New nature trail and watching tower in Cena Mire Nature Reserve 

On June 15, 2007 Latvian Fund for Nature and Rīga Forest Agency invites to the opening of the nature trail and watching tower in Cena Mire. The 5 km long nature trail is made to introduce the visitors with the peculiar world of mires.

Cena Mire nature trail is the one that is situated most close to Rīga. It is located in an especially protected area where the visitors are asked to care about the nature values of the site. Walking along the nature trail, the visitor passes information boards. It is possible to get to know about the origin and development of Cena Mire that previously was one of the largest raised bogs in Latvia but at present most of it has been destroyed due to drainage and peat extraction. The information boards and signs tell also about the plant and animal species found in the site, as well as management actions carried out in Cena Mire. From the 6 m high watching tower it is possible to observe bird species and the wonderful raised bog landscape.

Watching tower in Cena Mire

At the opening of the nature trail a short address was given by Jānis Vazdiķis director of Rīga Forest Agency, Vita Pūķe deputy director of Babīte Municipality and Ārija Spuņģe director of Olaine Museum of History and Art.

Many thankful words about the qualitative work were in the address of the builder of the nature trail and watching tower Juris Segliņš.

Every participant walking for the first time along the nature trail got a Field Guide with colourful photos of mire habitats, plant and animal species.

During the excursion the project manager Māra Pakalne, ornithologist Aivars Petriņš and invertebrate expert Mārtiņš Kalniņš introduced with the nature values of Cena Mire. All the visitors of the nature trail had a possibility to take part in a contest “The best observer of the nature trail”. One of most observant was Gundega Freimane from Nature Protection Board and Mudīte Paegle from Latvian Radio 1.

The nature trail and watching tower was established in the frame of EC LIFE project “Implementation of Mire Habitat Management Plan for Latvia” realised by the Latvian Fund for Nature.

EC LIFE-Nature Programme and Rīga Forest Agency financed the building of the nature trail. The trail and tower were finished in May 2007.

How to find a nature trail in Cena Mire? It is necessary to drive about 6 km from Rīga side road, along Rīga – Liepāja highway until bus stop “Annas”. Then there is a sign to the left “Nature trail”. One must drive about 6,5km until the sign “Cena Mire Nature trail”. Map with location of Cena Mire in Rīga District can be seen here.

More photos about the opening of the nature trail here.

Valda Baroniņa
EC LIFE project "Mires" information coordinator

Māra Pakalne
 Project manager

18.06.2007.