Jurmala Invites Volunteers to Sunset Cleanup to Curb Invasive Plant on Ragakapa Beach
On July 23 from 6 to 8 PM, a cleanup event at Ragakapa Nature Park will target the invasive Tartarian lettuce, organized by the Nature Conservation Agency and Jurmala municipality.
The Nature Conservation Agency and the Jurmala city municipality are calling on residents and nature enthusiasts to join a special sunset cleanup aimed at limiting the spread of the invasive Tartarian lettuce. The event will take place on July 23 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Ragakapa Nature Park, where volunteers will work to clear the beach area of this non-native plant.
The cleanup is part of the initiative “Doing Good for Nature: Sunset Cleanup on the Beach.” Participants will not only help preserve coastal natural values but also learn about dune ecosystems, the impact of invasive species, and coastal biodiversity. To ensure gloves and bags are available, volunteers must register in advance on the “Tiekamies dabā” website event calendar. Exact coordinates will be sent to registered participants.
After the work, organizers invite everyone to stay by the sea and enjoy a small picnic. Tartarian lettuce arrived in Latvia with grain and timber shipments. It thrives in sandy coastal areas due to its tolerance to drought and salinity. Although this small plant with pale violet flowers is not poisonous and is sometimes considered decorative, it can threaten local plant and animal species by altering the natural structure of coastal habitats. Organizers note that previous similar cleanups have helped restore and preserve natural coastal areas.
