In Latvia, storks are symbolically associated with long life and faithfulness. Not only in Latvia but also for many other nations, the stork, known also as svētelis in Latvian, is presumed to be a saintly bird, and blessed is the house which storks choose for nesting. At times when the nation's survival is questioned, households blessed with children become nationally meaningful. It is similarly meaningful that the designs of Latvian money, now a part of the Latvian Cultural Canon, start living a second life on the euro, thus winning recognition for the DNA of the Latvian national culture across the entire euro area. Money is a medium of payment and saving; its design, at the same time, represents the country and its sustainable continuance, with nature conservation as a precondition.

According to Viesturs Ķerus, CEO of Latvian Ornithological Society, around 14 thousand pairs of white storks and 180-240 pairs of black storks are nesting in the territory of Latvia at present.

"Either white storks in the fields or black ones from forest tracts of Latvia, the people of Latvia are deeply concerned about the population of these birds, and those who generally care for birds are members of the Latvian Ornithological Society for 30 years now. Over time, the number of white storks has markedly increased, while that of the black storks has undergone a dramatic decline. On numerous occasions, the population of storks and birds in general is nowadays affected by unreasonable money chasing; admittedly, nature conservation without funding nowadays is not conceivable either. Therefore, we are glad that Latvijas Banka is issuing this coin to serve as a symbolic reminder that financial capability is crucial for well-being while preserving Latvia's natural wealth as its integral part," notes V. Ķerus.

Most populations of both white and black storks are nesting in Europe. Due to insufficient protection, these species are among those distinguished by the European Parliament and Council Directive as requiring effective conservation measures to ensure their survival and reproduction. The black stork is among the European nature conservation flagship species, and ten years ago, Latvia adopted a conservation action plan for their protection. Latvia has participated in all white stork nesting site count campaigns since 1934, including also the most recent 7th International White Stork Census held in all European countries in 2014 and 2015. Often designated as the land of storks, Latvia is proud to be the place where almost 5% of world total white stork nestlings hatch to see the daylight, and, to mark this event, Latvijas Banka is issuing a new 2 euro commemorative coin featuring a stork.

From mid-April to the end of August, Latvia's country landscape is dotted with nests of the white stork (Ciconia ciconia), and during this period people are used to listening to the sounds of bill clattering and to seeing these lanky-bodied birds in the vicinity of ponds and rivers. The black stork (Ciconia nigra), on the other hand, is a widespread yet uncommon bird, seen rarely in marshy areas or inland waters hidden in ancient forest tracts. Most of the white and black stork population nests in Europe. As their current species and habitat conservation status is inadequate, these species are distinguished by the European Parliament and Council Directive as requiring special protection measures to ensure their survival and breeding. The black stork is among the European nature conservation flagship species; 10 years ago, a conservation action plan for the protection of the black stork was adopted also in Latvia. Latvia has participated in all campaigns of the white stork nesting site count since 1934, also in the latest 7th International White Stork Census held in all European countries in 2014–2015. Often designated as the land of storks, Latvia is proud to be the place where almost 5% of the total global white stork nestlings come into the world. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Latvian Ornithological Society, a 2 euro commemorative coin featuring the image of a stork is issued.