The Nature Protection Board calls for participation in events for the protection of small swans

The Nature Protection Board has joined hundreds of organisations, entrepreneurs and individual supporters from across Europe, engaging in an historic expedition devoted to the protection of Europe's smallest swans from disappearance.
“Swan flight” will be the first attempt in the history of the world to track the migration flight of the small swans (Cygnus columbianus bewickii) from the air. The representative of the British Environment Protection Organisation Wildfowl and Wetland Trust, Sasha Dencha, will go through a motorised paraplan in September of that year so that, together with the small swans from their nesting places in the polar areas of Russia, more than 7000 km in a long flight across 11 countries, including Latvia.
Motorised Paraplan is a simple parachute in the shape of a wing, the links of which will be attached to Sasha with a small engine or so-called “propeller” on the back. When they flew at the same speed and height as swans, Sasha would meet the same feelings as these birds in their long way: strong storms, sea crossings and chilling cold. Sasha's experience in the air will be able to follow with the help of modern technology and satellite.
On his way, Sasha and her support team will also meet with people living in a small swimming route – reindeer growers, farmers, hunters, etc. – and will try to find out why the number of small swans has decreased by half over the past 20 years and currently reaches less than 18 000 individuals.
Sasha's arrival in Latvia is planned in October of that year. It is planned that she will participate in a seminar dedicated to the small swabs and wetlands, which is planned by the Nature Protection Board, in collaboration with Dmitry Boiko and the association of the swans, to organize Lubana's wetlands in the information centre in October. In his way over Latvia, Sasha will also cross the other small swabs.
However, the campaign dedicated to the small swabs has begun now – until 31 May, 13-18-year-old young people are invited to participate in the video competition “Gulbites, Swabs, Move Footers!”. To participate in the competition, you must go to places where you can observe the main promotional hero - the small bed. However, during these journeys, it is necessary to try not only to observe this particular bird, but also to focus on other developments in nature, thus creating a video that will promote protected areas of nature and raise awareness of the importance of their existence. The winners will be able to meet with the paraplant Sasha Danny when she will cross Latvia in October, as well as the video (of course only with the consent of the authors) will publish shares in the “Swan flight” website. www.flightoftheswans.org. There will also be a surprise prize from www.skyhunters.eu
The competition will be evaluated by the jury, which will announce the winners of the international stock at the final event of Lubana in October 2016. Additional information on the stock and tender can be found on the website www.daba.gov.lv.
More about expedition “swimming flight” can be found on the website www.flightoftheswans.org
Additional information:
Little Gulbis is a endangered bird species: since mid-1980, their population has decreased almost half and still continues to shrink. The little Gulbis does not nest in Latvia but is regularly rested and fed during travel in spring and autumn.
The information was prepared by:
Social attiecību and Environmental Education Division of the dabas aizsardzības Administration
Additional information:
Agnes Balanina
Nature Protection pārvaldes
Pierre Regional Administrations
Head of the dabas izglītības Centre “meža House”
Mob. tel.: 26424972