[3] NVBR generates nature tourism via the river Salaca, which starts its 95 km long journey from Lake Burtnieks and ends in the Baltic Sea.

In 1990, the North Vidzeme regional nature conservation complex was created by the Latvian government, on the border of the present biosphere reserve.

An administration was created in Salacgrīva which started active planning for the creation of the first biosphere reserve in the country.

In the beginning, the central administration was located in the seaside town of Salacgrīva in a renovated historical building with a staff of 11 members.

Twelve years later, in 2009, the administration of the Biosphere Reserve was integrated into the Nature Conservation Agency of Latvia.