Internship experiences in Latvian Fund for Nature
In summer 2023, five students took part in an internship within the Latvian Fund for Nature project GrassLIFE2, learning different topics and skills. The main lines of action were grassland habitat inventory and management, grassland ecological restoration monitoring and evaluation, and Mobile grazing herds and experiencing nature up close. Read our internship experience stories and join us next summer!
Julia Sudoł
Expert assistant in grassland habitat inventory and management for Bachelor students
Being part of the GrassLife project was one of the most interesting experiences of my life. I decided to join this student internship as soon as I saw the advertisement among other internships listed on the website. It was a perfect fit with my interests, allowing me to experience work that I could potentially pursue in the future. At that time, I was a recent graduate in Biology at the undergraduate level, with field botany as my main focus.
Although Latvia differs from Poland, where I’m from, in many ways, the flora is quite similar. Thanks to this, the species and habitats I studied there are relevant to my own country. Latvia itself turned out to be a beautiful place, one that we, along with other interns, had the possibility to explore daily while working across various regions. The chance to have lunch at a farmer’s house, in the very field where we worked, and to visit places I wouldn’t normally go gave me a profound understanding of Latvia.
Though the work was sometimes challenging, we could always count on the support and help of the group in the field. Everyone worked to the best of their ability. The data we later entered into the system also wasn’t overwhelming, allowing each of us to contribute at a manageable pace.
The organization of the internship itself was a very pleasant surprise – both the colleagues, the internship supervisor, and everyone at the Latvian Fund for Nature were incredibly helpful and kind. Even before arriving, I had a guaranteed accommodation in the center of Riga. Līga (our internship supervisor) was always available, ready to answer any questions, and consistently provided prompt assistance. Thanks to her, me and the other interns, we experienced one of the most memorable events: celebrating the traditional Jāņi holiday at her family home.
In addition to the GrassLife project, I also participated in the UrbanMeadows project coordinated by the wonderful Ruta Sniedze. Here, at a slightly slower pace, I could review and reinforce my knowledge of various species. I gained a fresh perspective, learning how to support urban biodiversity, the challenges involved, and the opportunity to explore nearly every corner of Riga! At times, I engaged in physical tasks like raking, enjoyed the calming process of transplanting plants destined for urban meadows, and collected seeds from Rhinanthus sp., which, as I learned, is an ideal species for meadow restoration due to its semi-parasitic nature. Ruta was exceptionally kind, and working with her was pure enjoyment.
Additionally, I had occasional opportunities to join other projects and excursions led by the Latvian Fund for Nature, bringing a wonderful variety and ensuring there was never a dull moment. Summer in Latvia isn’t as intense as in my home region, so escaping north from the heat was another plus! :))
Maja Mathilde Raemakers
Expert assistant in grassland ecological restoration monitoring and evaluation for Master’s students
Hello, my name is Maja, and I’m an ecology student from the Netherlands. This year, I had the incredible opportunity to spend three months in Latvia as an intern with the Latvian Fund for Nature to assist with monitoring and evaluating of semi-natural grassland restoration success. Reflecting on my time there, I’m filled with gratitude for everything I learned and experienced. Here’s a little glimpse into what made this internship so special.
Before this internship, I already had some basic knowledge of grassland ecosystems, but I was eager to dive deeper and to expand my knowledge – especially regarding plant identification and vegetation dynamics. Looking back, I can say that this has definitely been achieved, especially by working with a great team consisting of various experts each of them happy to share their insight of their professional field.
One of the most memorable aspects of my internship was the opportunity to do a lot of fieldwork, which took us to farms across Latvia. Our fieldwork sites were spread across the country, giving me the chance to explore and appreciate Latvia’s diverse geographical regions. Moving from site to site meant that we could see how Latvia’s ecosystems change across different areas, and I loved discovering the subtle differences in vegetation and wildlife along the way. Several times, our work brought us into contact with local farmers, who were always welcoming and enthusiastic to share their stories with us.
Another enriching part of my experience was working with fellow interns from all over Europe. There were five of us in total, each bringing our own background, culture, and ideas to the project. Spending time together in the field and outside of work was a great experience, and I enjoyed getting to know each of them better. We shared long days in the field, but we also shared laughter, ideas, and stories from our own countries around a campfire or relaxing on the beach during our days off. Although the days in the field were long, the internship was well-organized to allow us time to explore Latvia and its culture. When we had breaks from fieldwork, we took the chance to visit nearby towns, try local food, and participate in traditional activities. Latvian Fund for Nature team organized some fun excursions for us, which allowed us to see more of the country beyond the fieldwork sites.
Looking back, my time in Latvia was not only an opportunity to expand my knowledge but also a chance to immerse myself in a new culture, meet incredible people, and engage in meaningful conservation work. Latvia’s landscapes, the knowledge of the field experts, and the kindness of the people I met have all left a lasting impact on me. I’m taking home a wealth of vegetation knowledge, many fond memories, and a deepened appreciation for the value of grassland restoration efforts.
Tomáš Pech
Erasmus+ Internship in Latvia with the Latvian Fund for Nature: Mobile Grazing Herds and Experiencing Nature Up Close
During my internship with the Latvian Fund for Nature, I had the chance to work on managing mobile grazing herds. This role involved a variety of hands-on tasks such as mowing grass, repairing and building fences, feeding the animals, clearing fallen trees from pastures, and even operating tractors. Whether I was relocating hay bales, mowing fields, or performing other farm operations, I fulfilled one of my childhood dreams of driving with tractors.
I spent all my working hours outside in nature, breathing fresh air and taking in the peaceful surroundings. Even during work, I had the chance to travel extensively—our project took us to pastures scattered across nearly every corner of the country. Latvia’s diverse countryside was incredible to explore, and I loved experiencing its landscapes through this unique perspective.
The colleagues at the farm were amazing—genuine, helpful, and welcoming. They made me feel right at home from the beginning, and we shared many fun moments together. Right next to the farm was a lake, and there was nothing better than a refreshing swim after a hard day’s work. This internship not only allowed me to develop practical skills in ecosystem management, but it also gave me a deeper understanding of the daily fieldwork involved in conservation.
In addition to work, I had plenty of time to explore Latvia’s natural beauty and culture. Highlights of my stay included kayaking on the Gauja River, celebrating the traditional Ligo-Jani festival (where I experienced Latvian folklore firsthand), and trying out bogshoeing—a fun and unique way to discover Latvia’s remarkable bogs. Latvia is full of beautiful places to visit, and there’s always something new to see or do. Over my three-month stay, I managed to travel across the entire country, from its charming countryside to its vibrant cities.
I also had the chance to meet friendly and inspiring locals, which helped me connect deeply with Latvian culture. On top of that, I got to know other interns from different countries, and together we created unforgettable memories.
My experience with the Latvian Fund for Nature was truly invaluable, enriching both professionally and personally. This internship was the perfect combination of professional growth, adventure, and cultural discovery. It left me with countless memorable experiences, new friendships, and practical skills that I will carry forward into my future life.
Pia Justen
Expert assistant in grassland ecological restoration monitoring and evaluation for Master’s students
I have had some basic knowledge in plant determination and grassland ecology from my studies before and I really wanted to improve my knowledge, make some experience and have a closer look to semi-natural grasslands. I hoped to achieve these goals during my internship, and I was not disappointed. I spent three months of summer 2024 in Riga and mainly on grasslands all over Latvia. During this time, I had the opportunity to learn from grassland experts and together with their help and many hours in the field, I now feel that I can recognize so many things when I look at a grassland. I have gained a lot of experience in identifying species and in very inspiring conversations with the experts I have also learned that it is not only about species, but also about what it means to find certain species and how management and other influences affect the grassland and the whole ecosystem. I also gained interesting insights into how the overall projects work and the importance of communication and cooperation with the farmers.
I was mainly working for the GrassLIFE2 Project and the Blooming Meadows project. For both, the main tasks were the vegetation surveys and on some days we also helped with other conservation tasks, such as seed harvesting or data entry of the vegetation surveys. A normal day looked something like this: In the morning, we drove to the meadow together by car and worked there for some hours in the field, completing various monitoring tasks. We were supported by the experts, but were able to work largely independently, especially towards the end. Due to the distance from Riga, we often stayed overnight for two to four days in accommodation close to the survey sites. This allowed us to get to know many places throughout Latvia.
I am happy to have taken the opportunity to write my master thesis with data from Latvia and to be supervised by Solvita, a professor from the University of Latvia and an inspiring grassland expert.
The team we worked with was very welcoming and always ready to help with any type of questions about species, grasslands and all other purposes about living in Latvia. It was nice to start in the project together with other interns from Europe. We got on very well, supported each other and shared wonderful moments getting to know Latvia or hanging around after long days in the field. The LFN was helping us in all matters, finding a flat in Riga, tips about public transport and what to do and see in Riga. They kindly took care of us and organized regular excursions to introduce us to the country and Latvian traditions.
During the summer I enjoyed many wonderful contacts and moments with very dear people and great encounters with the beautiful nature of Latvia. I also experienced that Riga is a very nice city to live in.
I am very happy with my internship choice at Latvian Fund for Nature. This experience gave me inspiration, ideas what to work with later on and motivation about nature conservation.
Felix Bernert
Expert assistant in grassland ecological restoration monitoring and evaluation for Master’s students
Hi, my name is Felix, and I’m from Germany. I did an internship with the GrassLIFE2 project and the Latvian Fund for Nature from mid-May until mid-August.
During my time with the GrassLIFE2 project, my main job was collecting data. Each week, we traveled to a new location in Latvia to map meadows. It was exciting to see how moist and dry grasslands differ so much and to discover the many plant species that grow there. I learned about many new species, improved my identification skills, and gained routine over time. Since the weather in Latvia is pretty unpredictable, it’s always a good idea to have an umbrella with you—on rainy days to protect you from the rain and on sunny days to protect you from the sun. 🙂
Working on this project was also a great way to see different parts of Latvia. I was lucky to have a friendly and supportive group of colleagues and other interns to work with, which made the experience even better.
One of my favorite places during the internship was the LFN cabin in Lejzemnieki. We stayed there a couple of times when we had some work in the north of Latvia, and every time I enjoyed this peaceful spot to relax, with a beautiful meadow around and a nearby lake. After a hot day of work, swimming in the lake was the perfect way to cool off—just be ready to deal with the mosquitoes!
Some other nice places I visited in Latvia were Kuldīga, Randu Pļavas, the Daugava Valley, and the Baltic Sea in general. It’s a great mix of beautiful nature and cultural sights, like charming old cities. One of the highlights of my stay was celebrating Midsummer with Līga’s family. Līga also organized exciting day trips, including visits to a bog and a canoeing trip.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time on the GrassLIFE2 project. It was a fantastic summer with many great memories that will stay with me.
Internship offers for 2025 will be published soon!
