10th anniversary of Dviete floodplain nature park celebrated
10th anniversary of Dviete floodplain nature park was celebrated on April 12, 2014 in Putnu sala of Bebrene parish, within the Information centre of Dviete floodplain nature park in farm „Gulbji". Representatives of Ilūkste municipality, Nature Conservation Agency, Daugavpils Regional Environmental Board of the State Environmental Service and organisations, implementing the LIFE+ project, land owners and local inhabitants as well as other guests, 95 persons in total, took part in the event.
In the morning participants went on bird watching excursion, leaded by Edmunds Račinskis (Latvian Fund for Nature), to the left bank of Dviete river, where it was possible to watch migrating geese and listen to bird songs. Participants of the excursion visited also the bird watching tower, established by Nature Conservation Agency during the last summer at the northern shore of lake Skuķu. There is a wide view on the lake and birds, occurring there, from the tower.
After the lunch participants listened to the presentations about the history of the nature park: Dāvis Gruberts (Daugavpils University, ‘Dvietes senlejas pagastu apvienība’) told about the history of establishment of the protected area, while Edmunds Račinskis – about nature conservation activities since the establishment of the park.
Presentations were followed by a ceremonious moment outside the Information centre. Thanks were expressed to the people, who have invested their work, heart and soul in the establishment of the nature park and activities during the last 10 years within the area, including Benita Štrausa, leader of the administration of Bebrene parish, Dāvis Gruberts, member of the board of ‘Dvietes senlejas pagastu apvienība’, Albīne Riņķe, owner of the land of „Gulbji” farm, Arnolds Savickis and Guntars Cepurītis, land owners within the park. 10 candles were lighted on the birthday cake.
At the end of the day a hearty concert was given by the post-folk group „Vecpilsētas dziedātāji” within the barn of the farm, restored last autumn.
Ilze Priedniece
15.04.2014.
