What does the Natura 2000 site “Salacas ieleja” include, and why does it need a nature conservation plan?

The main nature conservation values of the “Salacas ieleja” (Salaca Valley) Nature Park are the Salaca River itself and the complex of habitats around it, which includes several habitats of the EU Habitats Directive – sandstone outcrops, undisturbed caves, slope forests, spring fens, river rapids and others. The area has outstanding landscape value along many stretches of the river, especially around Skaņaiskalns near Mazsalaca, downstream of Staicele, at the Mērnieki rapids and the Red Cliffs (Sarkanās klintis).

The previous nature conservation plan was drawn up in 2005 and extended until 2019; in it, the Salaca River was divided into four sections, each with its own plan. As the nature park currently has no valid nature conservation plan, it is difficult to plan management measures for the area and to attract funding for them.