Agnese Balandina

Nature Conservation Agency

Agnese’s education and initial work experience seem to have little relation to nature and tourism matters at first - she got Master’s Degree in English Philology at the University of Latvia in 2002 and worked 10 years for Latvian Radio as a news editor (1998-2008). Nevertheless, Agnese has always considered nature as her main passion and driving force in life. She joined Latvian Ornithological Society in 1997, started active volunteering for this organization straight away, became a member of its council shortly afterwards and worked as an editor of the magazine „Birds in Nature” for a few next years. Experience in this organization helped a lot to understand the challenges to be faced in nature protection and to realize the complexity of each of these issues. In the same time, the lengthy period spent in one of the leading national media proved the essential role and power of regular, good quality and target - oriented communication as well as importance of involvement of and listening to all interested parties.

With this store of knowledge freshly in mind, Agnese started her work in Ķemeri National Park in 2008, now supervised by Nature Conservation Agency. After implementing new initiatives in communication with local society, organization of educational events and some other matters, Agnese is now involved in the Charter process, cooperation with stakeholders and other activities within the „Parks and Benefits” Project.
Nature Conservation Agency is the organization providing implementation of unified nature protection policy in Latvia. Main functions of Nature Conservation Agency include management of all protected areas in Latvia, supervision of CITES convention, education and informing society, etc.
Website of the organization: www.daba.gov.lv

Contact details:

Agnese Balandiņa
Nature Conservation Agency
Riga Regional Administration
e-mail: agnese.balandina@daba.gov.lv
phone: + 371 67146824