Project introduction seminar conducted	E.7.	December, 2001	2002
2^nd project seminar conducted	E.7.	March, 2003	2002
Final project seminar conducted	E.7.	September, 2004	2004
Film about Lake Engure Nature park and project ready	E.8.	September, 2003	2004

2.2.3. SUMMARY OF DELIVERABLE PRODUCTS

Product	Number of action	Planned	Accomplished
Black and white booklet about LIFE project	E.5.	31 November, 2001	19 November, 2001
Home page of LENP and project	E.9.	31 December, 2001	Project - launched in September 2002 LENP – launched in September 2004
Digital map with habitats of Community importance in LENP	A.1.	31 December, 2002	August 2004
Full colour booklet about LENP and project	E.5.	15 February, 2003	March 2004
Film about Lake Engure Nature park	E.8.	30 September, 2003	September 2004
Full colour booklet about results of project	E.5.	30 September, 2004	September 2004

2.3. Summary of overall Project assessment

All main project objectives have been achieved during the project implementation. Protection of rare and endangered species was started with inventories of these values, resulting in habitat maps (A.1), and then restoration and maintenance of most important habitats took place (C and D). Habitat management actions were complemented by establishment of micro-reserves for protection of most vulnerable habitats and species (A.3) and regular control over protection regime (D.4). In some cases, planned objectives have been overachieved and broadened. It was planned to restore at least 107 ha of meadows, the project restored ca 120 ha. It was planned to save 50 ha of forest from cutting, micro-reserves were established on 523 ha. It was planned to establish tourism infrastructure and nature education basis and achieve target of at least 2000 visitors per year and already 8000 visitors have visited LENP in period January – September 2004. Please see more on main target achievement in Chapter 4.1 of this Report.

Species and habitats, targeted by the project benefited from elaboration of Individual site protection rules, establishment of micro-reserves for species and habitats (e.g. 7140, 7210*, 7230, 9010*, 9080*, 91E0*, Aquila pomarina, Bubo bubo, Haliaetus albicilla etc.) and restoration of habitats, such as e.g. 6410, 7210*, 5130 and 1630*. Please see more on conservation benefits for species and habitats in Chapter 4.2 of this Report.

Project findings and experience was shared using both presentations and publications. Project staff participated in ca 10 international meetings and more than 15 national meetings with presentations of the project. Publications were made on both national and international level (e.g. publication in International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences 29: 109-111, 2003 (special issue on wetlands and agriculture). Please see more about networking and experience exchange in Chapter 4.3 of this Report.

The main learning points of the project were related to the involvement of local community in the management activities. Also different grassland grazing approaches were tested and evaluated in the project, findings reported in seminars.

The LIFE project activities served as seed money for more activities taking place in Engure now, e.g. additional funding for tourism infrastructure (Embassy of the Netherlands, local municipalities and State Stock Company “Latvian Forests”) and for habitat management (GEF Baltic Sea Regional Project). The support from local municipalities should be underlined, although it is not large in monetary terms, it shows the change of attitude towards nature conservation in region. This positive attitude was achieved thanks to the project activities, when local stakeholders were involved in project implementation. The socio-economic situation of the area is improving and project has directly influenced this situation. It is important to underline that during project closing seminar, all municipality majors (Engure, Mersrgags and Kulciems majors) expressed their thanks to the project and, what is more important, their willingness to support LENP in future. Please see more about additional funds attracted and socio-economic effects in Chapters 4.4 and 4.5 of this Report.

2.4. The future: long-term effects of the Project and further actions recommended

The project has provided the background investment for establishment of nature management system in LENP to the extent that would not be at the moment possible with national funding possibilities. Grazing and reed cutting system, tourism infrastructure and well trained personnel is the long-term investment to provide further successful functioning of the Nature Park. Lake Engure Nature park fund has received necessary support to start functioning and to continue its work with resources available.

In the longer term, the project has set the basis for management organization (LENP fund) of one of the most important protected sites in Latvia. If planned re-organization of the system of management of protected areas (please see more in chapter 4.6) will take place, the Lake Engure Nature park fund will not only manage Lake Engure but might be also responsible for management of other protected areas in the vicinity. Therefore, the input from LIFE funding would provide great benefit not only to one protected areas, but also to several.

As for the further actions recommended, it is necessary to continue discussions with the governmental agencies to establish regular funding mechanism for administrations of the protected areas that are not only government agencies. As for actions to be taken in Engure, the communication with local stakeholders should be continued on regular basis. We have finally set up also the home page for LENP and hope that this communication mean will become more and more popular also in region. In addition, the regular newsletter should be issued as during the project, in order to continue the information flow to the local stakeholders. For more about management actions please see chapter 4.6.

SECTION 3. Detailed report of activities

The activities are described in the same manner as in interim and progress reports. In this Final report we are providing summary of all activities with reference to above-mentioned reports if necessary. The location of project activities is shown on the map (please see the map in Annex 1).

A. Preparatory actions, elaboration of management plans and/or of action plans

ACTION A.1:

Name of action: Digital mapping of habitats of Community importance in LENP

Time plan: II-IV 2002

Progress: Forest habitats were checked in nature during 2002 field season. EC habitats 7210 and 7230 were mapped in 2003. Dune habitats were checked in 2002, but information was not sufficient and we requested more detailed analysis of habitats that was done in 2003/2004. Botanists have been checking the locations of protected species as indicators to EU habitats in 2003/2004. In total, 5 experts were involved in mapping of habitats.

All information is incorporated in maps.

Variations/complications/delays: Delayed due to more detailed inventories than initially planned.

Additional information: Habitat map in Annex 2. Pictures A.1 in Annex 8, No.1-3 on CD attached in Annex 15.

ACTION A.2:

Name of action: Making agreements and signing contracts with local farmers about keeping the cattle owned by LENP

Time plan: IV 2001 – I 2002

Progress: No contracts for the cattle placed in the first project meadow (please refer to Area #1 in description of Action C.1) were signed. The reasons for that please see described in Interim and Progress report.

Second project meadow (please refer to Area #2 in description of Action C.1) at the moment is grazed by 22 cattle. There are 3 owners of the second meadow – 2 private owners and Kulciems municipality. We have signed the contracts with 2 private owners (covering app. 60 % of meadow) about using their land for grazing and making fences. None of them were interested in signing contracts about keeping the cattle, for different reasons – one owner is rather old and don’t have the strength to take care of cattle, other is living outside the area, in Tukums town. Later, when restored areas were expanded in Kulciems (for reasons please see the letter to Bruno Julien on 23.03.2004) for another 20 ha, we signed 2 more contracts with land owners of the lands about management of the land and construction of fences.

The contract about keeping the cattle was signed with a farmer in the area; please see Progress report for more detail (contract was attached to the Progress report, Annex 3). The contract with farm “Knagi” was signed in March 2004 entrusting the farmer to take care of part of the cattle on the second meadow.

As for contract for keeping the Latvian Blue cows in Mersrags meadows, local landowner Dzintra Kniploka is taking care of them during the winter season. Herd of Latvian Blue cattle is also supervised by Aelita Runce (farm Kalna Berzini) that was consulting project on biological farming and will be continuing cooperation with LENP after the project.

In total, 4 farmers have expressed the interest to take care of the cattle, but not all of them have officially registered farm and it is not possible to sign contracts with them. There have been also discussions with local Mersrags farmer Inara Rudbaha about possibilities to take care of the cattle in Mersrags during summer months, it is in discussion process now and will be resulted next spring when new grazing season will begin.

Variations/complications/delays: Activity was delayed until 2003, due to reasons described in Interim report. At the moment all necessary contracts are signed.

Additional information: NO

ACTION A.3:

Name of action: Establishment of micro reserves

Time plan: 2004

Progress: 43 micro reserves with total area of 522.8 ha have been proposed for establishment to State Forest Service and Nature Protection Board in September 2004. 2 more have been established in 2002, with total area of 196 ha. Micro reserves are proposed for protection of EU habitat types 7140, 7210*, 7230, 91E0*, 9010* and 9080* as well as species Aquila pomarina, Bubo bubo, Haliaetus albicilla, Dendrocopus leucotos, Dactylorhiza cruenta, Orphys insectifera, Hydrocotyle vulgaris and Corallorrhiza trifida. They are located in all zones of LENP, mainly along seacoast and lakeshore. One expert was working full time on this action from June to September 2004, with other experts assisting on short-term contracts.

According to procedure of establishment of micro reserves, the proposals should be accepted within 30 days from proposing. Latvian Fund for Nature will follow up on this procedure to ensure that micro reserves are established according to procedure. Up to date we have been informed that our proposal on micro reserves has been accepted for all micro reserves in Tukums Head forestry, the decision on Talsi Head forestry is pending.

Variations/complications/delays: Action not initially planned in the project, but proposed after cancelling of action B.1 – due to changes of situation it was more appropriate solution for protection of valuable habitats outside strict protection zones in LENP.

Additional information: Map of proposed micro reserves in Annex 3. Pictures A.3 in Annex 8, No.1-3 on CD attached in Annex 15.

B. Purchase/lease of land and/or rights

ACTION B.1:

Name of action: Purchase of land from 5 private owners of forests in reserve zone where no management is allowed.

Time plan: IV 2001 – I 2002

The action is cancelled due to reasons described in our letter (23.03.2004); please see First Additional Clause (05.05.2004).

C. Non-recurring management

ACTION C.1:

Name of action: Restoration of shore meadows, calcareous meadows.

Time plan: I-II 2002

Areas restored:

In year 2002: #1. Project first meadow. The wet meadow north of the Engure Ornithological Station, 20ha – cutting of bushes done by local workers and during bush cutting event in autumn 2002.

In year 2003: #2. Project second meadow. The wet meadow on the western side of the lake, 40 ha. Tree and bush lines along the ditches cut by local workers and local people that were allowed to keep the wood in return for cutting trees.

In year 2004: #3. Calcareous meadows, including a calcareous pine forest, 30 ha. Small pine trees on fens have been cut, meadow prepared for management as winter grazing area.

#4. Expanded meadow described in point 1 to the north of the bird-watching tower, 5 ha. Bushes on meadow cut by local workers.

#5. Expanding the meadow #2 for additional 20 ha. Limited bush cutting done by local workers. Not initially planned in the project, but added due to high value and local interest.

# 6. Mersrags meadow, 15 ha. Cutting of grass done by tractor obtained in GEF Baltic Sea Regional Project.

All planned meadows (in total 120 ha) were restored, and additional 20 ha in Kulciems. Additional area was added based on high interest from local people to participate in the project and high potential value of overgrown shore meadow for wading birds. Local people were employed to perform most of the restoration works. Restoration in Kulciems was partly done by local people without any payment, in return for permission to keep the wood cut. One bush-cutting event was organised in September 2002, we invited people for bush cutting in the first meadow of Lake Engure Nature Park. They were provided with tools and free food, and worked as volunteers during one day. We had approximately 20 volunteers participating in the event – from local hunters, to ornithologists and students. People were given Engure T-shirts as presents. More about this event please see in Progress report.

Variations/complications/delays: Additional 20 ha restored in Kulciems. Please see the letter to Bruno Julien on 23.03.2004. Restoration of meadows was partly delayed, as we only restored those areas where cattle were available for further management. Therefore, we didn’t restore all the meadows in the first year, but did it gradually as more cattle became available.

Additional information: Action located on activity map in Annex 1. Pictures C.1 in Annex 8, No. 4-9 on CD attached in Annex 15.

ACTION C.2:

Name of action: Purchase of reed cutting machine

Time plan: IV 2001 – II 2002

Progress: In 11/04/2002 the contract was signed between Dorotea Mekaniska AB and Latvian Fund for Nature (Contract was attached to Interim report - in Appendix 3). Based on this contract, the reed-cutting machine TRUXOR DM 4700 was delivered to Engure from Sweden in June 4, 2002.

The introduction on using and repairing the machine was given to the staff of LENP in June 5-10, 2002. First patches of reed were cut already in 5^th June. At the moment machine is working well – 50 ha of reed were cut in 2002, 312 ha in 2003 and 250 ha in 2004. The effectiveness of the reed-cutting machine is very much depending on weather conditions – less reed was cut in 2002 due to very dry season.

The machine has also the additional equipment for deepening the channels, as well as knives for cutting the small bushes and grass.

Small building, initially not foreseen in the project, has been constructed for keeping the machine. This storage house is very important in order to keep the machine in good working condition and store it during the winter months.

The reed-cutting machine will be also used for other protected areas, outside the reed-cutting season in Engure. We have confirmed that machine will be available free of charge for Razna LIFE project and also other protected areas have been showing interest in either purchasing similar machine or using our machine.

Variations/complications/delays: NO

Additional information: Pictures C.2 in Annex 8, No.10-14 on CD attached in Annex 15.

ACTION C.3:

Name of action: Purchase of cattle for grazing management in LENP

Time plan: I-II 2002

Progress: In the project proposal it was foreseen that cattle would be bought in Sweden. By the time project begun, the cattle, meeting our requirements (able to live outside all year round, no need for milking and minimal requirements for additional feeding) was also available in Latvia. Therefore, we changed our plans and decided that most of the cattle has to be bought in Latvia, thus avoiding custom problems and supporting Latvian farmers. Therefore, most of the project cattle were purchased in Latvia, with exception of Highlander bull UKU (purchased in Estonia.

At the moment 26 cattle has been purchased in the project, exceeding the number initially planned (20). But it was possible to purchase more cattle within the budget planned in the project due to the fact that cattle was cheaper in Latvia and we avoided tax and other costs related to importing cattle. We have purchased breeds and crossbreeds of Highlander, Sharole, Latvian Brown, Hereford. Unfortunately 2 cattle have died during 2002/2003 – due to illnesses caused by hot weather (pneumonia).

As additional value to management of valuable grasslands by grazing we are involved in maintenance of Latvian native breed Latvian Blue cow. Within the project we have purchased 5 animals of this breed. The work on maintenance of this ancient breed was especially emphasized during last year of the project as we contacted the Association of Blue Cow Breeders and were provided by continuous support and advice on this issue. We would like to emphasize the added value of EU funding for management of Engure that is helping also to sustain the genetic diversity of Latvian native cattle. Latvian Blue cattle breed is facing the problem of too narrow gene pool and inbreeding (only ca 100 individuals of this breed left in Latvia), thus we have purchased the bull of Swiss breed Alpen Grey that is very similar to Latvian breed. This bull will be serving as huge grazer in Engure meadows and at the same time helping to prevent the breed of Latvian Blue cow from extinction.

Variations/complications/delays: Variation from the initial project proposal is that most of the cattle is bought in Latvia, instead of Sweden. We have emphasized the importance of maintenance of Latvian national breed Latvian Blue, but this additional focus is not compromising the overall goal of the action – to maintain the value of meadows by grazing.

Additional information: More detailed information please see in Interim and Progress reports. Pictures C.3 in Annex 8, No.15-26 on CD attached in Annex 15.

ACTION C.4:

Name of action: Building of fences for keeping the cattle

Time plan: II 2002, I 2003, I 2004.

Progress: 20 ha of the first restored meadow was fenced in 2002, the length of fencing is 2,350 m. For fencing of second meadow (40 ha) 3000 m of fence was constructed. For fencing of calciferous fens (20 ha) 2500 m of fence was constructed and additional ca 4000 m were constructed to fence Mersrags meadow and extensions of project first and second meadows. In total 11850 m of fence have been constructed to fence project meadows. Locally made impregnated wooden poles were used to construct all the fences, in combination with metallic wires and electrical fence. Local people were employed to perform this task.

Also small shelters in first and second project meadows have been build within the fence, to have the place where cattle can hide from the wind and have some hay in winter months.

Variations/complications/delays: The action was expanded (please see letter to Bruno Julien on 23.03.2004 – 20 more ha fenced, 1500 m fence for additional 2750 EUR.

Additional information: Action located on activity map in Annex 1. Pictures C.4 in Annex 8, No.27-30 on CD attached in Annex 15.

D. Recurring management

ACTION D.1:

Name of action: maintaining shore, island and coastal meadows and calcareous fens by grazing. Taking care of the cattle.

Time plan: III 2002-III 2004

Progress: 26 cattle have been purchased in the project (please see action C.3 for more detail) and 8 calves have been born during the project. 2 animals have died, thus the total number of cattle is 32 at the moment. 7 of them are grazing on first project meadow, 5 (Latvian Blue) are grazing on Mersrags meadow and others are grazing on second project meadow.

In addition, a group of five Konik horses that were provided to LENP by Ark Foundation have been placed on the first project meadow and have reached number of 10 animals at the moment. These animals were provided as a gift and the reasons for accepting them in Engure are described in Interim report.

Following we will in detail describe the management results on most early restored areas where grazing is already taking place, with more emphasis on first restored areas as some results can be already observed there.

First project meadow (restored in 2002)

The amount of grazing animals on the first meadow has reached the optimal number (17 animals) and we are planning to move some of them to other areas when number will increase. According to monitoring data and visual observations the condition of this meadow has greatly improved, to compare with condition before project. The meadow is open now and large reed stands do not separate the land from water. The direct access to water is especially important for breeding waders. It is estimated that 2-3 pairs of Vanellus vanellus, 1 pair of Tringa tetanus and 1 pair of Gallinago gallinago were breeding in area in 2004. Feeding of Grus grus, Limosa limosa and Egretta alba was recorded in 2004.

For detailed evaluation of the value of the restored area please see the monitoring report attached in Annex 4. In addition to above mentioned, in 2003/2004 at times over 10 foraging redshanks were observed, which were probably arrived from neighbouring breeding areas. In 2003, a group of Philomachus pugnax males (5-10 birds) were shortly observed in early June, but later they left the area. This is another achievement (i.e., attraction of a species of Annex I of the EU Birds Directive). Other birds, namely Grus grus and Anser anser were seen feeding in meadows and many dabbling ducks, mainly Anas platyrhynchos were observed feeding in shallow waters adjacent to the meadow. So introduction of grazers and reed mowing have indeed increased diversity of species, but at the same time maintaining valuable species from bush areas occurred, e.g. 3 pairs of Lanius collurio (Annex I of the EU Birds Directive) were counted in 2004.

Main conclusion from the vegetation monitoring is that activities have reached their objective to stop degradation of meadow areas, restore them and prevent future expansion of bushes and reeds. For example, reed beds have decreased by 80% in sample plots over the 2 years of management. Typical plant species of meadow and fen communities have recovered in these areas, thus extending the meadow area, including the habitat type 6410 of the Annex II, EU Habitats Directive. Such low vegetation (in contrast to higher reed beds and shrub) is suitable habitat for breeding waders. Five nationally protected plant species were found in this area and, in spite that cattle used to eat all of them at some intensity, current grazing intensities were considered as appropriate because no substantial harm is done to these protected species.

Second project meadow (restored in 2003)

22 cattle are grazing on this meadow at the moment, thus reaching the optimum grazing intensity. The meadow was restored in 2003 and therefore, it is not yet fully suitable for breeding waders, but ducks have been registered feeding there, also ca 260 Anser anser specimens were resting on meadow in July 2004.

This site was probably most overgrown among all project areas and thus not very ambitious management targets were set. The main objective was just to work towards restoring open meadow habitat with access to open water area, therefore return of some most common wader species, like lapwings and redshanks would be a great success in the first years of interference. It was planned that after 2006 the potential of this area could be assessed more precisely and new objectives could be set for the next coming 3 or 5 years.

Indeed, the first season after launch of grazing did not bring any breeding waders back. But this fact does not indicate the wrong way of management. On contrary, expert visited this site in late July 2004 and it was evaluated to be very perspective and it is expected that at least some species will start to breed here next year. Only some efforts should be made in late autumn or early spring to increase access of potentially breeding birds to open water space.

Mersrags meadow (restored in 2004)

5 cattle have been placed on this meadow only in 2004, thus grazing management has been taking place for too short time period to make any conclusions yet.

Variations/complications/delays: In project proposal it is foreseen that cattle will be placed on Lielrova island in 2002. We are suspecting that is will not be possible due to the fact that cattle use to cross the water during winter season on ice.

Additional information: Action located on activity map in Annex 1. Pictures D.1. in Annex 8, No.15-26 on CD attached in Annex 15.

ACTION D.2:

Name of action: reed cutting

Time plan: III 2002, III 2003, III 2004.

Progress: Reed cutting has begun in Lake Engure. Reed cutting machine Truxor DM 4700B (purchased under Action C.2.) has been working in Lake Engure since 5 June, 2002. First areas of reed were cut already in 5^th June. At the moment machine is working well – 50 ha of reed were cut in 2002, 312 ha in 2003 and ca 250 ha in 2004. The reed cutting in 2004 is continuing also in October, after official closing of the project, thus more areas of reed will be cut. In general, it is hard to estimate exact area of reed cut, as it is being cut in very small patches in some places, thus impossible to summarize them up correctly. The effectiveness of the reed-cutting machine is very much depending on weather conditions – less reed was cut in 2002 due to very dry season. The machine is working full time, when possible (after the breeding season is over, not to disturb birds). In areas where birds are not breeding at the moment, reed cutting was started earlier – to use time as efficient as possible.

The reed cutting is very essential measure to ensure opening of shore meadows and prevent overgrowing of islands. Bird monitoring provides the data that after cutting the reed around islands in the lake the breeding success of ducks on some of the islands (e.g. Lopsalrova) increased to 85% in 2003 and 2004. To compare, in the same island the breeding success of ducks in 2001 was 7% and it was 0% on 2002.

Discussions have started with “Niedru jumti” Ltd about cooperation in collecting and selling reed for roofs. Discussions are in the initial stage yet, but if we reach agreement, it would be possible to attract more funding for financing management measures in future.

Variations/complications/delays: The total area to be cut per year, established in project proposal (330ha) was not met in 2002, due to the fact that machine was recently delivered and project staff was still learning to use it. We did not measure the areas cut that could lead to underestimating the areas cut. During the second year, after areas cut were mapped, it appeared that they are larger than initially estimated. Later on, we met the target with 312 ha in 2003 and 250 ha in 2004. It should be added; that it is almost impossible to measure exactly how many ha are cut as reed is being cut in different locations and sometimes in very small patches, sometimes in very narrow strips etc. We are mapping the areas cut, but this might also not be the most precise estimate. Nevertheless, it has been estimated that in average ca 250 ha of reed can be cut per year (if weather conditions permit), it is slightly lower than initially estimated, but restrictions for reed cutting (e.g. it is not permitted to cut the reed during breeding season) should be taken into account.

Additional information: Action located on activity map in Annex 1. Pictures D.2. in Annex 8, No.10-14 on CD attached in Annex 15.

ACTION D.3:

Name of action: monitoring the effect of management measures on habitats and species

Time plan: II 2002 – III 2004

Progress: Dr. Otars Opermanis prepared monitoring program. This monitoring programme is focusing on areas where management measures are implemented, sets the management goals for each of the managed sites and provides the indicators for management.

Mr Mike Alexander, management planning expert from Countryside Council of Wales provided his advices and comments and consulted Dr. Opermanis on elaboration of the programme during his visit to Engure in May 31 – June 1, 2002.

Specialists from Laboratory of Ornithology, Institute of Biology, University of Latvia and specialists from Faculty of Biology implement monitoring program. They have been providing us with continuous data since 2002. Dr. Opermanis prepared the consolidated monitoring report, please see it attached in Annex 4.

As mentioned in this report, it was too early to judge about grassland management success yet. The only meadow area (First project meadow) with two full bird breeding seasons after the start of the management showed encouraging results: the area of habitat 6410 is increasing, breeding waders re-colonised the area after nearly 30 year long time period and it seems that there are good chances for their increase in number and species diversity in coming years.

The report also evaluated the management methods and concluded that current grazing density 0.74-0.86 heads/ha is quite appropriate for the management objective. Nevertheless, several suggestions were made on how to increase the value of habitat for breeding birds. Factors, decreasing the effect of management measures are evaluated (e.g. predators) and suggestions for their removal are made.

This monitoring programme will be implemented also after the end of the project, Lake Engure Nature park fund will coordinate its implementation.

Variations/complications/delays: Elaboration of management indicators was delayed until Spring 2003, but it did not affect the effectiveness of monitoring, because enough data were gathered in 2002 to have the background picture about the state of habitats and species before management actions took place.

Additional information: Monitoring report in Annex 4. Pictures D.3 in Annex 8, No.31-32 on CD attached in Annex 15.

ACTION D.4:

Name of action: Ensuring adequate control and protection in Lake Engure Nature Park.

Time plan: IV 2001 – III 2004

Progress: 2 inspectors are working full time in LENP since 2002. In total, 28560 m of illegal nets, 47 fish traps and 53 berry collecting machines have been confiscated in 3 years. The regular work of inspectors also included regular control of zoning regime and preventing damage to the habitats (e.g. driving in the dune zone).

One of the inspectors has been trained as nature guide and is helping with tourist management in the areas. Both of them have been also helping with setting up the signs and taking care of the cattle, especially at the beginning of the project.

2 cars – Seat Ibiza and VW Caravelle have been purchased for Lake Engure Nature park. They are used for inspection and transporting building materials. VW Caravelle was also used during the Study Tours to Estonia and Sweden, thus minimising the costs of the Study Tours.

The overall picture with minimising illegal activities in the area is optimistic – the scale of illegal activities has decreased since project beginning. This happened due to regular work of inspectors. Less and less visitors are violating the protection regime. Of course also the improved information system (information signs marking the borders of reserve zone, information boards in all boat stations etc) is contributing to decrease of illegal activities.

After the end of the project, inspectors will continue working in LENP. LENP fund is submitting proposals for further funding of the park to the different funding agencies, particularly Ministry of Environment and Nature Protection Board.

Variations/complications/delays: NO

Additional information: Pictures D.4 in Annex 8, No.33-34 on CD attached in Annex 15.

E. Public awareness and dissemination of results

ACTION E.1:

Name of action: Building of summer lecture room

Time plan: I-II 2002

Progress: The summer lecture house was finished in 2003. Local workers, using mainly local materials, constructed it. It consists of large hall on the first floor (60 square meters) and smaller space on the second floor (for potential use by office, when additional funding becomes available). The curtains for the lecture house are made from the reed, gathered in Engure Lake.

There have been several events already organised in the building, such as regular meetings of Engure council, training of nature guides, presentation of the project to EU mission in Latvia and to LIFE external teams. Also lectures to visitor groups are taking place there on regular basis, done both by project staff and by staff of Laboratory of Ornithology. For example, ca 400 people have been listening to lectures and presentations in summer lecture house in 2004 (January to September), most of them – school children.

Variations/complications/delays: The activity was delayed due to the reasons mentioned in Progress report. The activity was not subcontracted.

Additional information: Action located on activity map in Annex 1. Pictures E.1 in Annex 8, No.35-38 on CD attached in Annex 15.

ACTION E.2:

Name of action: Construction of two 8-10 m high bird watching towers at the lake Engure.

Time plan: I 2002, I 2003

Progress: Construction of bird watching towers has been accomplished. The first bird watching tower was constructed in 2002, in the north end of the lake, at the boat station No. 3 in Mersrags. The second bird watching tower was constructed at the boat station “Mazsalina”, that is 1.5 km from location, initially planned for this bird watching tower (tower was planned at Dzedrupe griva in the project proposal). It was finished 2003.

Local workers were hired to perform this task; construction was supervised and coordinated by Lake Engure Nature Park.

Another achievement of the project is that Mersrags municipality has entrusted the right to manage one of the boat stations (No 3, where first bird watching tower is constructed) to the Lake Engure Nature park fund. This is a very good sign of willingness to cooperate from Mersrags municipality. For Lake Engure Nature park, this is an opportunity to develop nature friendly tourism infrastructure. Later on the additional funding for reconstruction of the boat station was obtained from Netherlands Embassy in Latvia and soon the nature exhibition will be set up there.

There have been more than 8600 visitors in LENP in year 2004 and ca one third of them have visited at least one of the bird watching towers where also information signs about birds, other nature values and project activities have been set up. Therefore, these bird watching towers do contribute largely to the education of the people and building public awareness about nature conservation in the country.

Variations/complications/delays: NO

Additional information: Action located on activity map in Annex 1. Pictures E.2. in Annex 8, No.39-42 on CD attached in Annex 15.

ACTION E.3:

Name of action: Setting up notice boards and border signs at LENP

Time plan: IV 2001-I 2002

Progress: The signs, acknowledging LIFE support, with name of the project have been set up on all the constructions, made within the project (fences for the cattle, cattle shelters, storage house for reed cutting machine, bird watching towers, summer lecture house).

The signs, marking the reserve zone of the Nature park have been also set up in March 2002, to ensure that people are informed about border of reserve zone, where no fishing and hunting is allowed.

The larger notice boards (1x1.6m), informing people about LENP, values and rules have been set up near the bird watching towers and in all boat stations and parking places. 3 information boards, describing bird fauna in the lake have been set up in all bird watching towers. 2 information boards, describing values of flora in the nature park were set up on the both ends of Orchid Trail. In total, 22 notice boards (1x1.6 m) have been set up in LENP. All notice boards were made by subcontracted design company and have guarantee of 3 years.

Large information sign has been put on the road, entering Lake Engure Nature Park. It informs visitors that they are entering LENP and provides schematic drawing of the site.

LIFE support is acknowledged on all information signs.

The system of information signs has improved greatly due to the project. The project has also elaborated the specific logos for different features in LENP that are easily distinguished and already well known in Latvia. The information signs are ensuring that main flow of the tourists is directed at Orchid trail, bird watching towers and along the pastures, thus avoiding more vulnerable areas and preventing them from damage.

Variations/complications/delays: Setting up of notice boards was delayed due to reasons mentioned in Progress report.

Additional information: Pictures E.3 in Annex 8, No.43-48 on CD attached in Annex 15.

ACTION E.4:

Name of action: Construction of nature/tourist path

Time plan: I-II 2003

Progress: This is one of the most popular objects constructed in LENP with the project funding and has lead to more improvements than initially expected in tourism infrastructure, such as new parking place near the trail financed by State Stock Company “Latvian State Forests”.

Nature path was constructed in May and June 2003, and officially opened on 27 June 2003. We estimate that close to 3000 visitors has been walking this path since official opening. It is ca 3.5 km long and begins near Ornithological station at the Eastern coast of the Lake Engure. There is also resting places constructed near bird watching tower (in 2003) and along the trail (in 2004). 3 toilets have been placed at the trail.

We have focused our story around orchids and named the path “Orchid Trail”. We have chosen orchids as main attraction of the path for valid reason – Lake Engure Nature Park holds 22 orchid species that is almost 70% of all Latvian orchid species. Please see some of our orchid species in pictures E.4 in Annex 8. More about opening of the trail please see in Progress report.

Nevertheless, the path is focusing not only on orchids; it leads through calciferous fens and presents also other plant species in this habitat. We have printed small (A.5 format, coloured) information leaflet that pictures main plants that can be seen along the path. More about this leaflet please see in description of Action E.5.

Variations/complications/delays: NO

Additional information: Action located on activity map in Annex 1. Pictures E.4 in Annex 8, No.49-54 on CD attached in Annex 15. Invitation to the opening event of the Orchid Trail attached to the Progress report.

ACTION E.5:

Name of action: Printing 3 booklets about Lake Engure Nature Park and LIFE project.

Time plan: IV 2001, I 2003, II 2004

Progress: The first booklet was printed in 1000 black and white copies at the end of 2001. It was distributed for the local people in villages Mersrags, Engure and Berzciems. It was also distributed to the municipalities and used by staff of Latvian Fund for Nature as handout material to inform about the project.

Printing of the second project booklet was a bit delayed (please see Progress report for reasons) and it was printed at the beginning of 2004. It is full colour, in Latvian and printed in 5000 copies. The booklet contains information about the project activities (e.g. reed cutting, grazing, tourism infrastructure), protection rules of the site and about main nature values of the nature park (e.g. birds, meadows, plants, forests and lake), as well as map of the site with main features on it. It was distributed to the local municipalities, in the tourism information centres and during different seminars where project staff participated. The booklet is attached in Annex 9 to this Final report.

The final project booklet was printed in September 2004; it is full colour, in Latvian and English and printed in 1000 copies. It is representation version of the project achievements, and was planned for distribution in the closing seminar of the project. The booklet is attached in Annex 9 to this Final report.

In addition to initially planned booklets, we have printed 2 more booklets/leaflets: 1. Leaflet for the Orchid trail, printed in 2003, with description and pictures of plants that can be seen when visiting the trail. It is in Latvian, full colour, A5 format and printed in 5000 copies. It is distributed to the visitors of the Orchid trail. The leaflet is attached in Annex 9 to this Final report.

2. Booklet for visitors to LENP printed in 2004, with description of tourism infrastructure, scheme of Orchid trail and main rules for visitors. It is one colour, printed in 30000 copies and distributed via Tourism information centres in Riga, Talsi and Tukums. The booklet is attached in Annex 9 to this Final report.

Variations/complications/delays: 2 additional booklets printed in 2003 and 2004.

Additional information: The first project leaflet was attached to the Interim report (Appendix 4); Orchid trail leaflet was attached to the Progress report (Appendix 7); second and final project booklets attached to this report in Annex 9. One additional booklet/leaflet attached to this report in Annex 9.

ACTION E.6:

Name of action: publication of park periodical

Time plan: I 2003 – III 2004

Progress: In the initial project proposal it was foreseen that staff of the Information centre would prepare periodicals. Since information centre has been cancelled from the project in project evaluation stage, we had to manage periodicals with our own resources. 3 periodicals have been issued and distributed together with local newspapers to local people. In these periodicals we described project actions, included interviews with interesting people (e.g. ornithologist Janis Viksne, director of Talsi Tourism information center Inese Roze, major of Engure Andris Kalnozols, biological farmer Aelita Runce and others) speaking about Engure and nature conservation issues. Periodicals also included answers to different questions concerning nature conservation, e.g. about protection zones, micro-reserves etc.

Different articles about nature conservation in Engure have been published in local and national newspapers on regular basis. Project activities are described in all booklets printed by municipalities and tourism information centres. Some of them are attached to this report in Annex 5.

Variations/complications/delays: NO

Additional information: Articles in newspapers attached to the Progress report (Appendix 6) and in Annex 5 of this report. First issue of park periodical attached to the Progress report (Appendix 5). Second and third issue of periodicals attached in Annex 6.

ACTION E.7:

Name of action: Organising seminars

Time plan: IV 2001, I 2003, II 2004

Progress: First seminar of the project was organised in 07.01.2002. in Engure municipality house. The following representatives attended the seminar: representatives from Engure, Mersrags, Kulciems and Zentene municipalities, State Forest service, State Fisheries board, Institute of Biology. This seminar was organised more as information to the stakeholders and invitation to cooperate.

The second project seminar was held in Engure, in August 25-28, 2002. More than 70 participants attended the seminar, representatives from Regional Environmental Boards, State Forest service, administrations of protected areas, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, NGOs. The seminar was organised in cooperation with EMERALD project (Darudec). More about seminar please see in Interim report, Appendix 5.

The final project seminar was held in Riga, on the last day of the project – 30 September. It was attended by 50 participants including the representatives from Ministry of Environment, local municipalities, Environmental Protection Fund, State Forest Service, State Stock Company “Latvian Forests”, members of Engure council, Nature Protection Board, Baltic Environmental Forum, University of Latvia, Institute of Biology, Tourism information centres, LIFE external team, representatives of other LIFE projects in Latvia and people involved in the project.

Director of the Latvian Fund for Nature opened the final seminar, following the presentations by representatives of Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection Board and Institute of Biology. After these presentations the presentation by project managers was taking place, followed by evaluation of the project by municipality representatives, LIFE external team, State Stock Company “Latvian State Forests” and Lake Engure Nature park fund. At the second part of the seminar, the film about LENP and project (please see description of Action E.8 for more details) was presented. In summary, all representatives involved in further management of LENP expressed their willingness to continue supporting management of LENP; the support was expressed also by municipality representatives and governmental representatives - State Stock Company and Nature Protection Board.

During the project implementation, several small-scale meetings were held individually to discuss different matters of project implementation. More about individual meetings with different stakeholders please see in Interim report.

Variations/complications/delays: 2^nd seminar of the project was organised earlier than foreseen in the project, for reasons described in the Interim report.

Additional information: Seminar program of the 2^nd project seminar was attached to the Interim report. Invitation to the final project seminar attached in the Annex 7. Pictures E.7 in Annex 8, No.55-56 on CD attached in Annex 15.

ACTION E.8:

Name of action: Film about Lake Engure Nature Park

Time plan: II-III 2003

Progress: At the beginning of the project it was decided that we are not subcontracting any filming company, but producing the film ourselves, in cooperation with Nature Film studios. Please see Interim report for explanation of this decision.

The filming of project activities is finished. All major actions of the project have been filmed. The deadline for producing the film was postponed to the end of the project – to be able to include more activities and have more complete overview of the project in the film. The film was presented in the final seminar of the project in 30 September 2004. It has been produced in 2 languages, Latvian and English. The English version of the film in BETACAM cassette is attached to this report in Annex 11.

In addition to planned film we have short film about reed management in Lake Engure. Based on the material, filmed for LIFE project, Nature Film studios have made the short film called “Management of reed in Lake Engure Nature Park”. The video was shown on Latvian national TV and presented in international seminar about reed management, held in Finland on 21-22 August 2003. The film (in VHS format) was attached to the Progress report.

Variations/complications/delays: Project itself is producing the film (thus to avoid overhead and extra costs), instead of subcontracting the filming company as foreseen in proposal. The reasons for this change are described in Interim report. The deadline for film has been postponed to the end of the project for reasons described in Progress report.

Additional information: Film on VHS about reed management was attached to the Progress report (Appendix 8). Project film on BETACAM in Annex 11. Pictures E.8 in Annex 8, No.57-58 on CD attached in Annex 15.

ACTION E.9:

Name of action: Creating home page of LENP and LIFE project

Time plan: IV 2001

Progress: The home page of the project is constructed under the home page of the Latvian Fund for Nature. It contains description of the project, as well as regular news of the project, pictures of the activities; also reports are posted on the home page. Home page is in Latvian and English. There is also link to LIFE Homepage. Home page of the project can be found on www.ldf.lv. Information about project in English can be found on http://www.ldf.lv/pub/?doc_id=27945

The home page of the LENP was launched in September 2004, it contains more practical information about the park, the visiting and protection rules, project management activities, nature values, interactive map with main habitats and management actions. Home page can be found on www.eedp.lv. It is planned for Latvian and English, but it is only in Latvian at the moment. LENP fund will continue updating and improving of the home page after the project.

Variations/complications/delays: Activity was delayed due to reasons described in Interim report.

Additional information: Printouts of home page, containing information about project (in Latvian and English) were attached to the Interim report (in Appendix 8). Printouts of the home page of LENP in Annex 10.

F. Overall project operation

ACTION F.1:

Name of action: Monitoring of project performance

Time plan: III 2002, III 2003, III 2004

Progress: Lake Engure Council meetings were held in December 2001, January and May 2002, March, April and October 2003, April and July 2004. Project managers were reporting to the Council members about the progress of project activities. Council approved the project activities and solutions to problems.

The interim technical report and progress report have been placed on the project home page.

Variations/complications/delays: NO

Additional information: Pictures F.1 in Annex 8, No.59-60 on CD attached in Annex 15.

ACTION F.2:

Name of action: Administration of the project.

Time plan: IV 2001- III 2004

Progress: 2 project managers were hired by the project on full time basis – Mr Roberts Šiliņš, director of Lake Engure Nature park and Ms Inga Račinska – project manager from Latvian Fund for Nature.

2 inspectors were hired on full time basis, ensuring control over the protection regime in LENP.

1 accountant were hired on half time basis, responsible for controlling the financial aspects of the project and financial reports, as well as for reporting to Lake Engure Council on meetings, dealing with financial matters.

Different experts were hired on short-term basis for different actions; their salaries are included in the costs of respective actions.

Project managers ensured the project publicity, being rather high during 2003 and 2004. Video about reed management in Lake Engure Nature park was shown on national TV and international reed management seminar (please see more detail in description of action E.8). Our idea about returning Latvian native Blue Cow to Mersrags meadows raised high media interest and definitely attracted attention to LIFE project. Both local (Liepaja) and national (LNT) televisions have been filming in Engure and interviewing project staff about this idea and project was broadcasted on both televisions. In all these events we announce the LIFE-Nature support, thus providing information about this programme to wider public. There have been several publications including article in national newspaper “Nature diversity” and national magazine “Environmental News”. Copies of these articles (in Latvian) were attached to Progress report (in Appendix 6).

Project managers participated with presentations in different seminars, for example:

· Management of meadows – Nordic and Baltic solutions. 28-31 August 2002, Saaremaa, Estonia.

· Global Biodiversity Forum, Workshop on Agriculture, Wetlands and Water Resources. 15-17 November 2002, Valencia, Spain.

· LIFE-Nature: Experiences and future plans of the Baltic and EU Member states. 6-7 March 2003, Vilnius, Lithuania.

· Project implementation training course. 11-12 March 2003, Sigulda, Latvia.

· Management of wetlands in protected areas. 29-30 April 2004, Ergli, Latvia.

· Management of coastal habitats and grasslands - experience exchange for improved know-how" 23 – 24 September 2004, Hademeeste, Estonia.

The exchange of experience and know-how was ensured also via several meetings and field visits of experts of different levels to Engure, for example:

· Meeting with Riga municipality Environmental department, 20.07.2004.

· Visit of staff of North Vidzeme Biosphere reserve.

· Visit of staff of Nature Protection Board, 14.07.2004.

· Visit of national news program Panorama on 14.07.2004 (shown on national TV on 15.07.2004).

· Visit of EC mission in Latvia, 19.08.2004.

Variations/complications/delays: NO

Additional information: Copies of articles in Progress report (Appendix 6). Pictures F.2 in Annex 8, No.61-63 on CD attached in Annex 15.

ACTION F.3:

Name of action: Study Tours to Vainameri (Estonia) and Hornborga (Sweden)

Time plan: IV 2001, II 2002

Progress: First project Study Tour was organised in 24-27 July 2002 – to Vainameri (Matsalu and Hiiumaa) in Estonia. More information about this study tour please see in Interim report.

The second study tour was organised in 4-9 June 2004 – Sweden. The participants were members of the Lake Engure council. It was decided during the Council meeting in April that a study tour should be organised for Engure Council members to learn from Swedish experience of managing wetlands and to transfer their experience to Engure. 8 participants including council members Andris Kalnozols, Alberts Neilands, Janis Grigalis, Viktors Licis, Guntis Dislers, Talis Goba, film director Kaspars Goba and project manager Roberts Silins travelled by ferry to Stockholm and then by project bus to Takern and Hornborga lakes. They were assisted by staff of Ostergottland municipality and discussed different wetland management techniques, tourism infrastructure and use of EU Structural funds for its development etc. The evaluation of the study tour was very positive from all members of the tour and they ensured that findings of this tour would be implemented in further management of LENP.

Variations/complications/delays: NO

Additional information: Program of the Study Tour to Estonia attached to Interim report (in Appendix 7). Program of the Study Tour to Sweden attached to this report in Annex 12. Pictures F.3 in Annex 8, No.64 on CD attached in Annex 15.

ACTION F.4:

Name of action: Independent audit of the project

Time plan: III 2004

Progress: The project audit was done by the “Revidentu Serviss” Ltd. The audit statements please see attached to the Financial Report.

Hired expert undertook the internal audit in addition to audit planned in the project proposal. Her audit included:

1) Field visits to check all tourism infrastructure objects constructed, fences built and herds of cattle grazing on meadows;

2) Interviews with director of LENP;

3) Interviews with Kulciems, Engure and Mersrags majors;

4) Check of minutes of Engure Council meetings;

5) Check of project Interim and Progress reports.

Auditor’s main remarks concerning project are following:

The project has been implemented as planned and main objectives are achieved, it is important to follow up the activities of LENP fund and, when necessary, assist them in further management of LENP. Smaller remarks that will be implemented are listed below:

- Continuous update of habitat maps produced by the project is necessary to serve as background for evaluation of effectiveness of management measures.

- The process of grazing management should be more and more passed to the local farmers to avoid focusing too much on grazing activities.

Variations/complications/delays: NO

Additional information: Audit statement in Financial Report.

SECTION 4. Overall Project assessment

4.1. Have the Project achieved its objectives? Successes and failures.

The main project objectives, as described in project proposal, are analyzed one by one in following chapters.

4.1.1. Protection of rare and endangered habitats and species.

This objective is achieved by evaluation of the values (A.1), restoration and maintenance of shore and coastal grassland habitats, freshwater habitats (C and D), establishment of micro-reserves (A.3) and regular control over the protection regime (D.4). Monitoring (D.3) provides us with the data that the management measures taken are correct and should be continued in the same direction, to obtain the desired result. As for learning points from the project, it should be said that no management effect could be observed as quickly as we sometimes plan in the project. All the measures taken are bringing their first benefits (in form of species and habitats restored to natural condition) in longer time period that project could observe. Thus, in the report we can only indicate that management measures seem to be directed and planned correct, but final outcome of measures taken today will only be seen in several years.

4.1.2. Restoration and maintenance of at least 107 ha of meadows.

This objective is achieved – 120 ha of meadow habitats (including 1630*, 5130, 6410) are restored (C.1) and maintained by grazing (D.1) and reed cutting (D.2). They will be further maintained by LENP. Please see more about future maintenance of the park in Chapter 4.6. The project has gained the acceptance of the local people and several landowners have expressed their will to include their lands in grazed areas. As more cattle will be available, the grazed areas can be expanded to restore more grasslands around lake Engure. In future, the system of involving local people might differ, requesting more input from them (e.g. in form of constructing the fence in return for being provided with cattle etc.). From this project we have learned that sometimes not only nature, but also people require more time than we can afford to offer them. Especially in more remote areas, the people are very conservative and do not immediately trust “strangers from Riga”. To overcome this barrier, it is very important to have local staff working on project (as in our case the project manager, inspectors and all workers) and to provide people with information and wait. It takes more than one year for them to see and agree that nature conservation is not always against their interests. And it is very important to consider the socio-economic situation when planning the project to allow enough preparation time for actions that are depending on support from local people.

4.1.3. 50 ha of especially valuable forest saved from cutting.

This objective was modified and is broadened now. We cancelled the action B.1 – forest purchase and replaced it by the concept of establishment of micro-reserves (A.3). This is more cost-efficient way of protecting valuable habitats and provides that the land remains in the property of their owners, just with very strict restrictions. The law on Compensation that is planned to be adopted will be compensating the loss of income from the areas that are designed as micro-reserves. By re-planning these actions, we have managed to establish 45 micro-reserves on 718.8 ha of valuable habitats (most of them – forests) thus exceeding the planned amount.

4.1.4. At least 2000 visitors per year visiting LENP thus contributing to the economic development of the region.

This objective has been achieved with help of actions E.1, E.2, E.3, E.4, E.5, E.6, E.7, E.8 and E.9. The target of 2000 visitors has been exceeded 4 times in 2004, when 8600 visitors have visited LENP until September. The number of visitors is not the target itself, but the fact that those people who visit Engure are educated about nature values and need for their conservation is a great achievement. Please see more about the tourism management and the socio-economic benefits in the description of respective actions and in Chapter 4.5.

4.1.5. Established basis for further education and management of the LENP.

The basis for education was established by actions already mentioned in previous chapter. In particular, the construction of summer lecture house (E.1) has to be mentioned. This action is largely contributing to the education of school children that are the most numerous target group. The training of local nature guides was financed by another project, but it was coordinated with LIFE project and also contributed to setting up local network of nature tourism support group.

4.2. Conservation benefits of pSCI/SPA and species/habitats targeted

Individual site protection rules were elaborated in cooperation with project staff and approved by Cabinet of Ministers on 08.04.2004. These rules will contribute to the overall protection of valuable species and habitats in the Nature Park. They set different management zones within the park and regulate the protection regime of these zones.

Establishment of micro-reserves (please see more in description of action A.3) also provides direct conservation benefits for several species and habitats, such as Transition mires and quaking bogs 7140, Calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus 7210*, Alkaline fens 7230, Western taiga 9010*, Fennoscandian deciduous swamp forests 9080* and Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior 91E0*; species Aquila pomarina, Bubo bubo, Haliaetus albicilla, Dendrocopus leucotos, Dactylorhiza cruenta, Orphys insectifera, Hydrocotyle vulgaris and Corallorrhiza trifida.

Restored grasslands provide habitat for following rare and endangered species - Schoenus ferrugineus, Dactylorhiza incarnata, Dactylorhiza baltica, Dactylorhiza maculata , Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Cladium mariscus, Myrica gale, Juncus gerardii, Glayx maritima, Blysmus rufus, Triglochin maritimum and are containing habitats Molinia meadows on calcareous soils 6410, Calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus and species of the Caricion davallianae 7210*, Juniperus communis formations on heaths or calcareous grasslands 5130 and Boreal Baltic coastal meadows 1630*.

Other habitats and species are targeted at less direct level, e.g. via re-directing the tourism pressure on fragile habitats, preventing hunting and fishing in bird breeding season, preventing illegal fishing, cutting the reed thus maintaining the freshwater habitats, controlling the tourism to prevent destruction of dune habitats by driving and trampling etc.

4.3. Incentive/pump-priming effects and networking

Project staff has participated in many seminars, sharing the experience and thus contributing to the development of semi-natural grazing approach in management of protected areas. Also other project activities, such as reed cutting and involvement of local people in the management of habitats are interesting and innovative example for Latvia. We have shared our experience in every seminar we participated. Please see more about seminars in description of actions E.7 and F.2. To mention some of the presentations, we have made presentations of the project in LIFE-Coop – BEF Wetland management seminar, Annual meetings of LDF, Annual meeting of botanical society, Global biodiversity forum meeting, Saaremaa, visit of Ramsar Convention European Regional coordinator in Latvia, Vainameri, North Vidzeme grazing seminar, visit of EC mission, visit of Project “Management of coastal forest habitats”, LIFE Coop - BEF Coastal grassland seminar, project “Management and conservation of traditional landscapes in the Nordic and Baltic countries and in the Republic of Karelia” and many others.

4.4. Innovation, demonstration and value added by EU funding

4.4.1. Innovation and demonstration

The innovative and demonstration effect of the project was already described in Chapter 2.1 of this Report. It has to be stressed again that Engure project was innovative for Latvia and the approach we used have proven to be very effective and is taken up by other protected areas in Latvia. Project has received also very positive media coverage (including unplanned coverage as one short film about reed management in Engure shown on national TV and 10 minutes national news coverage about project activities in summer 2004, as well as several articles in national newspapers about Latvian Blue cattle in Engure). These media coverage have been effective in building the awareness about nature values in Engure and in general among general public.

4.4.2. Additional funds attracted to the site thanks to LIFE project

Thanks to funding provided by LIFE, it was possible to begin management of habitats and tourism infrastructure in Engure, thus gaining public acceptance, improving public awareness and attracting also interest of other funding agencies to supporting nature conservation in Engure. As a result of this, a project proposal from Engure fund was approved by Embassy of the Netherlands and 5500 LVL provided for improvement of tourism infrastructure in LENP (for setting up nature exhibition in boating station provided to LENP by Mersrags municipality, please see more in description of action E.2).

Another case of LIFE project serving as seed money for further activities is invitation to participate in GEF Baltic Sea Regional project. Engure was chosen as Demonstration area for integrated coastal zone management activities providing additional 60000 USD funding provided for mowing, grazing of more grasslands, tourism infrastructure (small information center on northern side of lake) and nature guides training. More information on this project can be found on Helsinki Commission website (www.helcom.fi) under Baltic Sea Regional project, description of coastal zone activities and link to LIFE project at http://www.helcom.fi/bsrp/ICZMintroduction.pdf

Main actions in this project:

9 local people were trained as nature guides in this project; they will contribute to the further development of nature friendly tourism in the area. Their findings and tourism routes elaborated are published in the booklet, funded by this LIFE project (please see attached to this report in Annex 10).
The tractor was purchased for cutting the grass in the dry parts of shore and coastal meadows. It was also used in LIFE project - for restoration of Mersrags meadow in 2004.

Local municipalities also got more involved in setting up nature friendly tourism infrastructure, thanks to the project. They began to realize the value of nature for attracting tourists and improving the economic situation in municipalities. Mersrags municipality with assistance of PHARE project set up the bird watching tower in Mersrags and also the notice boards, describing the values of coastal meadows. LIFE project staff prepared the text for these notice boards.

State Stock Company “Latvian State Forests” has set up the parking place near Orchid trail, thus contributing to the development of tourism infrastructure in LENP.

4.5. Socio-economic effects

Due to the improved tourist access and more information in media, more tourists begin visiting LENP. That is having direct impact on all those involved in tourism business. The boat stations are developing, they are improving their service and attracting more visitors. At the same time, we have placed information boards in all boating stations (action E.3) thus preventing the damage from un-informed tourists to the nature values. The number of tourists has increased up to 8000 in 2004. Talsi and Tukums tourism information centers are actively involved in tourism information, the news issue of Talsi TV was just recently having 12 minutes story about Lake Engure Nature Park. Local people are involved in cattle management, some of them also employed in reed cutting and maintenance of tourism infrastructure. The hotel in Berzciems is recently finished and they are cooperating with LENP. All these changes have happened during last years and mainly thanks to the project activities in the region. The overall attitude of local people towards nature conservation has become more positive as they have received more information and possibilities to participate.

4.6. The future: prolonging the effects of the Project/further actions needed

Environmental protection fund has supported the project proposal for further maintenance of LENP with 8500 LVL and it is a good beginning for governmental support to LENP after the project. The maintenance of park does not require large investments as LIFE project has set the good basis for management of habitats and tourism infrastructure. LENP would just require funding for salaries of inspectors and director and also some smaller funds for maintenance of infrastructure and gasoline. The project has prepared the “business plan” for further maintenance of cattle for grazing on biologically valuable grasslands and at the same time providing the financial income for Nature Park. This plan is in Latvian and is attached to the report in Annex 13. According to calculations made in the plan, LENP could begin having the regular income from cattle as from year 2006 – with 2500 LVL in 2006, 1510 LVL in 2007, 2300 LVL in 2008, 1700 LVL in 2009 and 4850 LVL in 2010. If the LENP staff will follow the recommendations made in this business plan, the cattle will bring income that could be used for maintenance of infrastructure of the park, as initially planned in the project.

Ministry of Environment is planning the re-organization of the system of management of protected areas, but the final decision is not taken yet. Most likely there will be regional structures established for management of Natura 2000 sites that would receive regular funding from governmental budget. It this approach is taken forward, the infrastructure and administration already established in LENP would have the good chance to serve as one of these regional structures and be responsible for management of several protected areas in the vicinity. But, it has to be underlined that no official decision has been taken on this matter yet, Ministry of Environment with assistance of experts of Latvian Fund for Nature has done the assessment of situation and now is planning further steps.

APPENDIX

1.      Project activity map

2.      Habitat map

3.      Map of micro-reserves

4.      Monitoring report

5.      Articles in newspapers, municipality publications

6.      Park periodicals

7.      Invitation to the final seminar

8.      Pictures

9.      Project booklets/leaflets

10. Printouts of LENP home page

11. Project film

12. Program of the Study Tour to Sweden

13. Cattle management plan (in Latvian)

List of identifiable products already submitted in previous reports

CD with pictures and drawings from the project

Status

Accomplished

Areas restored:

First project meadow (restored in 2002)