The 2008 World Environmental Performance Index by Yale University placed Latvia at the top of the list among the most environmentally friendly countries in Eastern Europe and 8th in the world. This year World Environmental Performance Index placed Latvia in 21th place.

But what is World Environmental Performance Index and what it shows to us. "The 2010 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranks 163 countries on 25 performance indicators tracked across ten policy categories covering both environmental public health and ecosystem vitality. These indicators provide a gauge at a national government scale of how close countries are to established environmental policy goals," is said on Environmental Performance Index homepage.

It is estimated that forests in Latvia cover 2.7 million ha or 42 percent of the total land area (64 thousand km²). During the last 70 years this percentage has had a stable trend of growth. But to make Latvia the greenest country in the world, SEB banka has launched a pan-Latvian tree planting campaign in collaboration with Latvia's State Forests titled "Oxygen". In their press release it can be read that aim is  to plant " 2 231 503 spruce and pine trees during the year and throughout Latvia. To reach this goal, all 5th and 6th year pupils and the general Latvian population are invited to start planting trees this spring."

2 231 503 trees? Exactly - one tree for every Latvian. Campaign "Oxygen" ended in June and since spring 2176823 trees has been sown. And total CO2 production - 761889!

"SEB banka is proud to take part in this campaign and promote environmentally friendly thinking and environmental care. The new project "Oxygen" is an initiative aimed at combining forces to prove that Latvia can excel with its nature, greenness, clean air and, even more importantly, the active participation of the youngest generations in the development of this excellence. I sincerely hope that the 5th and 6th year pupils will demonstrate that sowing and growing a tree is an absolutely realistic and achievable task for anyone," said CEO of SEB Latvia Ainārs Ozols.

"Latvia's achievements are remarkable. We have reason to be proud and with some effort can become the greenest country in the world. Sowing and planting trees is an everyday task for Latvia's State Forests, but only together and by involving everyone in Latvia can we look forward to the title of the greenest country in the world," said Tomass Kotovičs, leader of the project "Discover the Forest" by Latvia's State Forests.

So, how each of us can sown our own tree?

Pine and spruce-sowing conditions in much the same. Spruce and pine seeds sow in each box. Pine will be first, while the fir-tree - about a week later.

Boxes can be of any material. The key to the bottom of the hole is where air to circulate. Suitable soil for new trees is the turf. Before sowing check if it isnt dry.

When the soil is prepared, start seeding. Among the seeds should be 2 cm spacing. The finger printed about 1 cm deep cavity, which placed the seed and gently hard. After sowing, it is recommended to rattle a box of about 1 cm thick layer of fine gravel. This discourages some seedlings of the disease.

Ideally the new buds will feel at ambient temperature +18 ° C to +21 ° C. During the first week after sowing, a box can be placed in shadow - for example, under the table. Later it moved to a new, sunnier seat - best on the windowsill.

Immediately after sowing, the first 4-5 days should not worry about watering. If it looks like the upper layer became very dry, then you should water it. Boxes may be placed in one corner of the finger to the bottom and check whether the turf is wet.

*Main and other photos by http://www.skabeklis.lv