International seminar "Raised Bog Conservation and management " has come to an end

In the frame of the EC LIFE-Nature Project "Implementation of Mire Habitat Management Plan for Latvia” an International seminar "Raised Bog Conservation and management " was organised from June 30 until July 4, 2008. It included also excursions to the Project sites, where raised bog restoration was carried out   - Cena Mire, Stikli Mires and Klāņi Mire.

In the seminar both there were both Latvian and foreign participants. Seminar consisted of two parts. The first part was in Lielupe where the conference participants gave paper and presentation telling about their work in mire conservation, restoration and research. It was possible to get acquainted with mire restoration experience in Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Russia as well as to get to know about mire rarities. The manager of the EC LIFE project “Implementation of Mire Habitat Management Plan” Mara Pakalne told about the project results and experience in raised bog conservation and restoration. Everyone had a possibility to see a shot about the project produced by "Documentary Film and Photo Association ELM MEDIA".

On the next days seminar participants went to Cena Mire, Stikli Mires and Klāņi Mire where it was possible to get to know about the management actions carried out in the project sites. The project manager and experts introduced with the nature values of the sites and the results in raised bog restoration after building dams on the drainage ditches and rising water level.

Project manager Mara Pakalne  and participants get acquainted with the practical part of raised bog restoration

As guides acted also project experts. In Cena Mire it was possible to get to know about site geology and paleobotanical studies as the students from the faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences from University of Latvia have come to demonstrate, how peat samples are taken. 

Seminar was well -organised and even weather conditions did not want to spoil it as all the time the weather was sunny. Every seminar participant went home with a new experience about Latvian mires.

Daiga Brakmane
Latvian Fund for Nature

coordinator of public relations,
participant of seminar

Expert V.Spuņģis tells about bog invertebrates	The peat sample is studied  to get to know about raised bog origin and development history	Participants enjoy  the seminar

07.07.2008.