The badge of the Latvian State Forestry Service

Large circular silvered metal badge; the face with the arms of Latvia within an oak wreath .

When Latvia became independent after World War I, large private forests were divided amongst small farmers but the huge tracts owned by the Russian Crown passed to the State and were managed by the State Forestry Service which also advised private owners on forestry techniques. The success of the Service may be judged from the fact that between 1923 and 1991 the percentage of Latvia afforested rose from 24.7% to 41%.