EUROPEAN ROLLER RECORDED!

27/06/2010  Common roller (Coracias garrulus) was observed at Kalnišķi village NE part of nature park, which was feeding on freshly mown meadow. This is the first observation of this species in the nature park during breeding period in this century, as well as the first record in Latvia, outside the three known nesting sites near Riga this year.

THE FIRST RECORD OF EUROPEAN POND TURTLE IN THE NATURE PARK!

16/06/2010  European bog turtle (Emys orbicularis) was found in Nida village. This is the first known discovery of this species in the nature park. European bog turtle is very rare in Latvia and is included in the Red Book of endangered species category. Found turtle was a female with a comparative bright armored down side, which does not exclude the possibility that this reptile is not native. The experts from Daugavpils zoo arrived for proper study to determine the origin of reptile and taking DNA tests and sent to Germany. They are dealing with the restoration of Latvian species in the nature. Inspections will continue until autumn, and if a female will be of local origin, she will also participate in the reproduction program. Approximately after 2-3 years, five young turtles will be released at the same place.

BIRDWATCHING TOWER BATTLES ARE INVITING!!

18/05/2010  On 22nd and 23rd May annual birdwatching tower battles will take place "CEMEX Towers fights 2010." During the event birdwatchers' groups will spent 24hrs in the several birdwatching towers around Latvia, including the Lake Pape, recording all visible and also heard bird species. The winning team should record the largest number of the bird species in the concrete area. The current record of 114 bird species are recorded from the Kuivižu tower in 2009. These days everyone is welcommed to visit the birdwatching towers to observe the birds and support the teams.

WILD HORSES PARTICIPATE IN THE BALTIC CAMPAIGN!

11/05/2010  "Great Baltic Travel 2010" is an adventure campaign, which takes place from the beginning of May in Estonia, Latvian and Lithuania. Travelling with family or friends along the Baltic, in all three countries are offered an original and uniquely significant objects: historic buildings, beautiful architecture, adventure and water theme parks, museums, and just a lot of places with beautiful nature. Campaign combines probably the 30 most interesting places to visit in the three Baltic countries - 10 sites in each country. By participating in the campaign you could win great prizes. As one of the the Latvian sites, you have to visit the wild horses and auroxen grazing area in the lake Pape Nature Park!
MORE INFORMATION ON THE CAMPAIGN>>>

ACTIVE TOURISM SEASONS STARTS IN NATURE PARK!

10/05/2010  May is a beginning for the active tourist season in the nature park. This month interesting events are prepared by guest house "Pūķarags" at Pape village. Already this weekend 15 May, any visitor will be able to participate in bird-watching excursion, listen to lectures, participate in bird box making and look at photo exhibition about birds, etc. More information>>>

PHOTO SNAPS FROM BIG CLEANUP IN PAPE!

25/04/2010  During the Big Cleanup 2010,  Rucava municipality employees worked hard at Pape village, removing the garbage from seaside, cleaning the road sides, areas around the info stands and parking places.  More pictures>>>

THE BIG CLEANUP 2010!

24/04/2010  During The Big cleanup 2010 campaign, the cleaning events are also organized in the nature park. On 24 April at 10:00, the volunteers are welcome in Pape village near Pape lighthouse and also in Kalnišķi village near local shop. During the day is planned to clean the public places and remove the garbage along the road sides. For more info please visit: http://www.talkas.lv/ .

THE OLD TOWER GETS NEW FOOTBRIDGE!

20/04/2010  This spring a new footbridge was constructed in the lenght of 60m to the bird watching tower near Lake Pape. The works were coordinated by Rucava municipality and the Lake Pape Nature Park Fund financially supported the timber for the footbridge.

THE FIRST SPRING MIGRANTS ARRIVE IN THE NATURE PARK!

21/02/2010  This spring first four Greyleg geese (Anser anser) has been observed in the NE part of the Lake Pape. Although this winter was very cold and snowy and also in the meantime the lake and the fields are still covered with thick ice and snow cover.

News review (Autumn 2009).

TRAPPING OF THE AMERICAN MINK STARTED IN THE LAKE PAPE.

In early November, American mink (Mustela vison) population control pilot project was launched. This project is funded by the donation of funds received in September. In October in the UK were ordered 10 special alive mink traps. In these traps animals are not killed, so it is possible to release the other animal (mammal) species. Since so far in Latvia there is no developed a common methodology for American mink population control and a lack of information materials is also present. So therefore this project can be regarded as innovative and its implementation will identify the best and most effective options and mink trapping methods.

WEBSITE NEWS

Recently new website sections launched to highlight important events in the Lake Pape Nature Park. For more details please visit:
OUR SUPPORTERS
OUR PROJECTS

LAKE PAPE NATURE PARK RECEIVES FIRST PRIVATE FOREIGN DONATION! 

In September, Pape Nature Park Foundation has signed a cooperation agreement with Ignace Schops     from Belgium, who donated 25,000 Euro for the implementation of the certain Lake Pape Nature park nature management plan actions. Remarkably, Ignace Schops is the first Belgian National Park (www.nationaalpark.be) Director, who himself was involved in its establishment until 2006. He also is the vice president of the largest Flemish nature conservation organization, a man who made his contribution to environmental protection and in 2008 receiving the world's largest environmental award "Goldman Environmental Prize", What is commonly referred to as the Green Nobel Prize (www.goldmanprize.org). This award is annually awarded to 6 people, one from each continent, Ignace has received awards as a representative of the European continent.

WATERFOWL BREEDING IS THREATENED IN THE LAKE PAPE!

30/04/2009 Today Pasaules dabas fonds (PDF, formerly WWF Latvia) distributed the press release announcing that due to amendments in the Angling regulations, allowing the fishing from boats from 1 May in Latvia, seriously threatens the breeding success of the Lake Pape bird species due to intensive disturbance by boating, especially in this nesting time, when most of the bird species are laying eggs. Such situation is very dramatic for Lake Pape ecosystem, because it is core (nature reserve) of the EU Natura 2000 site, Important Bird Area (IBA) in Latvia and also Ramsar convention site. The Lake Pape was established as nature reserve, because as important breeding ground for many EU protected bird species (i.e. Bittern, Crane etc.). Such situation would be not possible if the Ministry of the Environment could promote for the approval of the amendments of the individual regulations of the Lake Pape Nature Park. These regulations are under preparation and discussion process already for 3 years without final decision. In the press release, the fund stressed that the consequences of the amended Angling regulations, is direct responsibility of the Minister of the Environment, because he, replacing the resigned Minister of Agriculture, submitted the amendments for the approval to the Cabinet of the Ministers.

MEETS NATURE PARK "PAPE" CONSULTATIVE BOARD.

19/08/2008  Nature park "Pape" consultative board meets at Nīca municipality to discuss the implementation of the nature management plan in 2008 and also discuss the future prospects for the development of the nature park in the coming future.  

THE BIRDWATCHING TOWERS BATTLES IN THE LAKE PAPE!

19/05/2008 On 24 and 25 May Latvian ornithological society (LOB) is organizing the 5th birdwatching tower competition "Hipo birdwatching battle 2008" . During the event seven birdwatchers' groups will spent 24hrs in the seven birdwatching towers around Latvia, including the Lake Pape, recording all visible and also heard bird species. The winning team should record the largest number of the bird species in the concrete area.

DISCUSSION ABOUT PROTECTION OF BALTIC SEA COASTAL WATERS

15/02/2008 On 27 February at Rucava Saieta nams (Rucava, Liepājas distr., LV-3477) at 11:00 informative meeting will be organized to inform about the launch of the preparation of new nature management plan for the Baltic Sea protected area (PA) "Nida- Pērkone", which is in establishing process. 
New protected area will border with Rucava and Nīca municipalities. All interested are welcomed to discuss about the protection and management questions. 
Meeting is organized by Baltijas Vides forums/Baltic Environmental Forum (Peldu iela 26/28-505, Rīga, LV-1005; ph. (+371)67357548; webpage http://www.bef.lv).

MEETING OF TOURISM ENTERPRISES AT NĪCA.

04/01/2008 On 21 January, at 18:00 the meeting of Nica municipality tourism enterprises will be held at Nica Municipality Adult education centre. During the meeting the questions and problems on tourism development in Nīca municipality will be addressed: presentation of Nica Municipality development plan, "Balttour-2008" in Riga, presentation of handbook "Lake Pape Nature Park", declaration of foreigners, opening of tourism season 2008.
Signing up to 19 January by telephone(+371) 28301687 or 63489501(working days from 9:00–16:00).

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

WILD HORSES ARRIVE IN THE NATURE PARK!

07/12/2007 On 4 December 25 wild horses started their journey from Droningen province in the Netherlands to Lake Pape Nature Park. On 6 December early morning they were released in the new pastures in the northern part of the Lake Pape. This grazing area of 150ha was established in 2006 by Pasaules dabas fonds within EU LIFE Nature project and since that time it was populated by 9 auroxen cattle.  Shortly after the arrival the horses started to explore the new area and were actively feeding of fresh grass shoots still remaining in the area. Currently due to long lasting rain and vicinity to the lake, some parts of the new pastures are flooded, so animals will need some time to adopt to new nature conditions.
The horses were donated by Droningen province NGO (Het Droninger Lanschap), transportation costs were covered by WWF-Netherlands and transport company "Scandlines". Organization and logistics for the transportation was carried out by Flaxfield Nature Consultancy.

NEW REGULATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT.

28/09/2007. Within EU LIFE-Nature project updated "Individual protection and maintenance regulations for the Lake Pape Nature Park" are submitted to the Ministry of the Environment to facilitate their approval by the Cabinet of the Ministers. These regulations were prepared and amended according to Lake Pape Nature Park management plan (2007-2013), which were prepared within EU LIFE-Nature project and approved by the Minister of the Environment on 23 July 2007.The new regulations will promote the implementation of the priority actions described in the Lake Pape Nature Park management plan.

NATURE PARK CONSULTATIVE BOARD STARTS WORK.

30/08/2007.  On 30 August the Consultative board of the Lake Pape Nature Park will meet in the Nature house at Pape village. The consultative board was approved by the Cabinet of the Ministers (Reg. No.72/ 2007.01.26). There are represented 13 state, municipal and non-governmental organisations within the board. The main task of the board is monitoring and consulting the implementation of the nature management plan of the park. During the first meeting the members of the board will discuss therecently approved nature management plan, project of the individual protection and maintenence regulations of the park as well as will be introduced about the EU LIFE Nature project results.

BOARD OF THE LAKE PAPE PARK FUND MEETS IN RUCAVA.

23/08/2007.  On 23 August the Lake Pape Nature Park Fund Board members will meet  for the first meeting. The Fund was established in 2007 within EU LIFE Nature project  (Act.A.7) to promote the institutional development of the nature park management and maintenence system in the future. The fund will work for the protection, maintenenance and restoration of the natural and culture historical values in the park teritory, by implementing action depicted in the recently approved Lake Pape Nature Park management plan. During the meeting the work plan for the next yers will be discussed and work out in order to secure the implementation of the nature management plan.

MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT APPROVES NATURE PARK "PAPE" NATURE MANAGEMENT PLAN.

27/07/2007.   On 23 July the minister of Environment R.Vējonis has approved the nature management plan(2007-2018) for the NP "Pape". This document will serve to protect, maintain and also restore the nature biodiversity in the territory as well as promote the sustainable development of the area. For the coming years it will be the main instrument to attract the necessary financing for the implementation of the nature conservation and maintenance activities and also institutional development of the park management. The plan was prepared 3 years, including the description of the nature values, habitat, flora and fauna inventories, actions to be implemented and also consulting all stakeholders working in the area.  Document was worked out within EU LIFE Nature project.

WELCOMING NEW YEAR!

05/01/2007.  With the beginning of the New Year, we would like to present a short summary of the works implemented within EU LIFE Nature Project during the previous year. Please find the pdf document (in Latvian) here.

PUBLIC HEARINGS LAUNCHED FOR THE LAKE PAPE NATURE PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN!

26/09/2006. Starting from 29 Septemebr to October 13 , 2006 the official public hearings are launched for the approval of the elaborated Lake Pape Nature Park (LPNP) nature management plan. The plan was prepared within EU LIFE Nature project- Lake Pape: conservation, preservation and evolution. The final document with related maps is available in two local municipality buildings-in the lobby of Rucava municipality building  ("Pagasta māja", Rucava, Liepāja district, LV-3477) and Nīca municipality building (Bārtas street 6, Nīca, Liepāja district, LV-3476) each working day from 9:00 till 16:00. There you can also submit suggestions and recommendations for the plan. The final public hearing meeting will be held at 14:00 on October 13, 2006 at Rucava municipality hall ("Pagasta māja", Rucava).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE MOST INTERESTING BIRD RECORDS IN 2006 (SPRING-SUMMER)!

08/08/2006. The first August days has already marked the start of the autumn bird migration in the Lake Pape Nature Park. Each evening by dark cranes arrive in the Lake Pape reedbeds for the rest. Hereby we would like to offer the short summary of the most interesting bird records during the spring and summer within EU LIFE Nature project. Please download the document (in Latvian) in pdf format here. 

TWO EUROPEAN BISON CALVES ARE BORN !

25/07/2006 This Sunday afternoon came with good surprise in the Lake Pape northern meadows! For few days four European bison were invisible in the meadows and that was explained by very hot weather and thousands of the insects bothering the animals! But very late in the evening the animals finally came out of the forest with two calves, which recently were born! These new born calves are the first animals born in Latvia since 2003, when bison arrived in Latvia from the Netherlands and Germany. More information about the European bison and grazing area please find here.

BIRDWATCHING TOWER UNDER THE RECONSTRUCTION.

05/05/2006 This month Pasaules dabas fonds has received the financing from Latvian Environmental Protection fund  (LVAF) for reconstructiom of the bird watching tower in Pape village. It is expected that during the summer the new wooden trail to birdwatching tower will be reconstructed as well as stairs to tower and also the walking platform under the tower will be repaired. The works are already launched and preliminary the tower will be available for the birdwatching tower battles in the end of the May. The works are expected to complete in the September. Intially the birdwatching tower was built in 1996 and till now no major reconstruction works were implemented.

GRAZING AREA WELCOMES THE FIRST VISITORS!

18/04/2006 During the Eastern holidays already the first 116 visitors attended the grazing area, observing the five newborn auroxen calves and exploring the spring bird migration. Also within EU LIFE Nature project the experts are observing the migratory birds and fish species. In April new bird- Common Stonechat (Saxicola torquatus rubicola) was recorded in Pape village. 

THE FIRST FOAL HAS JOINED THE HERDS OF THE WILD HORSES!

10/04/2006 Today the first foal has joined to 29 wild horses in this spring, living on the shores of the Lake Pape. It is expected that during next two months (April-May) more foals will arrive, thus enlarging the existing herds and also giving additional duties to their mothers.

 THE FIRST CALVES HAS ARRIVED.

03/04/2006 On 6 March, the first auroxen calf was born in the meadows of the Lake Pape, thus informing about the arrival of the spring. Later, on 27 March the second calf appeared, although this winter was rather severe for the cattle due to the thick snow, all animals have survived and now enjoying the first spring days. On 2 and 3 April two more calves were noticed in the meadows. The 23 auroxen arrived in the nature park "Pape" in February 2004 within EU LIFE Nature project.

THE FIRST ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION CASE AT PAPE VILLAGE IN 2006!

28/03/2006 During the last weekend, the first illegal construction case this spring was recorded at Pape village. Within few days a new living house was constructed just 50m from the Baltic sea in the dunes. The building is located within 150m Baltic sea protection belt and in the EU protected nature area- nature park "Pape". This building was constructed without the necessary building licences and without confirmation from the Liepaja Region Environmental Board (LRVP). Please see pictures from construction site. Find the press release here in Latvian. 

THE FIRST SPRING MESSENGERS HAVE ARRIVED!

24/03/2006 Just few days ago the first spring messengers- migratory birds have arrived in the nature park "Pape"! Although this year the bird migration is delayed by late spring, birds concentrate in the areas opened from snow and ice. On 24 March were recorded 150 Grey-leg geese (Anser anser), hundred of skylarks (Arlauda arvensis), at least 75 teals (Anas crecca), 54 wigeons (Anas penelope), 1 gadwall (Anas strepera), 10 lapwings (Vanellus vanellus), 8 wood pigeons (Columba palumbus), 15 snipes (Gallinago gallinago) un 3 stock doves (Columba oenas).