LIFE+ project “Restoring the hydrological regime of Ķemeri National Park” was started on 2011. It includes restoration of three wetland sites – Zaļais Bog, floodplain of Skudrupīte River and bog woodlands and swamp forests along the W margin of Ķemeri Raised Bog. All of these sites are located in nature reserve zone of Ķemeri national park.

First round of seminars for local communities was arranged in 2012. Locals from nearest cities and villages – Ķemeri, Smārde, Slampe and Lapmežciems – were introduced with the aims of project, necessity of restoration of nature values, results of various researches and planned actions in project sites. During these seminars opinions of locals were listed and later used in other informational activities as well as in solving several problems on the spot, e.g., ditch cleaning in Melnragi and restoration of drainage system around Kūdra village.

Second round of seminars for local communities was arranged in the beginning of April 2014. Locals were introduced with experience gained in similar projects in Latvia and Europe, results of two year research and the elaborated wetland restoration programmes. Project team, partners and experts answered the questions from representatives of local communities.

Rūta Abaja from “Institute for Environmental Solutions” presents the programme of hydrological restoration of river Skudrupe in Slampe culture house, 14.04.2014. Photo by Ilze Vanaga