Environment
New potato parasite found in Latvia
New potato parasite found in Latvia
A pest never before seen in Latvia – the pale potato cyst nematode (Globoder pallida) has been identified in a Zemgale potato farm. The organism was found in a potato field of 10.33 hectares, the State Plant Protection Service said in a statement on June 3.
Rīga to tighten its ad placement rules
Rīga to tighten its ad placement rules
The Rīga City Council on Wednesday adopted binding rules on the procedures for the placement of advertisements, signboards, and other information materials in Rīga, LETA reported May 31.
Textile waste sorting improves in Latvia
Textile waste sorting improves in Latvia
From March 29 to April 21 this year, the volume of textile waste recycled has increased by 15% due to the environmental campaigns implemented by the “Latvian Green Point” and “Eco Baltia Environment” compared to the previous month, the Director of Latvian Green Point Kaspars Zakulis said in an interview to Latvian Radio May 31.
Endangered eagle owls raise younglings in Latvian forests
Endangered eagle owls raise younglings in Latvian forests
In order to promote the conservation and recovery of the population of the critically endangered species – the eagle owl (Bubo bubo) – in Latvia, the Latvian Ornithology Society (LOB) continues to install artificial nests in the forests. Some have already been populated with young owlets, reported LOB.
Pushkin monument gone from Rīga park
Pushkin monument gone from Rīga park
The monument to the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin has been collected from Kronvalda Park in Rīga, according to a Twitter entry by Rīga Vice-Mayor Linda Ozola on May 30.
Rīga will get a thousand new trees this summer
Rīga will get a thousand new trees this summer
The Riga City Council's Department of Housing and Environment has started planting trees in various areas of the capital this spring and plans to plant more than 1,000 trees altogether, a record number the municipality reported on May 25.
Latvians keen to recycle old tires
Latvians keen to recycle old tires
In 2025, Latvia and other European Union (EU) Member States will have to collect for recycling 90% of the volume of tires sold on the market. Until the end of May, tires can be disposed of free of charge in four locations where they will further be recycled, Latvian Television reported Wednesday.
Latvia's beehive numbers are buzzing
Latvia's beehive numbers are buzzing
In 2020, there were more than 100,000 beehives on Latvian farms, according to Eurostat data published May 19, though the total number of beehives in the country is likely to be much higher – the Agricultural Census only records beehives on farms and not those kept by private apiarists.  
Historic oil pollution being pumped in Ventspils, Latvia
Historic oil pollution being pumped in Ventspils, Latvia
In the territory of Ventspils Free Port, a floating layer of oil products at a thickness of 4-19 centimeters has formed on groundwater since the last century. It is now being pumped out and a barrier is set up to clean out the area, Latvian Radio reported May 19.
Wetland activity center attracts criticism for lack of activity
Wetland activity center attracts criticism for lack of activity
Three years have passed since the municipality of Rēzekne district leased the landmark water tourism development center "Bāka" ("Lighthouse"') by Lake Lubāns to a company called SIA "Vlakon". The purpose of the lease was to develop the object as a nature tourism center of regional and international importance. At the moment, however, local residents are dissatisfied with the opportunities offered by Bāka for tourists, saying that much more active activity took place when the municipality itself ran the center.
Mycologist mulls mushroom spring fashion trends
Mycologist mulls mushroom spring fashion trends
Though the most active mushrooming season is summer and fall, real fungus fans seek treasure all year round. This spring, the scarlet elfcup (Sarcoscypha austriaca) is all the rage, mycologist Diāna Meiere told Latvian Radio broadcast Starpbrīdis on May 15.
Stay tick-aware this summer
Stay tick-aware this summer
The active season for ticks in Latvia runs from April to October, as many people will already have discovered. A discussion on Latvian Radio May 10 stressed the importance of protecting yourself against the nasty little arachnids as far as possible and being aware of the risks if you do get bitten. 
Thousands of gulls fall victim to bird flu around Daugavpils
Thousands of gulls fall victim to bird flu around Daugavpils
In and around the city of Daugavpils, 1,000 dead gulls have already been found and eliminated over the past week. Bird deaths are associated with avian influenza. Mass deaths have also been reported in Krāslava, Latvian Radio reported on May 10.
Three baby seals rescued on Latvia's beaches this year
Three baby seals rescued on Latvia's beaches this year
During "seal season", or the time of the presence of baby seals on beaches coming to an end, three seal pups have been rescued in the territory of Latvia, according to information on May 9 by the Nature Conservation Agency (DAP). 
Masses of dead birds found in Krāslava; avian flu suspected
Masses of dead birds found in Krāslava; avian flu suspected
The Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) has received information from ornithologists regarding at least 200 dead seagulls on an island in the Daugava, city of Krāslava. On Monday, May 8, PVD inspectors sent 15 samples of dead birds for laboratory tests for avian influenza, the PVD said.
Bird flu confirmed in Daugavpils(update)
Bird flu confirmed in Daugavpils(update)
Avian influenza, or bird flu, has been detected in wild birds dead in Daugavpils, representatives of the Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) told LETA on May 5.
Rīga to up its drinking water supply
Rīga to up its drinking water supply
Rīga has opened its free-access drinking water faucets for the season. Twelve of those were installed in the capital parks last year, and more are to come this year. Water in these faucets is clean, high-quality, safe for use, and regularly checked, the municipal company Rīgas ūdens (“Riga Water”) said on May 2.
Around 500 species deemed endangered in Latvia
Around 500 species deemed endangered in Latvia
Approximately 500 species have been identified as endangered in the Latvian Red Book (a book listing endangered species) renewal project from the 1,500 species evaluated, Latvian Radio reported on May 2.
Bear population predicted to keep growing
Bear population predicted to keep growing
The Nature Conservation Agency (DAP) will carry out extensive brown bear monitoring in Latvia. The main aim of the monitoring will be to explore the unique process of returning to the territory after being eliminated completely, Jānis Ozoliņš, lead researcher of the Latvian National Forest Science Institute 'Silava' told Latvian Radio on April 28.
Big Cleanup was bigger than last year
Big Cleanup was bigger than last year
This year, compared to the previous year, the Big Cleanup was more active, with an overall number of 1,331 clean-ups registered as compared to 1,214 last year, representatives of the Cleanup said on April 27.
Public outraged at planned waste incinerator near Rīga
Public outraged at planned waste incinerator near Rīga
Citizens have expressed dissatisfaction with the plan to build a waste incinerator in Stopiņi, just outside the capital Rīga. Six thousand signatures were collected against the planned construction. The municipality says it is facing such a great resistance from society for the first time, Zemgale Television reported on April 27.
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