A half-million hectares of land will be covered in the third natural census season

The third season of natural census has also begun with the vegetation season and spring coming. This year, 247 natural experts will study Latvia's territory on behalf of the Nature Protection Administration (Administration), listing the protected habitats of the European Union (EU) - homogeneous areas where large biodiversity is present.
The attention of experts will be around half a million hectares in a wide area where they will see different types of habitats, such as biologically valuable grassland, natural forest stands, marshes, avocados, human-affected sea beasts and dunes, rivers, lakes, caves and rocks.
From April to November, it is planned to survey both the state and local governments, as well as the property owned by private owners in 91 Latvian provinces. At the end of March, an informative letter has already been sent to 30 thousand land owners that the natural habitats in his or her land unit will be viewed or the property may be crossed to inventory the adjacent land unit.
“The nature of Latvia is diverse and unique, and it is now possible for everyone to enjoy, evaluate, understand and preserve the future. It cannot be denied that a person as part of an ecosystem has a significant impact on it, and so much importance is being given to natural research by knowledgeable specialists around the world. Biotopes or habitats, which are biologically valuable in Latvia, have developed in a long time, so it is important to identify them so that they can continue to manage properly,” says Irisa Mukāne, head of natural census.
The owner of the land has the right to participate in the survey of the property and to ask questions regarding it. To join an expert at the time of tracking, by meeting an expert with a certificate issued by the administration (see figure 1), or to submit a written submission (skaitamdabu@daba.gov.lv or church street 3, Sigulda, Sigulda municipality, LV-2150) by 15 May for the willingness to participate in the survey of his or her property.
The expert's explanation of natural values at the time of the survey is informative. If a protected habitat of EU importance is detected, after the data quality check in 2020, the owner will receive written information and at the same time will also be available in the management system of the management of natural data (https://ozols.gov.lv/pub). This will allow land owners to save time and financial resources, as well as facilitate resolving different issues, obtaining permits, drawing up detailed plans, etc.
In order to explain the process, its necessity and provide answers to citizens' questions, seminars in different municipalities will be organised this year. More information on natural census, planned activities, answers to the most popular questions, public information free seminars available at www.skaitamdabu.gov.lv or www.daba.gov.lv
The identification of habitats takes place within the framework of the natural census or THE EU Cohesion Fund project “establishing preconditions for better preservation of biodiversity and the protection of ecosystems in Latvia”. The implementation of all natural census activities is planned until 2023.
Image No 1 expert certificate model

The information was prepared by:
Ilze Reinica, Nature Protection Board, assistant of natural census
ilze.reinika@daba.gov.lv
Tel.: 27858275
Image No. 2 Natural census process

Parish map