Latvian Nature Common Code of Conduct
Latvia’s forests, rivers, lakes, sea, swamps, meadows and other environmental territories are open to anyone who appreciates their content and their beauty and respects their right to exist.
The Code of Conduct offers advice to travellers, observers of nature, researchers, leisure seekers, berry pickers, mushroom hunters, enjoyers of active or passive leisure, or anyone else who goes out into nature.
The content of the Code is contained in five chapters:
- IN VARIOUS NATURAL ENVIROMENTS - what rights and obligations (including - what may and may not be done) a tourist (or visitor) has in specially protected natural areas, forests, water banks, sea coasts, swamps, rock outcrops, agricultural lands, etc. ;
- LEISURE, ACCOMMODATIONS AND COOKING - where and how you can build tents, tie sleeping nets, light fires and prepare meals in nature;
- OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES - how to observe, photograph nature in a nature and environmentally friendly way, go hiking, go on bike rides, pick mushrooms, pick berries, hide (geocaching), collect nature collections, move (where and how) with mechanical means of transport;
- HYGIENE AND WASTE - how to properly deal with natural needs in nature, if toilets are not available and to follow the principle - "What you bring, you take away";
- SAFETY IN NATURE - what are the basic principles of safety, how to navigate in nature, where and how to get drinking water and what to do if you meet an animal in the forest.