On February 26 in Ķemeri an introductory seminar of the project “LIFE EcosystemServices” was successfully completed. Seminar was organized by the Nature Conservation Agency of Latvia in cooperation with project partners - association "Baltic coasts" and Saulkrasti municipality.

Although in many parts of Europe evaluation of ecosystem services is an essential part of decision-making, thus helping in sustainable decision making, project "LIFE EcosystemServices" is one of the first projects which will investigate ecosystem services evaluation methodology and application for Latvia.

During the seminar project manager Sintija Kordule and environmental economist Līga Brūniņa presented project main goals, objectives and expected outcomes. Planned creation of ecosystem services evaluation methodology for Latvia and its approbation in two pilot areas in the framework of the project also was presented.

During the seminar Nature Conservation Agency (NCA) Pieriga regional administration manager Andris Širovs introduced target audiences with the concept of ecosystem services and ecosystem valuation principles and the representative of the organization “Vides risinājumu institūts” Uģis Rotbergs presented information about the sustainable development aspects, explaining the problem of global degradation of natural resources and ways to improve the situation. NCA representative Gunta Gabrāne introduced audience with the outcome of the "Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services" (IPBES) meeting.

During the second part of the seminar participants had a possibility to  plan sustainable scenarios for different kind of infrastructure maintenance in coastal areas and see the project pilot area Jaunkemeri.

Seminar was attended by the territorial planning professionals, environmental protection and non-governmental organizations as well as representatives of coastal municipalities.

PHOTO GALLERY

PRESENTATIONS (in Latvian language)

Seminar is organized in the framework of project LIFE13 ENV/LV/000839 "LIFE EcoystemServices" which is implemented by the Nature Conservation Agency of Latvia, association "Baltic coasts" and Saulkrasti Municipality. Project is co-financed by the European Union and Latvian Environmental Protection Fund.