Good practice:

Volunteering network “Do for Nature”

Biological invasions are regarded as a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, being responsible for the decline of native species and causing effects like bank erosion and soil degradation.
The initiative seeks to create a sense of cohesion between public authorities, environmental organisations, volunteers and local communities and set forward a participatory and coordinated approach to IAS management.
The aspiration is that local community participation and volunteering will sustain over time, making this a sustainable long-term solution for the management of invasive species.
The network is looking for volunteers to join efforts in the battle against invasive species. Volunteers should be passionate about nature and have a strong desire to contribute in conserving fragile natural ecosystems and keeping it clear of invasive alien species, for the benefit of native wildlife and local communities.
Practical work is combined with capacity building activities, awareness raising campaigns, recreational opportunities and excursions in Latvian nature.
The network provides a wide range of opportunities/ways for volunteers to contribute to IAS management, from invasive plant removal to reporting new sightings.
The initiative is led by the Nature Conservation Agency and is funded by the World Wildlife Fund and by in-kind contributions from environmental organisations, private entities and volunteers.

Volunteers are trained by experienced staff. Everybody can participate - enterprises, schools, families, sport teams. Initiative is actively sponsored by BTA Baltic Insurance Company AAS - EUR 0.25 from each real estate insurance product sold to support initiative’s environ. protection activities.

Thousands of volunteers have so far participated in initiative’s activities tackling invasive species in Latvia. They originate from diverse target groups (businesses, schools, civil society organisations, professional associations, citizens, researchers). This can be seen as one of the most important achievements of the volunteer network, acting as a clear evidence of the initiative’s universal acceptance within the society.

This initiative demonstrates high transferability potential. Similar volunteering initiatives are currently being implemented in several countries across the EU. Volunteering can essentially aid to embed invasive species management at local level, creating a long-term commitment and co-responsibility within the society.
To activate and gather the volunteers is very important to communicate actively through the public media as well as after the each volunteering action to give a public feedback on the finished nature management works from the perspective of the participants and the completed work.
This practice can be potentially interesting for other regions to learn from considering its benefit not only from the perspective of nature management works but also from the socializing, wellbeing and physical activities outdoors.