Information about project

At present there is no wide-spread practice (or it has been

lost with years) of using sustainable farming methods (grazing, hey-mowing)

in Lithuania. Involving local farmers or

communities is minimal or not present, although their role is disregarded

undeservedly as vegetation that had been removed outgrows rather quickly due to lack of

sustainable measures directed toward keeping grasslands open. That threatens

to lose achievements and ruin results of initially introduced measures in

most valuable habitats.

 

Project “Restoration and Preservation of Biodiversity Important Open

Habitats in Natura 2000 Sites” is being developed with an aim to restore and

improve ecosystem complexes through addressing above indicated problems in

four protected areas – Curonian Spit National Park, Anykščiai Regional Park,

Dzūkija National Park and Čepkeliai Strict Nature Reserve (Ramsar site).

These territories are in different natural conditions (dry meadows of

Šventoji river valley, plain grasslands on Curonian lagoon shore, Stėgaliai

wetland, flooded meadows of Katra river valley) and were selected as diverse

but biodiversity valuable complexes of open habitats with a potential to

apply variety of approaches that could be replicated in other protected

areas Lithuania wide.

 

It is estimated that total area size of restored or improved ecosystems will

reach about 400 ha. Implementation of nature management actions of primary

importance oriented towards restoration of open habitats, such as removal of

shrubs, tree cutting, hey-mowing, grazing in target areas will create

necessary settings important for preservation of nature values and give

impetus for further actions. Moreover, it is equally important that

sustainability of processes will be ensured through tailored mechanisms of

community involvement and created niches for their tangible contribution.

With this purpose favourable conditions for grazing will be created, cattle

(sheep) will be purchased for community use, seminars and tools for

bee-keeping as well as curative herbs will be offered.

 

In order to evaluate effectiveness of applied nature management measures and

realization of results, project personnel from administrations of target

protected areas will perform monitoring activities, implement activities

required for maintaining open habitats and ensure sustainability of actions

after the end of project.

 

Project goals and measures will be widely communicated to responsible state

forestry institutions, municipalities and local administrations, land owners

and users by using local media sources and websites. Local population,

communities, farmers will be invited to join project actions.

cooperation.

 

Project is being implemented by the Directory of the Dzūkija National Park and Čepkeliai Strict Nature Reserve.

 

Project partners are:

 

Value of the Project – 1.095.564,00 Eur.