EUROPARC Federation

**Memorandum of Understanding**

**with the United States National Parks Service North East Region**

EUROPARC Members' Questionnaire

  --------------- ---------------------------------------------------------
  Name:           Juris Jatnieks

  Position:       Director

  Organisation:   Teici Nature Reserve

  Address:        Aiviekstes 3., Laudona, LV- 4862, LATVIA

  Tel:            +371 4807202, GSM: +371 9460345

  Fax:            +371 4807200

  E-mail:         Juris@teici.gov.lv
  --------------- ---------------------------------------------------------

Yes, we are interested in an exchange programme with a protected area
in the United States (North East Region).

 No, we are not interested in an exchange programme with a protected
area in the United States (North East Region).

*Please state reason:*

**1. If yes, on which topics would you be interested in pursuing
cooperation?**

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
   organisational development         ecotourism

   sustainability                     marketing

   transboundary management          education

   financing                          other (please state)
                                      \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

**2. If yes, what type of exchange would you be interested in ?**

 at staff level (professional development)

 at political level (Presidents, Board Members)

 other stakeholders (e.g. farmers, tourism businesses)

*continued \....*

3\. If yes, please give a [short]{.underline} description of the
features of your park and main areas of current work:

**The Administration of Teici Nature reserve** is responsible for two,
state owned protected areas -- Teici and Krustkalni nature reserves.

Teici, the largest virgin mire in Baltic, secures 77% from the whole
area (19337 hectares) of **Teici Nature Reserve**. The typical
dome-shaped raised bog landscape dominate in the reserve -- open parts
changes to huge bog -- pool labyrinths and naturally dryer sites, partly
covered by low Scotch pine stands. The Teici mire with 19 lakes have
outstanding importance for protection of waterfowls and other birds, it
hosts 53 species endangered in Europe - such as golden eagle, black
stork, black-throated diver, golden plover, whimbrel. Teici Nature
Reserve is a Ramsar site since 05.04.95 and is inscribed on the List of
Important Bird Areas for Europe.

**Krustkalni Nature reserve** is situated in the Central highland of
Latvia, and covers almost **3000 hectares.**

It maintains the typical forests and clean water bodies of the woody
Madona-Trepe range of hills, reaching the relative height of 70 meters
and rise up over generally flat landscape. Calceous springs running out
from the eastern slope provides remarkable amount of fresh water to the
main lake and river system - natural and unpolluted water bodies, of the
reserve. 90% of the territory is covered by various types of woods,
changing with overgrowing lakes or bogs in the valleys of hills. Some
forest stands reaching 150 - 170 years. 48 species of plants protected
in Europe are found in Krustkalni, several of them are particularly
rare.

The traditionally strong legal protection of both reserves, lasting for
more than 20 years, save high diversity of biotopes and provides living
conditions for extinct and particularly protected bird, animal and
insect species, as well as traditional landscape - lakes, stones, holy
springs with mythological and healing value.

**The main areas of current work:**

-   **nature conservation planning and management,**

-   **scientific research and monitoring of ecosystems and protected
    species,**

-   **inspection and guarding (incl. fire guarding) of both reserves,**

-   **nature conservation law enforcement, proposals for improvement of
    National legislation,**

-   **environmental consulting,**

-   **fundraising and management of projects.**

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  Signed:                             Date:

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

Please return by 20 March 2003 to:

Patrizia Rossi

Parco Naturale Alpi Marittime

# Corso Bianco 5

12010 Valdieri

## ITALY

Email: <parcalma.rossi@tin.it>