The North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve is the only biosphere reserve in Latvia. It is located in the northern part of the country and Vidzeme. The reserve covers an area of 4576 km2, its administration is located in Salacgriva.
The only biosphere reserve in Latvia, which includes 60 km of the
Vidzeme coast of the Gulf of Riga, vast territories in the north of
Vidzeme, one of the largest untouched raised bogs in the Baltic
countries and the largest complex of seaside meadows in Latvia.
The North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve is the only protected natural area
of its kind in Latvia, which occupies about 457.6 thousand hectares of
land and 16.75 thousand hectares of marine waters. The reserve was
created in 1997 and on December 15 of the same year it was recognized as
a protected natural area of international importance within the
framework of the UNESCO program. The reserve includes not only natural
objects, but also humans as part of nature. The preservation of natural
and landscape attractions is ensured along with the sustainable
socio-economic development of the region.
The territory of the
reserve includes several natural reserves, dendrological plantings,
geological and geomorphic, natural and historical monuments.
Admire the beauty of nature in the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve
go
for a walk along the path through the seaside meadows and watch birds
from the observation tower;
watch birds and fish on Lake Burtnieku;
birdwatch at Seda Swamp;
feel the power of the water near the 6-meter
Vezzemju sandstone cliff, where the waves have formed grottoes and
caves;
shine a flashlight into one of the longest sandstone caves in
Latvia - the Libiešu sacrificial cave near Svetupe;
admire the
beautiful scenery on a boat ride on Salaca, go fishing and have a
picnic;
admire the beauty of the 400 meter long Red Cliffs at sunset;
improve your well-being while walking barefoot along the rocky coastline
of Vidzeme;
listen to your echo near the Skanaiskalns cliff and take
a walk through the picturesque park;
try the lamprey and examine the
pins for catching it, which are used only in this region of Latvia.
The North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve is the only such specially
protected nature territory in Latvia. It is a large area where
internationally important natural and landscape values are
preserved by ensuring sustainable social and economic development.
In order to radically improve the ecological situation in the
Salaca river basin and the North Vidzeme coast of the Gulf of Riga,
as well as to create preconditions for the organization of a
biosphere reserve in this territory, 26.03.1990. The Council of
Ministers adopted Decision no. 75 "On the Establishment of the North
Vidzeme Regional Nature Protection Complex and Measures for the
Organization of the Biosphere Reserve". The boundaries of the ZVRDAK
territory are determined by the Salaca River and its catchment area,
which is the most important salmon spawning ground on the eastern
side of the Baltic Sea basin. Scientist Aija Melluma, poet Jānis
Peters and biologist Indulis Emsis participated in the founding of
ZVRDAK.
1997 On December 11, the Saeima passed a law on the
North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve (ZBR).
On 15 December 1997,
it was recognized as a protected nature area of international
importance under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB). A
ZBR Advisory Council has been established to coordinate the
activities of the Biosphere Reserve and to involve local governments
and other interest groups. It consists of representatives of state
institutions, local governments and non-governmental organizations.
On October 10, 2000, Cabinet Regulation No. 353 “North Vidzeme
Biosphere Reserve Individual Protection and Use Regulations”.
In 2008, SIA ELLE developed a Landscape Ecological Plan for the
territory of the ZBR.
June 1, 2009 - The administration of
the ZBR was included in the Nature Protection Board as one of the
structural units.
February 1, 2011 - by merging the
administration of the ZBR and the administration of the Gauja
National Park, the Vidzeme Regional Administration of the Nature
Protection Board was established, which supervises the territory of
the ZBR.