From 7 to 8 October 2025, the Nordic Wild Berry and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) Conference took place in Rovaniemi (Finland). The event was attended by Senior researcher of LSFRI "Silava", Zane Lībiete and Research assistant Agita Treimane. The Conference gathered over 50 scientists from Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.
During the Conference, the scientists of LSFRI "Silava" presented two reports:
- Commercial thinning affects bilberry and lingonberry cover – on the impact of stand management on bilberry and lingonberry cover;
- Non-wood product monitoring within the framework of the National Forest Inventory in Latvia – on monitoring non-timber forest products as part of Latvia's National Forest Inventory.
The Conference focused on various aspects of sustainable use, processing, resource management, and research of non-timber forest products, primarily wild berries, in the Nordic and Baltic regions. Participants also had the opportunity to visit the Vaatunkiköngäs nature trail and participate in a product tasting organized by the Lapland University biology laboratory, gaining insight into the practical use and research of high-value forest products.
Although representatives of LSFRI "Silava" were the only participants from the Baltic states, their research closely aligns with topics currently relevant in the Nordic countries, laying a strong foundation for future collaboration. Discussions were initiated with Lapland University and the University of Eastern Finland regarding potential joint research projects.
The next conference of this collaborative network is planned for 2027 in Tromsø (Norway).
Presentations of LSFRI "Silava" in the Conference