Teachers Learning about Bogs in 3rd Project Seminar 01/06/2011 10:46

On May 17th, 2011 there was a special seminar for teachers “Education of teachers on the conservation and restoration need of the active raised bog habitats” about rased bogs held in Olaine. It was 3rd project seminar. In spite of rain teachers from Riga, Olaine and Mārupe participated - together 31 participant.

It was possible for all teachers to see also exhibition “Secrets of Mires” in Olaine Museum of History and Art.

The first part of the seminar was teorethical information about Melnais Lake Mire. Projekt Manager Dr.biol. Māra Pakalne informed about nature values in the bog. Ornithologist from the University of Latvia Aivars Petrins told about birds living in raised bogs paying special attention on birds living in Melnais Lake Mire: European Eagle-Owl Bubo bubo, Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus, ducks and geese . Hidrology of bogs and influence of ditches was explained by Dr.geol. Aija Dēliņa. Prsentations of seminar can be found in the end of this page (in Latvian only).

The second part of the seminar was held as an excursion in Melnais Lake Mire. M.Pakalne showed different plants in raised bog. For example Andromeda polifolia, Sphagnum sp., Eriophorum vaginatum and Drosera rotundifolia. Dr.biol Iluta Dauškane explained dendrochronology with some examples using pine wood rings. It was also possible to take a sample of wood with Presler auger.

It was really interesting day for teachers. The knowledge from the seminar can be used in telling children about bogs and taking them to raised bogs.