There will be discussions on natural capital and ecosystem services

In August and September, the Latvian Fund for Nature (LFN) will hold discussions with residents and local decision-makers in Olaine, Jelgava, Bauska, and Ādažu counties about natural capital and ecosystem services.

Latvia’s natural landscape is changing not only due to climate change but also as a result of human economic activities. Nature is a fundamental value upon which both economic capital and society rely. One way to integrate natural values into social and economic processes is through the concept of natural capital. While this approach is gaining traction globally, it remains relatively unfamiliar in Latvia. To bring the idea of natural capital to life at the municipal level, the LFN will collaborate with local decision-makers and activist communities in Olaine, Jelgava, Bauska, and Ādaži during August and September. Through discussions and examples rooted in everyday events and regional contexts, the LFN aims to enhance public understanding and capacity for participation in nature protection and sustainable development decision-making processes.

In discussions led by LFN policy expert Baiba Baltvilka-Vitajevska and Ivo Vinogradovs, a leading researcher from the University of Latvia’s Geography and Earth Sciences department, we will explore the concept of natural capital. The discussions will highlight the importance of nature in the context of economic, cultural, historical, and human well-being, with a particular focus on the ecosystem services specific to each county. We will also delve into the diversity of living organisms within urban ecosystems and examine how nature integrates into urban environments.

The first discussion will take place on Thursday, August 22, at 4:00 PM at the Olaine Museum of History and Art, located at 9-37 Jelgava Street. This session will focus on the “Olaines Bog,” exploring its development possibilities and potential both in terms of nature conservation and future recreational use. The second part of this discussion will be held in Olaine on September 22.

Additional discussions are scheduled in other cities:

• August 28 and September 17 in Jelgava,
• September 4 and 5 in Bauska,
• September 10 and 24 in Ādaži.