Work on the nature conservation plan for the “Salacas ieleja” Nature Park starts with a series of meetings in Mazsalaca, Staicele and Salacgrīva

Within the LIFE IS SALACA project, the Nature Conservation Agency has started drawing up the nature conservation plan for the specially protected nature area “Salacas ieleja” (Salaca Valley) Nature Park. From 22 to 24 April, meetings launching the nature conservation plan were held in Mazsalaca, Staicele and Salacgrīva, attracting more than 80 people in total.

The “Salacas ieleja” Nature Park currently has no valid nature conservation plan. The new plan will be drawn up for the period from 2027 to 2039, with the aim of preserving the natural values while balancing the interests of nature conservation, use of natural resources, regional development and local residents.

At the meetings, experts from the Nature Conservation Agency and BIOR – Lauma Vizule-Kahovska, Kristīne Vilciņa, Linda Uzule and Kaspars Abersons – presented the LIFE IS SALACA project, the natural values of the “Salacas ieleja” Nature Park, the process of drawing up the plan and the opportunities to take part in it. The presentation from the meetings is available on the project website under project activities, work package 3: Action T.3.4 Drawing up the nature conservation plan for the Natura 2000 site “Salacas ieleja”, and the recording of the meeting in Salacgrīva is available at https://www.youtube.com/@dabasaizsardzibasparvalde.

The nature conservation plan is designed as a platform for cooperation between residents, landowners, entrepreneurs, municipalities and nature experts. That is why early involvement of municipalities and the public is particularly important, as it allows proposals to be assessed in good time and included in the plan’s solutions. Gita Strode, Director of the Nature Conservation Department of the Nature Conservation Agency, stressed that landowners should think in good time about the measures they want to carry out on their property – for example, building boardwalks, trails or other tourism infrastructure, clearing an overgrown river section or building an access road. The experts can then assess such a measure as part of the plan and, if it does not conflict with nature conservation, include it in the plan. Later, when the measure is carried out, no additional studies or approvals will be needed.

As part of the process, an Advisory Group will be set up as early as May this year to ensure the participation of all stakeholders. Kristīne Vilciņa, who leads the drawing up of the plan, points out that anyone who wishes to take part, review and assess the documents prepared can apply to join the Advisory Group. However, the Advisory Group meetings are open, and anyone can also attend just as a listener.

The meeting participants shared their thoughts, concerns and suggestions about the nature park. The issues raised so far include the regulation of boating and fishing, the improvement and maintenance of tourism infrastructure, water pollution, the problem of litter left by visitors, invasive species and beaver dams. All proposals received will be included and addressed as far as possible while the plan is being drawn up. Additional proposals can be submitted by filling in the form Participation in the launch meetings of the “Salacas ieleja” Nature Park nature conservation plan, which will be open until 30 April, or by contacting Kristīne Vilciņa, who leads the drawing up of the plan (kristine.vilcina@daba.gov.lv, tel. 26554868).

Species and habitat experts have already started surveying habitats of EU importance and specially protected species in the nature park to update the information on its natural values and to plan the necessary management. Landowners can also apply for a survey of their land together with an expert.

The nature conservation plan will be drawn up from 2026 to 2027; the first Advisory Group meeting is planned for the autumn, and the first draft of the plan for next spring. Project coordinator Lauma Vizule-Kahovska invites residents to be active and get involved in drawing up the plan, sharing their views, wishes and ideas and helping to shape the future of the “Salacas ieleja” Nature Park, so that the plan is balanced and meets local needs.

The “Salacas ieleja” Nature Park, located in Limbaži and Valmiera municipalities, was established in 1977 and is part of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas of European importance, as well as 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. Next year the nature park will celebrate its 50th anniversary.

More information about nature conservation plans is available (in Latvian) at https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/dabas-aizsardzibas-plani.