Biological Significance
Consevation Threats
WWF Involvement in Latvia
Achievements
Selected Projects
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WWF opened an office in the capital, Riga, in 1992 and in the same year launched a Nature Conservation Plan for Latvia in
cooperation with leading Latvian scientists and policy makers. The Plan identified almost 300 of Latvia's most valuable
natural areas in need of protection, and outlined suggestions for developing sustainable forestry and agricultural practices.
Although many conservation areas had been established covering 6.8 per cent of the country in 1991 none was afforded any
real protection. Targeted at decision makers, WWF's Nature Conservation Plan recommended changes in existing conservation
legislation and urged for the establishment of a government agency to oversee the management of protected areas.
WWF is active in forest conservation, coastal zone protection, and environmental education issues in Latvia. In March 1994,
WWF signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with the State Forest Service, which set the scene for joint forest
management demonstration projects, and a number of research, education, and awareness-raising activities aimed at the
forestry industry. The WWF team in Riga is also initiating a socio-economic study of attitudes of new landowners towards
conservation, and investigating policy issues in the forestry sector.
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