Forest Sector Awards “Golden Pine Cone 2025” Presented

On Wednesday, 3 December, the annual forest sector awards “Golden Pine Cone 2025” were presented at a formal ceremony. The award tradition, established by the Forest Owners’ Association, the Latvian Forest Industry Federation and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), has for more than two decades highlighted the most significant achievements in Latvian forestry, wood processing and forest-related research.

Lifetime Achievement Award – to LSIWC Leading Researcher Juris Zoldners

The Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry is proud to announce that the Lifetime Achievement Award was received by our long-standing colleague, senior researcher Dr. chem. Juris Zoldners.
At 90 years of age, Juris continues to work actively in the Cellulose Laboratory, contributing to wood chemistry research and passing on knowledge to the next generation of scientists. This award recognises his lifelong contribution to the study of Latvia’s wood resources and to the development of the institute.

Award for Public Education – to the LSIWC Student Council

In the category “For Public Education”, a diploma was awarded to the Student Council of the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry – Ph.D. Daniela Godiņa, Mg.chem. Laima Vēvere and Mg.chem. Matīss Pāls – for their active involvement in science communication, their work in attracting young people to studies, and their contribution to raising public awareness of wood chemistry.
This recognition highlights the initiative of our students and their important role in the institute’s academic environment.

Ministry of Agriculture Certificates of Recognition

Certificates of Recognition from the Ministry of Agriculture were presented to eight members of an inter-institutional working group who have contributed to ensuring fair competition and significantly reduced illegal imports of birch plywood into Latvia.

Significance of the Award

The “Golden Pine Cone” award was established to recognise Latvia’s leading forestry professionals, acknowledge their contribution, and introduce the public to the country’s best foresters, wood industry specialists, researchers and educators. This year, the awards were presented for the twenty-second time.

The Ministry of Agriculture notes that the forest sector is essential to Latvia’s national economy. Forestry in Latvia is based on sustainable wood harvesting, which ensures economic stability through employment and tax contributions, and provides a significant share of GDP, exports and renewable resources.

In 2024, the forest sector’s value added at current prices accounted for 4% of Latvia’s GDP. The sector employs 40,000 people – including 16,000 in forestry and logging, 21,000 in wood processing, and 5,000 in furniture production.
Latvia’s forest sector export value in 2024 reached €3.4 billion, representing 18.3% of total national exports.