Representative of the European Commission Opens Works on Information Boards near Pededze

In the evening of 5 July three new information boards were set up in the Sita and Pededze Floodplain Nature Reserve and the Mugurve Meadows Nature Reserve. The cornerstone for the board in Letišķi of the Litene parish was placed by the representative of the European Commission’s LIFE-Nature program, Sylvia Ludain.

Cornerstone for information

boards in Litene

Representative of the European Commission Opens Works on Information Boards near Pededze

In the evening of 5 July three new information boards were set up in the Sita and Pededze Floodplain Nature Reserve and the Mugurve Meadows Nature Reserve. The cornerstone for the board in Letišķi of the Litene parish was placed by the representative of the European Commission’s LIFE-Nature program, Sylvia Ludain. The head of the Litene parish, Gunārds Ciglis, and representatives of the Latvian Fund for Nature also took part in this event.

All together, there are three information boards that offer descriptions of nature values in both nature reserves. Those are also designated as Natura 2000 sites - internationally recognized specially protected nature areas. Information will be useful for both international and local visitors that travel through the region and are interested to learn more about the area and its surroundings. Written information is provided in English and Latvian; it is complemented with many pictures and drawings. Sites hosting the information boards are covered in the nature management plans. At the beginning of the year these documents were approved by the municipalities and the Ministry of the Environment. One of the boards is placed in the Stradi parish near the bridge over the Pededze River; another one is at the roadside close to Lešķi in the Litene parish, and the third board is found in Sita near the parking lot on the side of the Gulbene-Balvi road.

Jānis Lazdiņš, elected official of the Stradi parish and manager of the Aizpurieši farm along with his assistant, Jānis Caunītis, and Jānis Kokarevičs from Litene were among local inhabitants that actively participated in setting up the information boards. Within five hours the information boards were assembled and placed as needed. Even summer heat did not interrupt the work – the last board went up a little past midnight. Jānis Lazdiņš acknowledged that the work was arduous, yet gratifying. He wished that not only tourists but also local inhabitants read the information provided and learn more about nature values surrounding them.

The information boards are set up as part of the LIFE-Nature project on Restoration of Floodplain Meadows administered by the Latvian Fund for Nature. Active restoration of overgrown floodplain meadows of the Pededze River and its tributaries was started last year. The action began with removal of bushes that is now followed by mowing and grazing.

Placement of the board near the Gulbene-Balvi road

Currently, a brochure is being prepared that will offer information additional to that available on the boards. The small publication is meant for both local and international visitors who enjoy nature-friendly traveling. The Pededze River and the surrounding areas would be a true treat for ecotourists!