EC LIFE-Nature project “Mires” has come to an end

On December 1, 2008 the EC LIFE-Nature project “Implementation of Mire Habitat Management Plan for Latvia” that lasted for 4 years was completed. The project has been realised by Latvian Fund for Nature in cooperation with 16 project partners.

The project sites were especially protected nature areas in Latvia – Cena Mire Nature Reserve, Stikli Mires Nature Reserve, Klāņi Mire Nature Reserve and Veseta Floodplain Mire Nature Reserve. 

Objectives and tasks of the project:

• Secure the best possible conservation status of priority habitats and species of Community Importance,
• Realise the priority mire conservation actions set “Mire Habitat Management Plan”
• Stop the further degradation of the raised bog habitats that have been influenced by drainage by realising the management and monitoring actions
• Involve local society and stakeholders in the conservation and management activities
• Raise public awareness and enhance the understanding of the current nature conservation issues, habitats of EU importance and Natura 2000 network.

Bird watching tower built in Cena Mire

Project results:

• Four management plans for the 4 project sites – Cena Mire, Stikli Mires, Klāņi Mire and Veseta Floodplain Mire Nature Reserves elaborated and approved
• Active raised bog restoration measures implemented in the 3 project sites (320 ha of raised bog restored); in total 351 peat dams and damming areas were built on the drainage ditches to stop the raised bog desiccation 
• The success of the raised bog restoration and fen habitat management has been proved by the results of groundwater level and habitat monitoring
• In total 4,9 ha of transition mires and quaking bogs, Fennoscandian mineral-rich springs and spring fens were maintained by removing shrubs and reed
• In total 61,7 ha of Western taiga forests and Tetrao urogallus lek areas were managed
• Two nature trails and watching towers were set in Cena Mire and Vasenieki Mires to educate people about values of the active raised bog habitats and raise awareness about the need of raised bog conservation and management
• In total 20 information boards and signs set up in the project sites
• To educate the people 9 seminars were organised, including an International seminar “Raised Bog Conservation and Management “
• 5 informative booklets about the project and project sites in Latvian and English were published
• Educational materials for teachers and schoolchildren, including a “Mire Guide” were published
• Raised Bog Days organised in the 3 project areas that included the Photo exhibition “Let’s get acquainted with Latvian Mires” and the visit of the project sites
• Mire Guidelines “Mire Conservation and Management in Especially protected Nature areas of Latvia “ were published

In total 351 dams were built on the drainage ditches

After the end of the project the nature trail in Cena Mire Nature Reserve will be under the responsibility of “Riga Forests” but about the nature trail and watching tower in Vasenieki Mire should care it’s stakeholder State Joint-Stock Company “Latvian State Forests” and local municipalities.

Project results were finalised in the 3 project seminars – October 3, 2008 in Jaunkalsnava Municipality, November 7, 2008 Usma Municipality, November 25, 2008 in Olaine Museum of History and Art.

More in detail about the project see here.

More about the project actions see in the 300 photos here. 

One can get to know the mires only visiting them

Valda Baroniņa
 EC LIFE Project “Mires” information coordinat

05.12.2008.