Environment
Chanting "No to cages!", "Freedom for chickens!", and "No to cruelty – cage-free chickens for the future!", on Wednesday, April 1st, several dozen people gathered outside the Saeima, calling for the reintroduction and advancement of a bill to ban the keeping of laying hens in industrial cages in Latvia.
In the spring, migrating geese cause severe damage to winter crops and grasslands, often destroying them to the point where nothing can sprout or grow. To protect their crops from bird attacks, farmers use various deterrent methods, Latvian Radio reported on 1st April.
An attractive place has been created in Ludza at the foot of the castle mound – an illuminated pedestrian walkway or 'Great Lakefront Promenade' stretches along the lakeside, where the waterfront area has also been improved.
In 2024, the amount of municipal waste generated per person in the EU was 517 kg, 6 kg more than in 2023 (511 kg). Compared with 2014, the amount increased by 38 kg (+8%), according to Eurostat figures published on March 30th.
In anticipation of the return of migratory birds and in preparation for the nesting season, the Latvian Ornithological Society (LOB) invites everyone to attend Bird Day events on April 11 and 12, which will take place in various locations across Latvia, the LOB announced.
A 400-year-old Lithuanian oak has been named the "European Tree of the Year 2026." Venerable trees nominated by 12 countries, including Latvia, were evaluated. The Latvian entry came in fourth, Latvian Television reports.
In Latvia, the forest fire hazard period begins on April 1st and lasts until September 30th. During this period, residents must comply with fire safety requirements in forested areas to prevent fires from breaking out.
No significant flooding was observed in Augšdaugava Municipality this year; however, municipal officials promised to monitor the situation on the Daugava River at least until Easter in case of an unexpected rise in water levels. Four roads in Augšdaugava Municipality have been washed out this spring due to inadequate drainage systems, the local government told Latvian Radio on 26th March.
On Wednesday, March 25, the Rīga City Council decided to merge the municipal capital companies "Rīga National Zoo" and "Rīga Forests," a move that will enable the implementation of the zoo's development plans through 2035, the council said.
The Mūkusalas Street promenade, which only opened a couple of months ago, is falling apart in places due to the wrong-grade concrete use. How could this mistake have occurred? The responsible parties have promised to investigate, Latvian Television reported on 24th March.
The harsh winter conditions have been "very good" for ticks, entomologist Voldemārs Spuņģis says. Meanwhile, medical professionals remind us that tick-borne diseases can have serious consequences, which is why timely vaccination is particularly important.
March 20th is the International Day of Forests and to mark the occasion, Eurostat published some suitable statistics on how much wood is taken out of Europe's forests each year and how much is replaced.
Latvian companies LMT and AS Latvenergo have launched a research project aimed at developing homegrown technology for the automatic detection and identification of birds at wind turbine farms, reports Labs of Latvia.
Ice jams near Pļaviņas have caused fluctuations in the water level of the Daugava River this week. Local authorities say that there is no cause for concern, but residents living in flood-prone areas have been informed about what to do in emergencies. Meanwhile, the impressive natural scenery has attracted so-called flood tourists, Vidusdaugava Television reported on 17th March.
This spring, the sunny weather has prompted people to start burning last year’s grass earlier than in previous years. Over the past weekend, 55 grass fires were extinguished, and one person was injured, Latvian Radio reports on 28th March.
Real estate development company SIA "Linstow" has purchased the former gaming hall building at 2A 13. Janvāra iela – a prominent location right outside the entrance to Rīga central railway station.
Accusations of animal welfare violations in the Dunduri meadows of the Ķemeri National Park are blatant slander, said Andis Liepa, head of the Ķemeri National Park Foundation, on the Latvian Radio program "Labrīt".
Winter has not spared the picturesque boardwalk through the reeds of Lake Kaņieris. The Nature Conservation Board (DAP) said that during a recent inspection of the area, significant structural damage was found to the boardwalk, which makes moving along it dangerous and unsafe. To guarantee the safety of visitors, the boardwalk will therefore be closed until May 1st while emergency repairs are carried out.
A public consultation is underway in Rēzekne regarding the planned construction of a supermarket in the historic city centre.
Several dozen animal carcasses have been found in the territory of the Ķemeri National Park. As the snow has melted, an unpleasant sight has opened up – dead cattle.
Will Latvians soon have to pay to take a walk in the forest or to pick mushrooms? The answer is "No", so unless you want another example of how averse social media users are to fact-checking, you could save a shred of your sanity and stop reading here.
The Āgenskalns Neighborhood Association and other activists continue to raise the issue of the future fate of Mazais Arkādijas parks (Little Arcadia park) in Rīga, and oppose the planned development of this historically and culturally significant site.
Water levels continue to rise in some Latvian rivers, and they have also begun to rise more rapidly in the Daugava, according to data from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LCĢMC).
Black storks (Ciconia nigra) have returned to Latvia earlier than in previous years, according to information on the website "Dabasdati.lv," where nature observers record their observations.
The Azalea House at the Botanical Garden of the University of Latvia (LU) is in full bloom. Currently, more than 140 varieties are blooming in one place, according to the Botanical Garden.
On Thursday, March 5th morning, the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) evacuated two people from a household flooded due to thaw in Garkalne parish, Ropaži municipality.
Due to thick snow cover and ice on water bodies, more severe flooding is possible this spring. Floods are expected first in Kurzeme – on the Venta and Bārta rivers, followed by the Lielupe basin in Zemgale and the Gauja. Although weather conditions are currently favourable, local governments are gradually preparing for various scenarios, Latvian Radio reported on 5th March.
The flood season could begin in Latvia as early as next week. The Ministry of Climate forecasts that it will last from March 5th to April 15th this year. This winter, the snow and ice cover on rivers in Latvia is much thicker than in other years, Latvian Radio reports on 27th February.
The snow may still be lying thick on the ground across much of Latvia, but it's not too early to start thinking about the "Big Cleanup" (Lielā Talka) that will be happening in exactly two months' time.
25 dogs have been removed from a woman's property in Jūrmala, where they were kept in very poor conditions.
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