Information for the public

ikona_23Information for the public

 

The action aims at increasing the knowledge of the local land owners/managers and entrepreneurs about the project activities as well as raising their knowledge on grassland ecosystems and services they provide, actions needed to maintain grassland biodiversity and different alternative options for use of grassland biomass.

 

Implementation: October 2013 – December 2017

 

Implemented by: Baltic Environmental Forum-Latvia with the involvement of all project partners

 

The layman’s report crossword answers you can see in the picture below:

Main activities:

  • general information about the project (in Latvian and English) placed in project lead partner and project partners’ websites;
  • project leaflet (in the format of booklet with the additional empty pages and attached pen for notes) had been elaborated and printed (in Latvian) not only to supplement the project visibility but also provide brief information about the project and its partners, shortly describe the importance of maintenance of grassland biodiversity and ecological services, as well as outline possible management solutions and options for use of grassland biomass to be tested by the project. Additionally there are 3 calendar spreads (year 2015, 2016, 2017) with the main activities of the project for the relevant year and information about the possibilities to join the local co-operation networks for grassland maintenance and processing of biomass;
  • in order to support the main idea of the project leaflet and inform wide range of public about the ecosystem services and importance of the grassland maintenance it was decided to participate in the annual “Nature Concert Hall” (June 2015) – this year’s topic was the natural grassland, its biological value and why they have to be kept and maintained? The introductory lecture as well as attractive info posters were prepared by lead partner and project team took part in the very well attended events and informed around 1000 visitors of the concerts;
  • 9 articles published in local newspapers of Ludza and Sigulda municipalities – not only reflecting the executed activities but also informing general public about the importance of maintenance of grassland biodiversity. It is very significant taking into account the fact that internet is still not used by all people in the countryside and therefor via printed materials the information about the project and its activities is available also for those who prefer read newspapers;
  • scientific article “Production of fermentation feedstock from lignocellulosic biomass: applications of membrane separation” (prepared by project partner Riga Technical University) was published (Agronomy Research, 2015). Within the project gained knowledge and conclusions resulted in this article about the development of cost-efficient, highly productive technologies for fermentation feed production from lignocellulose biomass;
  • Informative seminars in Ludza municipality (13.04.2015) and in Sigulda municipality (15.05.2015) were held in order to provide general understanding about the biodiversity and ecological processes in grasslands and ecosystem services. There are still a lot of myths circulating in the community of the countryside about nature protection, which often is perceived as non-interference in natural processes. Many see management and nature protection as two opposite contradicting directions. The seminars helped to disseminate understanding that grasslands in local geographical conditions historically have formed and can survive only under extensive human management. No management almost exclusively leads to overgrowing of grasslands and transforming into forests.
  • Notice boards set up in Sigulda and Ludza municipalities. In the frame of the project informative notice boards elaborated and set up in order to introduce about the project as well as about the alternative use of grass biomass. One notice board in roll up format is placed inside of each municipality therefore visitors can read about the alternative possibilities of biomass use researched during the project. Second notice board – outdoor type – is placed in the strategic place in each project’s pilot territory informing about the semi-natural grassland resources.