Municipalities learn about the drawing up of the nature conservation plan for the “Salacas ieleja” Nature Park

On 31 March, representatives of the LIFE IS SALACA project from the Nature Conservation Agency met representatives of Limbaži and Valmiera municipalities to present the drawing up of the nature conservation plan for the “Salacas ieleja” (Salaca Valley) Nature Park. During the meeting, LIFE IS SALACA project coordinator Lauma Vizule-Kahovska and planning specialist Kristīne Vilciņa presented the project’s goals, tasks and planned results and explained why a nature conservation plan for the “Salacas ieleja” Nature Park is needed.

Kristīne Vilciņa presented the natural values of the nature park – habitats and species of European Union importance, nature monuments and giant trees of national importance. Ecosystem services and other results of the LIFE IS SALACA project will be integrated into the plan. The aim of the nature conservation plan is to preserve the natural values of the area while balancing different interests – nature conservation, use of natural resources and the sustainable development of the region.

During the meeting, Sigita Upmale, Chair of the Limbaži Municipality Council, asked the plan developers to pay special attention to the natural values of Limbaži Municipality and their links with local development. She stressed the need to assess and highlight the importance of natural areas for tourism, fishing and active recreation, including boating, and to take into account the interests of property managers. The head of the municipality also suggested that the plan should look at issues related to the potential development of wind farms and the removal of the Salaca dam in Staicele, assessing the possible impact of these plans on the environment and the development of the area.

Representatives of Valmiera Municipality highlighted the problems with invasive species in the municipality, the need to plan and improve tourism infrastructure, and to find a compromise between tour operators and private landowners. The municipality asked that the plan take into account previous projects and studies that could support its preparation. The idea of a Salaca long-distance trail, mentioned in the previous nature conservation plan, was raised again, with three types of routes – on foot, by boat and by bike. The importance of the area for tourism and active recreation was emphasised.

The developers of the nature conservation plan, in turn, stressed the importance of involving the public and the municipality from the very beginning. Early public involvement makes it possible to assess proposals in good time and, where possible, include them in the plan’s solutions, so that the plan is balanced and meets local needs. As part of the process, an advisory group representing various stakeholders will be set up as early as May this year.

The plan will be drawn up for a 12-year period – from 2027 to 2039. Work on preparing the plan has started this year – the public is being informed and views are being gathered, the necessary field studies will be carried out and the first draft of the plan prepared, while the public consultation is planned for summer 2027. After that, once the municipality’s opinion has been received, the plan will be submitted for approval to the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development.

Project coordinator Lauma Vizule-Kahovska explained that LIFE IS SALACA is a joint project of five partners with a total budget of almost 6 million euros. The project has several strands, of which the Nature Conservation Agency is responsible for drawing up the nature park plan and creating the interactive exhibition “On the banks and in the depths of the Salaca”, which will be located in the premises of the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve in Salacgrīva and will be open to visitors at the end of this year. It will honour the Salaca River and its importance for biodiversity conservation.

The project partners – LSFRI Silava, BIOR, the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre and the association Fishing Club SALACKRASTI – are also involved in drawing up the nature conservation plan.

We invite you to take part in the information meetings launching the nature conservation plan for the “Salacas ieleja” Nature Park, which will take place:

• 22 April 2026 at 18:00, Mazsalaca Culture Centre, Rūjienas iela 1, Mazsalaca, Valmiera Municipality, LV-4215,
• 23 April 2026 at 18:00, Staicele Culture House, Lielā iela 7, Staicele, Limbaži Municipality, LV-4043,
• 24 April 2026 at 18:00, Salacgrīva office of the Nature Conservation Agency, Rīgas iela 10A, Salacgrīva, Limbaži Municipality, LV-4033, and online – see the link on the Nature Conservation Agency website https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/notikums/dabas-parka-salacas-ieleja-dabas-aizsardzibas-plana-uzsaksanas-informativa-sanaksme-salacgriva?date=0

Please register for the meeting(s) by 20 April by filling in the form: Participation in the launch meetings of the “Salacas ieleja” Nature Park nature conservation plan. At the meeting, we will introduce the unique natural, landscape and geological values of the “Salacas ieleja” Nature Park and inform you about the procedure, timeline and planned studies for drawing up the nature conservation plan, as well as how you can take part in it.

The “Salacas ieleja” Nature Park was established in 1977 and is part of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas of European importance and the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve. The “Salacas ieleja” Nature Park is an important area for the protection of sandstone outcrops, undisturbed caves, slope forests, spring fens, river rapids, dry grasslands on calcareous soils and other specially protected habitats and species of EU importance. The area has outstanding landscape and geological values.

You are invited to share your views and proposals on the future development of the “Salacas ieleja” Nature Park at the meeting or by 30 April this year by writing to the Nature Conservation Agency at Baznīcas iela 7, Sigulda, LV-2150, pasts@daba.gov.lv; contact person Kristīne Vilciņa, kristine.vilcina@daba.gov.lv, tel. 26554868. Proposals can also be submitted later in the process.