On the morning of April 30, 35 young people from Salacgrīva, Viļķene, Rencēni and Sigulda gathered in Vidzeme to participate in an exciting event for Junior Rangers. Already on the first day, curiosity and a sense of community were in the air, as each participant briefly shared their story and interest in nature.

In the first half of the day, the Junior Ranger set out to explore the diversity of the dune forest and coastal ecosystems. Armed with species identifiers, they enthusiastically studied each natural specimen they found. The five-kilometer walk along the seashore turned into a real journey of discovery. On the beach, the young people found eleven mud crabs and identified various snail species with interest.

In the afternoon, upon returning from the coastal exploration, the participants were treated to an informative video viewing. The films, made as part of the LIFE REEF project, provided insight into the everyday lives of fishermen, revealed the problems caused by invasive species, and the secrets of the Baltic Sea’s rocky shoals. Each video screening was followed by an active discussion, in which the young people engaged in conversations about specially protected nature areas (SPNAs), rare plant and animal species, as well as the need to care for natural diversity.

At the end of the day, the Junior Rangers applied the acquired knowledge practically by conducting a water quality study in the Svētupe River. Using special equipment, they took water samples and made measurements to gain insight into the ecological state of the river and better understand the impact of various factors on water quality and the importance of its preservation.

The next day, May 1, was dedicated to the theme of the sea. LIFE REEF project representatives provided young people with an exciting insight into marine biodiversity, with a special focus on invasive species. Junior Rangers learned to recognize invasive alien species found in the Baltic Sea – the well-known mud crab and the Chinese mitten crab.

At the end of the Vidzeme’s Junior Ranger event, the participants feedback was very positive. The day dedicated to the marine theme was particularly noted as an informative experience. Junior Rangers not only expanded their knowledge of marine biodiversity, but also gained practical skills and deepened their understanding of ecosystems. This event strengthened young people’s interest in nature conservation and promoted understanding of ecosystems.