Landowners in Bauskas Municipality Show Most Interest in Restoring Degraded Peatlands in Zemgale
The Zemgale Planning Region has begun free revitalisation strategies for 116.2 hectares of former peat extraction sites. Bauskas Municipality accounts for the largest share.
Free strategies have been launched in Zemgale, a region of Latvia, to restore 116.2 hectares of former peat extraction sites, according to the Zemgale Planning Region (ZPR). Bauskas Municipality is the most widely represented area. The documents are meant to help landowners assess how the land could be used and prepare to apply for European Union (EU) funding.
Scope of the project
The strategies are being prepared under the project “Support for the Revitalisation of Historical Peat Extraction Sites”, organised by the Vidzeme Planning Region together with the other planning regions. Across Latvia, more than 9,000 hectares of former peatlands have been inventoried, and revitalisation is recommended on 2,166 hectares. In Zemgale, targeted revitalisation is recommended on 243 hectares, and owners have shown interest in about half of that. Across the four participating regions – Zemgale, Vidzeme, Latgale and Kurzeme – strategies are being drawn up for roughly 989 hectares. No documents are prepared for areas covered by the “polluter pays” principle.
Who is taking part in Zemgale
Strategies are being developed for 20 land units in the region. Nearly 105 hectares belong to private individuals, 7.3 hectares to legal entities, and municipalities are putting forward 3.9 hectares. In Bauskas Municipality the sites lie in Vecumnieki, Vecsaule and Bārbele parishes, covering more than 115 hectares. A small part is in Kalnciems parish of Jelgava Municipality.
Next steps
Experts will further study the remaining peat depth, groundwater level and drainage systems, calculate the potential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and take owners' plans into account. In Zemgale, the most commonly recommended options are growing bog berries such as large cranberries and blueberries, and afforestation; in some places, restoring the bog ecosystem is advised. Each owner will receive an action plan with required documentation, practical work, indicative costs and a 15-year management plan.
The strategies are advisory and do not oblige owners to carry out the proposed solutions. If an owner decides to restore a site, the information can be used to prepare projects and seek support from the Just Transition Fund. Funding rounds are provisionally planned for the fourth quarter of 2026. Municipalities will have €2.01 million available, and private landowners €15.07 million.
