Nature education in Estonia, Latvia and Russia promoted during the fair „School 2013” in Riga, Latvia

Within the Estonia – Latvia – Russia cross border cooperation project „Promoting nature education as efficient mean of awareness raising” the Nature Conservation Agency for the first time took part in the fair „School 2013” in Riga (Latvia) representing also all 14 project partners from Estonia, Russia and Latvia.

From 28th February till 3rd March visitors of the fair received information about different education possibilities in Latvia, including nature education. Employees of the Nature Conservation Agency informed about Nature Education Centres (NEC) in Latvia and Estonia, about their offers and possibilities for wider public. Attractive nature education stand was well attended by teachers, young people, families with children, and they could try out nature investigation activities together with the symbol of the project – little lizard Hugo.


The flower crown for mid-summer festival was prepared and involved youngsters learned about protected plants that are not permitted to put into the crown, they also got to know what links horse and chestnut and saw a seed of one of the rarest plants in Latvia – floating Water-nut (Trapa natans), etc.

During the fair just a very small part of the emerging NECs' offer has been presented. Soon there will be different exhibitions, lessons in nature for school children, events for families, etc. Everyone will be welcome in NEC “Ziemelvidzeme” in Salacgriva, “Meza maja” in Kemeri, “Vecupites” in Koceni municipality, “Razna” in Rezekne municipality and “Pauguri” in Ligatne Nature Trails to learn more about nature starting from the summer 2013. More information on NECs: www.daba.gov.lv.

Taking into consideration the great interest of visitors, as well as this year’s positive experience, the Nature Conservation Agency plans to participate in the fair “School 2104” again and to provide actual information on nature education activities and NECs in Latvia, Estonia and Russia.

The project „Promoting nature education as efficient mean of awareness rising” duration is 30 months – till the 30th September 2014. Total funding of the project is 1 499 977 EUR or 1 054 190 LVL (90% – 1 349 979 EUR or 948 771 LVL is co-financed by Estonia – Latvia – Russia Cross Border Cooperation Programme within European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument 2007 – 2013 and 10% – 149 998 EUR or 105 419 LVL by Project partners).

Press release prepared by Ilze Vanaga
Project communication specialist
ilze.vanaga@daba.gov.lv, phone: +371 26332768
Project home page: www.daba.gov.lv