The Northern Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve has been established in 1997. Ziemeļvidzeme Biosphere Reserve (ZBR) is the only specially protected nature territory of this kind in Latvia. It is a vast territory in which nature and landscape treasures of international significance are being preserved, ensuring sustainable social and economic development.
The territory of the ZBR covers 457 600 ha of land and 16 750 ha of the sea. It was established in 1997 and already on 15 December 1997 was recognized as a protected territory of international significance in the framework of UNESCO’s MAB (Man and the Biosphere) Programme. The goal of the Biosphere Reserve on national and international level is to reach a balance in the protection of natures’ diversity, fostering of economic development and safeguarding of cultural values.
In 2009 the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO in cooperation with the Northern Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve has developed a handbook in English and Russian language for the management of biosphere reserves.
