Public discussion of  management plan for Lielupe Floodplains

On the November 2 this year at 10:00 at Jelgava’s District Council – in Jelgava, Pasta iela 37 the public discussion of nature management plan will be held concerning the nature reserve “Lielupe Floodplains”. The nature reserve is located in Jelgava district, Jaunsvirlauka parish, territory of Ozolnieki and in Jelgava city.   

Public discussion of management plan for Lielupe Floodplains

On the November 2 this year at 10:00 at Jelgava’s District Council – in Jelgava, Pasta iela 37 the public discussion of nature management plan will be held concerning the nature reserve “Lielupe Floodplains”. The nature reserve is located in Jelgava district, Jaunsvirlauka parish, territory of Ozolnieki and in Jelgava city. 

From the October 19, this management plan will be available for information in the Tourism Information Centre at Pasta iela 37 (Pasta Street 37). Written suggestions are accepted for submission until the November 2, at the further mentioned address. This nature management plan is developed by the Latvian Fund for Nature (Raiņa bulvāris 31-6, Riga, phone: 7830999, e-mail: rove@lanet.lv). All the interested parties are welcomed to participate!

This year the nature management plan which was developed in the year of 2002 is being updated and essentially improved, because the priorities have changed, and the restricted nature reserve has expanded as well. The development of the plan was led by Ms. Ieva Rove from the Latvian Fund for Nature.

Since the year of 1999 Lielupe River floodplain meadows have already the status of nature reserve. Since the year of 1991 in the territory of the Castle Island (Pilssala) is established a restricted ornithological nature area, because of the large diversity of birds, later on in the year of 1999 the status of territory was changed to nature reserve “Lielupe Floodplains”. Currently, the nature reserve is also the territory of “Natura 2000” (code: LV0523100) with the total area of 352 ha. Lielupe River Floodplain Meadows are also internationally important for birds.

The territory was established in order to protect natural meadows on the banks of River Lielupe. There are found mainly protected habitats mentioned in the EU Habitats Directive, Lowland hay meadows, Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities (including Great Angelica). The site is favoured for nesting by distinguished rare warders – the Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank and Ruff. It is also found out that there is quite large amount of Corncrakes nesting in these meadows. Nevertheless, it also is a significant resting place for the migrating waterfowl. The territory is a unique site with its location within the urban environment, though in the past years it has been degraded by overgrowing with bushes.

Mr. Viktors Jefimovs, Latvian Fund for Nature