During the expedition, participants will have the opportunity to explore the coast and the sea by joining classes and activities led by nature experts, as well as to understand the real situation regarding coastal pollution. We invite all interested individuals to join the expedition team, as is customary each year, by choosing their preferred segment.
Over the course of a month, from July 13th to August 13th, the expedition will traverse the Latvian coast from the Estonian to the Lithuanian border, covering a distance of approximately 500 kilometers. The first meeting will take place this Saturday at 12:30 PM at the Ainaži pier, from where we will head to Kuiviži.
In the first few weeks, expedition participants will get to know the Latvian coast and contribute to the collection of data on marine litter. Various nature experts will join along the way to help better understand and appreciate our coast and sea.
The initial leg of the journey will be accompanied by Artūrs Jansons from the Nature Conservation Agency, who will discuss climate change and the future of the planet. In subsequent segments, other nature experts will join, including Raitis Meļņiks, a scientific assistant at the Latvian State Forest Research Institute "Silava," Ilze Ozola, head of the Peatland Academy, Līga Gavare, a habitat expert from the Latvian Fund for Nature, and Jānis Šlūke, head of the nature education and tourism department at Ķemeri National Park. More information on other activities and lecturers can be found by following the "Mana jūra" Facebook page.
During the first week of the expedition, on July 17th from 10:00 AM, a children's event will be held at the central beach of Saulkrasti with various workshops and activities.
At 10:00 AM:
● SIA “ZAOO” Nature and Technology Park “URDA” mascot, ant Urda, will explain the importance of reducing waste and how to organize a zero-waste picnic in nature.
● The Environmental Education Fund will introduce different types of coastal waste and the monitoring process.
● The "Swim Safely" Association will conduct a workshop for children on water safety called "How Not to Drown" (pre-registration: ej.uz/peldetdrosinodarbibas).
● The "Swim Safely" Association will also conduct training for adult volunteers on water safety supervision (pre-registration: ej.uz/peldetdrosinodarbibas).
At 11:00 AM:
● The Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology will introduce the plants and animals of the Baltic Sea.
In cooperation with the Saulkrasti Municipality and the Environmental Education Fund, a rainwater drain painting will take place at the entrance to Saulkrasti central beach during the event. An artwork will be created to remind people that rainwater drains are not trash bins.
Sign up for the expedition: manajura.lv/pieteiksanas/
For expedition essentials: https://manajura.lv/noderigi/
Expedition schedule: https://manajura.lv/kalendars/
The goal of the Green Expedition (within the LIFE project "From Waste to Resources") is to draw the attention of the Latvian public to the issue of marine litter and to encourage citizens, municipalities, and businesses to work together and take practical action to protect the coast and the Baltic Sea.
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