MECHANISMS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE OPEN habitat conservation involving local communities in Kurtuvėnai and Grazute Regional Parks
Project code:
EEA-LT03-AM-01-K-01-009
EEA-LT03-AM-01-K-01-009
Start date: 12/19/2014
End: 04/30/2016
End: 04/30/2016
Source of funding:
The target for the period 2009-2014. The European Economic Area Financial Mechanism LT03 "Biodiversity and ecosystem services program
The target for the period 2009-2014. The European Economic Area Financial Mechanism LT03 "Biodiversity and ecosystem services program
Funding amount: € 708,689.59
The project promoters and partners:
Artist: Gražutė Regional Park
Partners: Kurtuvėnai Regional Park
Lithuanian Farmers' Union Zarasų Division
HS GROUP AS (Norway)
Artist: Gražutė Regional Park
Partners: Kurtuvėnai Regional Park
Lithuanian Farmers' Union Zarasų Division
HS GROUP AS (Norway)
The aim of the project:
Gražutė (31932,94ha) and Kurtuvėnai (17266,07ha) Regional Parks belong to the group of wooded regional parks abundant in lakes. With local community ageing, vanishing conventional farming (pasturing, haying), open habitats get covered with trees and bushes. It results in diminishing biological diversity. According to the one-off direct payment scheme for areas, in 2013 Gražutė RP territory had only 17.7% (1219ha) agricultural land area declared, while Kurtuvėnai RP had less than 1%(22.17ha). Economically-sustainable mechanism needs to be created to ensure maintenance of open habitats.
The purpose of the project is to develop an innovative mechanism for open habitats management and good condition maintenance in accordance with harmonious development principles in the protected territories, by engaging local communities into the project. The objectives of the project include: preparation of strategic planning documents for open habitats restoration and biological diversity maintenance, acquisition of material resources to ensure long-life of open habitats management and good condition maintenance mechanisms, completion of practical works of open habitats management and good condition maintenance and assurance of sustained management.
Lithuania does not have a single ST targeted programme developed, despite establishment of the regulation of such programmes development back in 2004. In the course of the project, Gražutė and Kurtuvėnai RP open habitats will be recorded and targeted programmes for open habitats restoration and good condition maintenance in the parks will be developed. Programmes will define the assessment criteria for open habitats, during the programmes implementation biological diversity state analysis will be completed, natural and legal persons to be involved in targeted programme implementation will be named, their responsibilities and reporting procedure, analysis of the terms and conditions and expected effect of successful targeted programme implementation will be defined. According to preliminary estimations, the programme will cover about 5600ha (17.5%) of Gražutė RP and about 3100ha (18%) of Kurtuvėnai RP areas.
Targeted programmes to sustain open habitats will be implemented by employing different measures, taking the specifics of ST into consideration. For Gražutė RP, in cooperation with Zarasai Branch of Lithuanian Farmers Union, cattle will be purchased and provided to local communities on the basis of gratuitous use. Machinery will be purchased for biomass removal, habitats management and cattle transportation. In Kurtuvėnai RP, missing equipment for haying and horse pasturing will be acquired and open habitats will be managed by signing agreements with local communities. The burnt barn will be rebuilt and a production line for recycling biomass not suitable for fodder, which must be removed from the meadows in order to protect biological diversity, into compost and litter for horses will be fitted in the rebuilt barn. A partner from Norway will consult on building and installation.
Land plot owners willing to start farming will be invited to attend study trips, will be provided with a possibility to create their material base and with cattle. The project is important not only in terms of environment, but it will also have economic and social effects, as majority of representatives of local communities would not have such possibility if it was not for the project.
Project sustainability will be ensured by targeted programmes developed and approved for Gražutė and Kurtuvėnai RP, which will be prepared for the term of 10 years. Ongoing forums for land owners will be organised to ensure effective activities.
The project will apply innovative decision-making modes bringing long-term economic, social effect and creating value added and engaging local communities.
Gražutė (31932,94ha) and Kurtuvėnai (17266,07ha) Regional Parks belong to the group of wooded regional parks abundant in lakes. With local community ageing, vanishing conventional farming (pasturing, haying), open habitats get covered with trees and bushes. It results in diminishing biological diversity. According to the one-off direct payment scheme for areas, in 2013 Gražutė RP territory had only 17.7% (1219ha) agricultural land area declared, while Kurtuvėnai RP had less than 1%(22.17ha). Economically-sustainable mechanism needs to be created to ensure maintenance of open habitats.
The purpose of the project is to develop an innovative mechanism for open habitats management and good condition maintenance in accordance with harmonious development principles in the protected territories, by engaging local communities into the project. The objectives of the project include: preparation of strategic planning documents for open habitats restoration and biological diversity maintenance, acquisition of material resources to ensure long-life of open habitats management and good condition maintenance mechanisms, completion of practical works of open habitats management and good condition maintenance and assurance of sustained management.
Lithuania does not have a single ST targeted programme developed, despite establishment of the regulation of such programmes development back in 2004. In the course of the project, Gražutė and Kurtuvėnai RP open habitats will be recorded and targeted programmes for open habitats restoration and good condition maintenance in the parks will be developed. Programmes will define the assessment criteria for open habitats, during the programmes implementation biological diversity state analysis will be completed, natural and legal persons to be involved in targeted programme implementation will be named, their responsibilities and reporting procedure, analysis of the terms and conditions and expected effect of successful targeted programme implementation will be defined. According to preliminary estimations, the programme will cover about 5600ha (17.5%) of Gražutė RP and about 3100ha (18%) of Kurtuvėnai RP areas.
Targeted programmes to sustain open habitats will be implemented by employing different measures, taking the specifics of ST into consideration. For Gražutė RP, in cooperation with Zarasai Branch of Lithuanian Farmers Union, cattle will be purchased and provided to local communities on the basis of gratuitous use. Machinery will be purchased for biomass removal, habitats management and cattle transportation. In Kurtuvėnai RP, missing equipment for haying and horse pasturing will be acquired and open habitats will be managed by signing agreements with local communities. The burnt barn will be rebuilt and a production line for recycling biomass not suitable for fodder, which must be removed from the meadows in order to protect biological diversity, into compost and litter for horses will be fitted in the rebuilt barn. A partner from Norway will consult on building and installation.
Land plot owners willing to start farming will be invited to attend study trips, will be provided with a possibility to create their material base and with cattle. The project is important not only in terms of environment, but it will also have economic and social effects, as majority of representatives of local communities would not have such possibility if it was not for the project.
Project sustainability will be ensured by targeted programmes developed and approved for Gražutė and Kurtuvėnai RP, which will be prepared for the term of 10 years. Ongoing forums for land owners will be organised to ensure effective activities.
The project will apply innovative decision-making modes bringing long-term economic, social effect and creating value added and engaging local communities.
Project aims, activities and opportunities were presented to local residents during the project start seminar. Residents were actively invited to contribute to the implementation of the overall aim of the project. The aim of the project is to include local communities and farmers, as well as create an innovative mechanism in the regional park which complies with the sustainable development principles and is used for the management of open habitats (grasslands) and preservation of its good condition. To carry out the inventory of open habitats and prepare target programmes (which would be the first such programmes in Lithuania) for the restoration of open habitats and the maintenance of their good condition. To ensure the ecological stability of open habitats and promote social employment, as well as economic development in the region.
2015-02-25 Residents of Gražutė Regional Park were invited to participate and contribute to the new project implementation and target programme development "Development of Tvariai mechanisms for the preservation of open habitats by including local communities in Gražutė and Kurtuvėnai regional parks" project, financed by the financial mechanism of the European economic area.
Gražutė Regional Park farmers and other residents who want to carry out farming activities and who have land within the regional park territory were invited to participate in the selection and receive, under loan agreements, monthly beef cattle and sheep which will help ensure the good maintenance of open habitats. Residents who attended the seminar were interested in the opportunities provided by the projects and we have received a lot of applications.
Procedures for the transfer of cattle and sheep to farmers and priority criteria:
1. The farmer submits a filled out application form to receive cattle and sheep to the project administrator of Gražutės Regional Park Directorate Laura Ivanauskienė 8 38559426, laura@grazute.lt or to the chairman of Zarasai Department of the Lithuanian Farmers’ Union Darius Viliūnas 8 647 15580, darius.viliunas@gmail.com
2. Zarasai Department of the Lithuanian Farmers’ Union forms a commission of 3 people, which will make decisions related to the assigned cattle and sheep.
3. The commission visits the farms of farmers who submitted the applications and assesses the prospective living conditions for cattle.
4. The commission makes a decision on the assignment of cattle.
5. Representative of the Commission signs a cattle assignment agreement with the farmer.
Priority criteria for receiving cattle and sheep
1. The larger the area of the fields and pastures owned by the farmer in Gražutė Regional Park.
2. The higher the number of requested cattle or sheep.
3. Farmer's experience of keeping cattle and sheep.
2015-02-25 Residents of Gražutė Regional Park were invited to participate and contribute to the new project implementation and target programme development "Development of Tvariai mechanisms for the preservation of open habitats by including local communities in Gražutė and Kurtuvėnai regional parks" project, financed by the financial mechanism of the European economic area.
Gražutė Regional Park farmers and other residents who want to carry out farming activities and who have land within the regional park territory were invited to participate in the selection and receive, under loan agreements, monthly beef cattle and sheep which will help ensure the good maintenance of open habitats. Residents who attended the seminar were interested in the opportunities provided by the projects and we have received a lot of applications.
Procedures for the transfer of cattle and sheep to farmers and priority criteria:
1. The farmer submits a filled out application form to receive cattle and sheep to the project administrator of Gražutės Regional Park Directorate Laura Ivanauskienė 8 38559426, laura@grazute.lt or to the chairman of Zarasai Department of the Lithuanian Farmers’ Union Darius Viliūnas 8 647 15580, darius.viliunas@gmail.com
2. Zarasai Department of the Lithuanian Farmers’ Union forms a commission of 3 people, which will make decisions related to the assigned cattle and sheep.
3. The commission visits the farms of farmers who submitted the applications and assesses the prospective living conditions for cattle.
4. The commission makes a decision on the assignment of cattle.
5. Representative of the Commission signs a cattle assignment agreement with the farmer.
Priority criteria for receiving cattle and sheep
1. The larger the area of the fields and pastures owned by the farmer in Gražutė Regional Park.
2. The higher the number of requested cattle or sheep.
3. Farmer's experience of keeping cattle and sheep.
Educational trip for landowners
2015-06-08 Gražutė Regional Park residents who have land within the park area (landowners, farmers and those who want to start farming) were invited to learn more about farming practices preserving landscape values, open habitats and biodiversity, and to participate in educational tours to Kurtuvėnai and Varniai regional parks. As well as to share good practices and receive new ideas. During the educational trip, participants visited Kurtuvėnai and Varniai regional parks, gained experience from the farmers of that region, and had the opportunity to visit Kurtuvėnai Manor homestead and stables. They learned about how Dubysa Valley is managed by Kurtuvėnai Regional Park by using beef cattle, and surveyed Girnikai mount and the springs of Svilė.
2015-06-08 Gražutė Regional Park residents who have land within the park area (landowners, farmers and those who want to start farming) were invited to learn more about farming practices preserving landscape values, open habitats and biodiversity, and to participate in educational tours to Kurtuvėnai and Varniai regional parks. As well as to share good practices and receive new ideas. During the educational trip, participants visited Kurtuvėnai and Varniai regional parks, gained experience from the farmers of that region, and had the opportunity to visit Kurtuvėnai Manor homestead and stables. They learned about how Dubysa Valley is managed by Kurtuvėnai Regional Park by using beef cattle, and surveyed Girnikai mount and the springs of Svilė.
2015-10-19 Representatives, farmers and residents of communities of Gražutė Regional Park area, as well as representatives of municipal authorities were invited to the meeting regarding the inclusion of Communities into the target programme planning process. The meeting is intended for inviting land managers and users to contribute to the creation of a mechanism in the regional park which complies with the sustainable development principles and is used for the management of open habitats and preservation of its good condition. The meeting is also intended to encourage residents to engage in traditional farming.
During the meeting, cooperation opportunities for communities, farmers and landowners were presented in the project "Development of Tvariai mechanisms for the preservation of open habitats by including local communities in Gražutė and Kurtuvėnai regional parks" (hereinafter referred to as project).
An inventory of open habitats was carried out by the public institution Nature Heritage Fund when implementing the project across the entire GRP area. The carried out inventory of open habitats was presented to participants of the meeting by doctor of biomedicine Zigmantas Gudžinskas.
The aim of the inventory process of open habitats in Gražutė Regional Park was to inventory and to map open habitats according to EUNIS habitat classification, to assess the ecological condition and value of habitats, as well as any threats that might affect them, and to propose measures for their preservation and management. Inventory and mapping must be carried out in Gražutė and Kurtuvėnai regional parks for open habitats belonging to the following EUNIS types: wetland and springy habitats; meadow and high grassland habitats; heathland and scrub habitats; inland sparsely vegetated or unvegetated habitats; regularly or recently cultivated habitats and gardens; constructed industrial and other artificial habitats. Since part of the open habitats become naturally overgrown with trees and shrubs, inventory was carried out in areas that are overgrown with forests (with > 5 m high trees) by no more than 20 %, and shrubs – by no more than 40 % of the habitat area. During fieldwork, invasive and non-native species that threaten the ecosystems are registered and their population size is assessed.
The most important environmental problems:
1. Poor use of grasslands and pastures
2. Abandoned grasslands and pastures become overgrown with trees and shrubs
3. Afforestation of open areas
4. Encroachment of invasive and non-native species into grassland habitats
5. Wetlands become overgrown with reeds and shrubs.
Large-leaved lupine is the most common invasive plant species across Gražutė Regional Park area. Other common invasive species: Sosnowsky's hogweed, phalacroloma septentrionale, Canada goldenrod, common broom, Asiatic dock, box elder.
During the meeting, cooperation opportunities for communities, farmers and landowners were presented in the project "Development of Tvariai mechanisms for the preservation of open habitats by including local communities in Gražutė and Kurtuvėnai regional parks" (hereinafter referred to as project).
An inventory of open habitats was carried out by the public institution Nature Heritage Fund when implementing the project across the entire GRP area. The carried out inventory of open habitats was presented to participants of the meeting by doctor of biomedicine Zigmantas Gudžinskas.
The aim of the inventory process of open habitats in Gražutė Regional Park was to inventory and to map open habitats according to EUNIS habitat classification, to assess the ecological condition and value of habitats, as well as any threats that might affect them, and to propose measures for their preservation and management. Inventory and mapping must be carried out in Gražutė and Kurtuvėnai regional parks for open habitats belonging to the following EUNIS types: wetland and springy habitats; meadow and high grassland habitats; heathland and scrub habitats; inland sparsely vegetated or unvegetated habitats; regularly or recently cultivated habitats and gardens; constructed industrial and other artificial habitats. Since part of the open habitats become naturally overgrown with trees and shrubs, inventory was carried out in areas that are overgrown with forests (with > 5 m high trees) by no more than 20 %, and shrubs – by no more than 40 % of the habitat area. During fieldwork, invasive and non-native species that threaten the ecosystems are registered and their population size is assessed.
The most important environmental problems:
1. Poor use of grasslands and pastures
2. Abandoned grasslands and pastures become overgrown with trees and shrubs
3. Afforestation of open areas
4. Encroachment of invasive and non-native species into grassland habitats
5. Wetlands become overgrown with reeds and shrubs.
Large-leaved lupine is the most common invasive plant species across Gražutė Regional Park area. Other common invasive species: Sosnowsky's hogweed, phalacroloma septentrionale, Canada goldenrod, common broom, Asiatic dock, box elder.
Inventory data will be used for the preparation of a target programme for the restoration of open habitats in Gražutė Regional Park and for the maintenance of the good condition of these habitats. This programme will provide ways to preserve the biodiversity of open habitats in these areas.
The goal of target programmes is to set aims, objectives and assessment criteria aimed at solving the identified problems.
The target programme will consist of:
1. general part describing the object of the programme, providing an analysis of the current condition and describing the affecting factors;
2. programme aims, objectives, assessment criteria and measures;
3. fund requirements for the implementation of the provided measures;
4. natural persons and legal entities implementing the target programme, their liability and settlement procedures for the provided results;
5. analysis of successful target programme implementation conditions and the expected effects.
The goal of target programmes is to set aims, objectives and assessment criteria aimed at solving the identified problems.
The target programme will consist of:
1. general part describing the object of the programme, providing an analysis of the current condition and describing the affecting factors;
2. programme aims, objectives, assessment criteria and measures;
3. fund requirements for the implementation of the provided measures;
4. natural persons and legal entities implementing the target programme, their liability and settlement procedures for the provided results;
5. analysis of successful target programme implementation conditions and the expected effects.
Second educational trip for landowners
2015-10-29 Gražutė Regional Park residents, landowners, farmers and other interested persons were invited to learn more about farming practices preserving landscape values, open habitats and biodiversity, and to participate in an educational tour to Aukštaitija National Park, Labanoras and Anykščiai regional parks. As well as to share good practices and receive new ideas. Trip participants visited the treetop walking path and met Vygantas Šližius, a businessman carrying out farming activities within the area of Anykščiai National Park and Kurkliai Geomorphological Reserve. The farmer and businessman invested 2 million litas into stock-raising and established UAB Vaja Farm where, within his own and leased land in Bliuvonys village, the businessman keeps around 200 purebred Aubrac and crossbred Shorbrac cows and bulls which he bought in Germany.
2015-10-29 Gražutė Regional Park residents, landowners, farmers and other interested persons were invited to learn more about farming practices preserving landscape values, open habitats and biodiversity, and to participate in an educational tour to Aukštaitija National Park, Labanoras and Anykščiai regional parks. As well as to share good practices and receive new ideas. Trip participants visited the treetop walking path and met Vygantas Šližius, a businessman carrying out farming activities within the area of Anykščiai National Park and Kurkliai Geomorphological Reserve. The farmer and businessman invested 2 million litas into stock-raising and established UAB Vaja Farm where, within his own and leased land in Bliuvonys village, the businessman keeps around 200 purebred Aubrac and crossbred Shorbrac cows and bulls which he bought in Germany.
Skudde sheep are already being raised in the farms of residents of Gražutė Regional Park
100 Skudde sheep had to be purchased during the implementation of the project. They were bought at the beginning of January in 2015 and given under loan agreements to local residents who have land within Gražutė Regional Park area. After the expiration of their loan agreements, farmers will have to return any livestock offspring to Zarasai Department of the Lithuanian Farmers’ Union, to maintain the number and gender of the received livestock. The Farmers’ Union will give, under loan agreements, the returned livestock to other local residents who have land within Gražutė Regional Park area, thus ensuring the continuity of the project.
100 Skudde sheep had to be purchased during the implementation of the project. They were bought at the beginning of January in 2015 and given under loan agreements to local residents who have land within Gražutė Regional Park area. After the expiration of their loan agreements, farmers will have to return any livestock offspring to Zarasai Department of the Lithuanian Farmers’ Union, to maintain the number and gender of the received livestock. The Farmers’ Union will give, under loan agreements, the returned livestock to other local residents who have land within Gražutė Regional Park area, thus ensuring the continuity of the project.
PRESENTATION OF THE INITIAL SOLUTIONS OF THE TARGET PROGRAMME FOR THE RESTORATION OF OPEN HABITATS IN GRAŽUTĖ REGIONAL PARK AND FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THEIR CONDITION
In 2016-02-26, a meeting was held for active local community representatives, farmers, residents, as well as representatives of municipal authorities and all other interested persons. Target programme aims, objectives, assessment criteria, measures and fund requirements for the implementation of the provided measures were presented during the event. Landowners learned about the measures offered for their land plots, which are aimed at restoring and maintaining the open habitats and biodiversity. Programme solutions were presented by employees of the public institution Nature Heritage Fund - dr. Zenonas Gulbinas, dr. Zigmantas Gudžinskas, Egidijus Žalneravičius and Vaidotas Valskys.
The aim of target programmes is to establish open habitat assessment criteria, biodiversity condition, measures for habitat restoration and maintenance of good condition in specific areas, implementing persons, liability, the need for resources and means, possible sources, expected effects and control measures.
Benefits – based on the target programmes, specific activities will be carried out to maintain, restore and preserve open habitats by ensuring the good condition of the biodiversity.
In 2016-02-26, a meeting was held for active local community representatives, farmers, residents, as well as representatives of municipal authorities and all other interested persons. Target programme aims, objectives, assessment criteria, measures and fund requirements for the implementation of the provided measures were presented during the event. Landowners learned about the measures offered for their land plots, which are aimed at restoring and maintaining the open habitats and biodiversity. Programme solutions were presented by employees of the public institution Nature Heritage Fund - dr. Zenonas Gulbinas, dr. Zigmantas Gudžinskas, Egidijus Žalneravičius and Vaidotas Valskys.
The aim of target programmes is to establish open habitat assessment criteria, biodiversity condition, measures for habitat restoration and maintenance of good condition in specific areas, implementing persons, liability, the need for resources and means, possible sources, expected effects and control measures.
Benefits – based on the target programmes, specific activities will be carried out to maintain, restore and preserve open habitats by ensuring the good condition of the biodiversity.