Free cleanup services for large, ancient trees available in Latvia
The LIFE Osmo Baltic project, a conservation initiative funded by the European Union’s LIFE program, is now accepting applications for the protection and restoration of large old hollow deciduous trees in Latvia.
The programme, coordinated by Mukāne, is open to various entities including individuals, legal entities, associations, municipalities, and more. The online form for submitting tree cleaning applications can be found on the DAP website (www.daba.gov.lv).
To be eligible, trees must meet certain criteria. They must be large-dimensioned old hollow deciduous trees with a trunk circumference of more than 3 metres (1.3m from the ground). This includes common oak, common linden, common chestnut, common maple, common ash, common elm, and European white elm.
These trees hold cultural, historical, and landscape value, and are home to various species of animals, plants, and fungi. Last year, almost 700 trees from all over Latvia were submitted to the programme. Following an eligibility assessment, 197 trees were admitted, with 136 of them being common oaks.
The deadline for submitting applications is 15 September. At least 200 trees will be selected from those submitted for the program to be assessed and cleaned. The Authority's website provides further information about the program, including a map of the target areas and the rules for assessing applications.
Owners are invited to submit their trees for free cleaning, recognizing the importance of these ancient trees as key habitats for biodiversity, including many protected species such as bats, birds, fungi, and invertebrates. The focus of the LIFE Osmo Baltic project is to protect, manage, and restore these ancient trees and their habitats to halt their decline caused by forestry practices and land use changes.
For more information about the LIFE Osmo Baltic project and typical LIFE projects on old hollow trees, you can visit the project's official website or conduct further research.
- The LIFE Osmo Baltic project, a conservation initiative under the European Union's LIFE program, extends its application process to entities interested in the protection and restoration of large old hollow deciduous trees, specifically common oak, common linden, common chestnut, common maple, common ash, common elm, and European white elm, within the field of environmental science.
- In alignment with the LIFE Osmo Baltic project, homeowners are encouraged to submit their eligible ancient trees for free cleaning, recognizing the significance of these trees as critical habitats for biodiversity, including protected species like bats, birds, fungi, and invertebrates.
- As part of the LIFE Osmo Baltic project's focus on old hollow trees, individuals may find it beneficial to explore further research or visit the project's official website to learn about the project's objectives and typical LIFE projects concerning old hollow trees in relation to lifestyle, culture, and environmental science.
