Riga Stradiņš University (RSU) invites everyone to participate in the "Wild Stories" project by sharing unique experiences from Latvia's forests, specifically stories related to mushroom and berry picking. This initiative is dedicated to documenting and preserving Latvia's natural, cultural, and identity heritage.
The goal of the project is to create a platform where people can share their experiences, thoughts, and adventures related to nature observation, berry and mushroom gathering, or simply being in the forest. "Wild Stories" explores the role of forests in Latvian society – from the economy to identity and ecosystem maintenance.
The project leader, RSU tenured professor and researcher at the Social Sciences Research Centre, Dr. Miķelis Grīviņš, emphasizes that "Wild Stories" provides valuable insight into the Latvian people's connection with nature, particularly forests. "The forest plays a crucial role in Latvian identity – not only as a resource but also as a space for culture and recreation," notes the researcher. The discussions will cover a broad range of topics, from the role of forests in ensuring well-being to the question of how to preserve this knowledge for future generations.
RSU’s "Wild Stories" initiative was also promoted at the recent Wild Things symposium, which took place on October 3rd in Riga, at the Āgenskalns Market. The event brought together researchers from Latvia and abroad to discuss the interaction between nature, culture, and science. This interdisciplinary forum focused on the importance of forests in national identity and their place in literature, culture, and society. The symposium encouraged making science more accessible to the public by choosing the market environment as the meeting place.
"Through this initiative, we aim to deepen the public's understanding of how research works and how scientific processes influence our daily lives. We want to actively promote dialogue between researchers and society, and the Wild Stories initiative is an exciting step towards involving the public as active participants in research," says Ieva Puzo, Head of the RSU Social Sciences Research Centre.
Anyone can submit their story through a special online platform created by RSU. These stories can range from a special discovery of mushrooms or berries, family adventures in the forest, to reflections on the forest’s place in Latvian culture. The goal of the project is to collect and publish these stories, thereby preserving traditions and promoting understanding of the importance of forests.
"Wild Stories" is a unique initiative that invites everyone to share their experiences and stories about mushroom picking, berry gathering, and adventures in the forest. This is one of the first citizen science initiatives by RSU's Social Sciences Research Centre, but it certainly will not be the last. Citizen science means involving the public in scientific research, where residents actively participate in data collection, analysis, or problem-solving.
In this way, everyone is invited to become a co-author in the co-creation of knowledge, helping scientists and society together to address contemporary issues and challenges. The project calls for collective action to preserve and nurture traditions related to nature and prevent the loss of knowledge.
"Latvia's forests, which cover more than 50% of the country’s territory, are an important source of resources and culture. A forest is not just a source of profit; it is also a place for relaxation, fresh air, and strengthening identity," says Dr. Miķelis Grīviņš.
Photo: Pixabay.com
