On 8–9 October 2025, we hosted the LIFE GoodWater IP 3. International conference “Waterside – A Space for Water, Land and People Interactions: Practices and Challenges in River Basin Management”. The event was organized by the LIFE GoodWater IP project in cooperation with Latvian and international partners. The aim of the conference was to foster the exchange of knowledge and experience on effective management solutions for water bodies and their riparian zones, with particular emphasis on the interactions between water, terrestrial ecosystems, and human activities.

Presentations from day 2 of the conference can be found HERE.

As reported, on the first day participants took part in a field visit to Tukums, where they visited the LIFE GoodWater IP demonstration site – a surface flow constructed wetland – as well as other examples of riparian area management. The visit included several locations along the River Slocene and Lake Kaņieris. Participants gained an understanding of sustainable planning solutions and cooperation models among environmental institutions, municipalities, and communities. More about the field trip of 8 October can be read HERE.

On the second day of the conference, 68 participants took part, promoting knowledge exchange between various local and international projects: LIFE is Salaca, LatViaNature, LIFE SIP WetEST, LIFE SIP Vanduo, ENGAGE, CREATE, IMPETUS, LIFE Pilica, and others. The plenary session was opened by Kristīna Veidemane from the Baltic Environmental Forum, who emphasized the importance of an integrated approach to water management and the need to strengthen cooperation between sectors and communities. This was followed by a presentation by Jānis Šīre (Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre), LIFE GoodWater IP project manager, who outlined the goals, achievements, and long-term importance of the project for improving water quality in Latvia. Then, providing an international perspective, Miguel Villoslada (University of Eastern Finland) gave a keynote presentation “Water: Connecting Land, Ecosystems and People”. In his presentation, M. Villoslada highlighted the multifunctionality of water ecosystems and their significance for human well-being and the maintenance of biodiversity.

The plenary session concluded with a panel discussion. Alongside Jānis Šīre and Miguel Villoslada, the panel included Mari Sepp from the Estonian Ministry of Climate – manager of the EU LIFE Strategic Integrated Project LIFE SIP WetEST – and Ieva Vītola, LIFE GoodWater IP communication manager. The discussion was moderated by K. Veidemane. Participants exchanged ideas on how to promote sustainable management of water bodies.

After the plenary session, the conference continued with thematic sessions, allowing participants to focus on topics that best matched their interests.

The session “Forestland–Water Ecosystem Interactions” was moderated by Arta Bārdule from the Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”. Three presentations were given:

1. Enhancing Riparian Zones through Forest Management and Infrastructure – Toms Štāls, Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”, project LIFE GoodWater IP
2. Environmentally Friendly Maintenance of Forest Land Drainage Systems – Jürgen Sarjas, University of Tartu, project LIFE SIP WetEST
3. Riparian Forest Management: LIFE is Salaca Project Experience – Mārcis Saklaurs, Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava”

There was particularly high interest in the topic “Farmland–Water Ecosystem Interactions”, which therefore had two sessions. The first was moderated by Ingrīda Brēmere from the Baltic Environmental Forum. The following presentations were given:

1. Practices for Water and Nutrient Management in Riparian Zones of Agricultural Streams in Latvia – Ainis Lagzdiņš, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
2. Advancing Modelling for Better River Governance: Insights from SGGW – Svajunas Plunge, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, project LIFE SIP VANDUO
3. Springs as a Bridge Between Surface and Groundwater: Science, Management, and Citizen Engagement or What a Spring Can Tell Us About How We Manage Our Waters and Land – Inga Retiķe, University of Latvia, project RIWET

Both agriculture and forestry are economic sectors that significantly affect water bodies and their ecological quality. However, watersides are also shaped by everyone who lives or spends leisure time nearby. The session “Water Banks–People Interactions” analysed how to ensure a balance between human activities and water ecosystems, highlighting the assessment of cultural ecosystem services and the importance of nature restoration. The session was moderated by Agnese Reķe from the Baltic Environmental Forum. Presentations:

1. Comprehensive Framework for Assessment of Freshwater Cultural Ecosystem Services in Latvia – Anda Ruskule, Baltic Environmental Forum – Latvia (with A. Zariņa, A. Reķe, M. Fonteina-Kazeka), project LIFE GoodWater
2. Improving the Ecological Quality of Lake Sila by Mowing Common Reeds – Kristīna Skriba, Augšdaugava Municipality, project LIFE GoodWater IP
3. Restoration of Shallow Bays and Lakes, Focusing on the Biomanipulation Experiment at Lake Harku – Paul Teesalu, Estonian University of Life Sciences (together with A. Rei, Estonian Environmental Board), project LIFE SIP WetEST

After lunch, participants continued with three more thematic sessions. The second part of the session “Farmland–Water Ecosystem Interactions” was moderated by Ainis Lagzdiņš from the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies. The discussions emphasized the need for innovation and public involvement in reducing agricultural runoff, as well as the importance of evaluating pesticide impacts. Presentations:

1. Beyond Buffer Zones: Socio-Economic Insights from the ENGAGE Project for Improved River(side) Nutrient Management – Annija Danenberga, Baltic Studies Centre, project ENGAGE
2. Latvian Case Study on Exploring Nature-Based Solutions for Addressing Eutrophication in the Lielupe River Basin and the Gulf of Riga – Anda Ruskule, University of Latvia, project Water4All: CREATE
3. Similarity Between the Pesticide Cocktails Detected Using POCIS in the River Daugava and the Gulf of Riga Waterside in Autumn 2024 – Daiga Cepīte-Frišfelde, University of Latvia

In the context of climate change, floodplains are becoming increasingly important as not only stabilizers of hydrological conditions but also unique areas of high biodiversity. Reconciling human and natural interests in these zones is especially challenging. The session titled “Floodplain–People Interaction” focused on flood management, the challenges and opportunities associated with beaver activity, and different perspectives on heavily modified water bodies. The session was moderated by Linda Fībiga from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre, and included three presentations:

1. Lake Lubāns Through Different Lenses: Communities, Institutions, and Nature – Karlīna Putniņa, Latvian Fund for Nature (with L. Brizga-Kalniņa), project LIFE GoodWater IP
2. Expert Perspectives on Beavers in Small River Management: How Challenges and Opportunities Are Perceived – Anita Zariņa, University of Latvia (with A. Svece, K. Lakševics, M. Lūkins, I. Vinogradovs)
3. Social Measures in the Portfolio of the Flood Risk Management: Case Study of Jelgava City – Ingrīda Brēmere, Baltic Environmental Forum, project IMPETUS

While the five sessions above focused mainly on the interactions between people and riparian areas, the session “Riparian Sanctuaries – Habitat for Protected Species” discussed the role of riparian zones in maintaining biodiversity. This session was moderated by K. Veidemane and included three presentations:

1. Ecologically Vulnerable Riverine Fish and Where to Find Them – FPV Experience of Importance of Natural Riverbanks – Kaspars Abersons, Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR”
2. Preliminary Monitoring Results of Biological Quality Elements in LIFE GoodWater IP Project Demo Streams – Laura Grīnberga, University of Latvia (with A. Skuja, D. Ozoliņš, N. Uztica), project LIFE GoodWater IP
3. The Impact of Climate Change on the Availability of Ecological Flows and Distribution of Riverine Habitats – Jolanta Jēkabsone, Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre

During each thematic session, participants were invited to ask questions to the speakers. After the presentations, participants shared their reflections and insights, responding to questions posed by the session moderators. The collected answers will be summarized and compiled.

In parallel with the thematic sessions, a poster session also took place, featuring contributions from colleagues representing various projects from Latvia and other European countries, including LIFE is Salaca, LIFE-IP LatViaNature, LIFE Pilica, LIFE SIP Vanduo, and others.

In the closing plenary session, the moderators of the thematic sessions presented summaries of the discussions and key conclusions reached. Participants highlighted the need to strengthen cooperation between science and policy, to promote nature-based solutions, and to ensure active public involvement in water resource management.

The event once again confirmed that effective river basin management can only be achieved by combining scientific knowledge, practical experience, and community enthusiasm. Special thanks are extended to the partners from the Baltic Environmental Forum for organizing the conference.