LIFE+ project EREMITA MEADOWS is rapidly approaching the finish. In the framework of the project many activities, significant for nature conservation, have been implemented, they are summarized in the Laymans report, prepared by project work group. Laymans report includes information on aims, activities and results of LIFE+ project EREMITA MEADOWS.

On February 26, 2016 Daugavpils University in cooperation with Nature Conservation Agency organized seminar "Management of nature-friendly territories - fundamental of maintenance of biological diversity" in Sigulda (Baznīcas street 7). There were invited planning specialists, species and habitat experts, developers of nature protection plans and other stakeholders, whose everyday work is related to issues of nature conservation planning.

Ecological network plan includes information on significance of dead wood in the ecosystem, there are characterized main factors endangering saproxylic species and their conservation problems. Species biology, habitats, conservation status, endangering factors are given for every specially protected saproxylophagous beetle species of European Union significance, there are also given suggestions for species conservation. The plan is illustratively supplemented by photos of rare and protected beetle species and their habitats. 

In the framework of the project the demonstration sites were developed in order to show possibility of biodiversity-friendly management in Fennoscandian wooded meadows, near old, big trees, which serve as habitats for many animal and plant species, as well as to inform about specially protected nature territories and LIFE programme. Within the project altogether 10 demonstration sites were placed in project territories.  In December, 2015 there was finished development of demonstration sites in Nature Park "Ogres ieleja", Nature Reserves "Augstroze", "Vidusburtnieks" and "Lubānas mitrājs". 

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On December 9 project work group had a meeting with environmental experts from JSC Latvias State Forests in the framework of development of Ecological Network Plan. During the meeting leader of planning team reported on the course of development, idea, concept, chosen species and practical application of Ecological Network Plan. 

On November 27, 2015 seminar "Application of GIS and cartographic modelling in research of rare and protected species and habitats, as well as in assurance of their conservation" was organized by LIFE+ project EREMITA MEADOWS in Sigulda. Reports on experience of GIS and cartographic modelling in Latvia, related to research of rare and protected species and habitats and assurance of their conservation, were presented.

In the framework of LIFE project activity on development of information centre in Nature Reserve "Eglone" has been finished. In the framework of the activity the design of the centre was elaborated, renovation works were done in one room of Tadenava Library, as well as artistic decoration of the centre was performed. In the information centre there was placed information on EU-significance protected habitat "Fennoscandian wooded meadows" and rare, protected plants and animals living in it.

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The Daugavpils University offered to all interested the exciting journey – 10th Science festival of Daugavpils University with the Researcher Night at the end. All buildings of University (Parādes street 1, 1A, and Vienības street 13) welcomed about 1300 visitors.

The interactive mobile exhibition “Life in tree”, developed by LIFE+ project EREMITA MEADOWS. The visitors were introduced with various organisms living in old and hollow trees.

The Project team had meeting with specialists of joint-stock company “Latvijas valsts meži” – Sandra Līckrastina, environmental conservation specialist of Dienvidlatgale Forestry as well as Agris Elerts, manager of Aknīste forest district on 18th of September. The goal of meeting – to discuss the improvement and maintenance of nature trail in nature reserve “Eglone” developed in framework of LIFE+ project EREMITA MEADOWS. The participants of meeting visited the nature trail in order to estimate the expenses of maintaining and improvement.

Daugavpils University signed the contract with Latvian State Forest Research Institute "Silava" on participation in development of ecological network plan for rare saproxylophagous species. The analysis of databases and digital maps available in “Silava” will be performed in order to predict the potential areas of Latvia where the habitats of rare saproxylophagous species could be found.    The habitat maps will be developed in frame of this contract, as well as algorithm for selection of potential habitats of saproxylophagous beetles.