Local activity
Edication in Lithuania
Turtle days
The first turle day turtle day was organised on 13th October 2006 in L03 project site. Before that day pupils have been regularly been involved with activities. In spring 2006 a 300 m long fence with amphibian traps was built along the road that crosses amphibian migratory routes from the lowlands to Slavantai Lake. Together with staff from VRP pupils collected amphibians and carried them to the other side of the road. Also 4 lectures were held in the school and movie about turtle demonstrated. The paint competition was organised. 300 pupils took part in the events. The local newspaper “Lazdiju zvaigzde” and the national newspaper “The Green World” printed articles about the turtle day.
In project site L05 excursion was held on 12th October for local school of Krikstonys. The children visited ponds for Another turtle day was extra organised to educate local people about pond ecosystems and conservation. The main idea was to educate people not to introduce fish in dug ponds for turtle near to nesting sites. 15 participants took part; more than 30 local owners of land were educated by personal meetings.
On 2007 28th turtle day was organized in Zuvintas biosphere reserve L01. Up to 25 school pupils participated in the event from the neighbourhood schools. The 2 lectures on protection of Pond turtle and rare amphibian were given during event. In additional 1 lecture was given on habitat management and role of grazing in conservation of turtles and amphibians, 2 movies (1 on Pond turtle, 1 on biodiversity of Zuvintas biosphere reserve) were performed. Turtle day was organized by Zuvintas club in cooperation with Lithuanian Fund for Nature and Zuvintas biosphere reserve.
In Kuciuliskes L05 turtle day with help action was organised on 27th of November. 30 participants: volunteers, students and pupils from local school took part in this event.
Up to 10 lectures were given to pupils in schools by visits of park ecologists. About 200 pupils educated about protection of target species.
On October 4, 2008 one turtle day was organised in Meteliai regional park L04. 47 school pupils and teachers from Seirijai gymnasium, Veisiejai and Meteliai schools took part in the event. The turtle day was dedicated to Word Animal day. The biggest constructed metallic turtle could place all event participants. The event followed by lecture on turtle protection. The event was organised by Meteliai regional park, Lithuanian Fund for Nature and Zuvintas club.
Seminars
On 7 December 2007 seminar “Protection of pond turtle and amphibians” was organized in Zuvintas biosphere reserve L01 by following excursions in Meteliai and Veisiejai regional parks and other project sites. Around 30 participants took part in the seminar. The audience of the seminar was land owners, foresters, and staff of local and regional municipalities, protected areas stuff. 1 lecture and 3 excursions were performed.
Cattle (grazer) exhibitions
On 20th May 2006 grazer exhibition was held in farm in Alytus district near to Zuvintas biosphere reserve. Around 30 farmers from projects sites and others from districts of the region had opportunity to learn on keeping and grazing of “Angus” breed of beef cattle. In following week on 27th April 2006 seminar was held in Veisiejai Regional Park. An expert Tomas Tukaciauskas from State Protected Areas service introduced keeping and using meat cattle, and explained on different breeds of meat cattle as well as applying in agri-environmental schemes. 23 farmers took part in the event.
On 22 November 2006 grazer exhibition was held in Krikstonis, Kuciuliskes project site, Meteliai Regional Park. Galloway’s cattle were introduced to local farmers. Around 10 participants took part in the presentation.
On 15 June 2007 cattle exhibition was organized in Zuvintas biosphere reserve. The aim of exhibition was to introduce heavy grazers in meadow management. Around 60 farmers, foresters, staff from regional and local authorities, protected areas administrations as well as from Ministry of Environment, State Protected Areas Service took part in the event. Excursion to Zuvintas project site grazed by Hereford breed was part of the event.
On 18 September 2007 cattle day was organized in Zuvintas biosphere reserve. The aim of the exhibition was to share experience on managing of cattle in meadows. 20 participants representing farmers from surrounding areas, students of agricultural school, stuff of local authority took part in the event.
Education in Poland
Turtle days
1st turtle day was held on 7 – 9 June 2006 in Bialowieza national park. The target group was students of the “Common University”. The aim of the event was to introduce protection and management measures to the students.
Amphibian days
Amphibian days are organised yearly in Bialowieza national park in 2005-2008. Regularly in March – May staff of the park jointly with pupils and volunteers installed fences around the roads and were regularly checking the traps for amphibians trying to cross the road and releasing out the dangerous areas. Training and lectures followed events. Around 400 participants took part in the amphibian rescue days. In total about 200 field days were used in the period.
Seminars
1st seminar: On 9 March 2007 KP organized seminar in Lagow. The aim of the seminar was to discuss conservation problems of Pond turtle in west Poland. Around 30 representatives from local forest management departments, from three Voivodship nature conservation offices and land owners participated in the seminar.
2d and 3d seminars: On 21 – 23 March and 24 April 2007 Bialowieza national park organized seminar in its education centre on protection of Pond turtle and amphibians. Around 50 participants from different field of interest took part in 2 seminars.
Education in Germany
Amphibian days
On 12 August 2006 LFV organized an amphibian day. General public and pupils took part in the event in the Oberes Rhinluch camp.
On 26 – 27 October 2007 LFV organized amphibian day in Linum for general public.
On 25 May 2008 bicycle excursion to the project sites at the Upper Rhinluch took place. The new created ponds and hibernation sites were shown, monitoring methods and results were demonstrated for participants. The discussions on protection of amphibian followed excursion.
On 18 May 2008 Agena organized open amphibian and turtle day in conservation station, Brandenburg area. Mainly general public visited exhibition in the station and learn about protection of rare species.
Turtle days
On 26 – 27 October 2007 LFV organized amphibian day in Linum for general public.
On 23 August 2008 Agena organized in Feldberg – Lychen Nature Park. The minister of Brandenburg and Mecklenburg lands took part in the event as well as representatives from nature conservation and regional authorities. During the event young turtle were released to wild
Seminars
In the period from 31 March to 4 April 2006 Agena organized 5 local seminars on the protection of Pond turtle: 2 in site Da02, 1 in Da04, 1 in D101 and 1 general in Berlin. The participants (land owners, staff of local authorities and nature conservation bodies, as experts) took part in the seminars.
On 19 – 21 April 2007 seminar was held in Hainholz. Nature conservation specialists with some of representatives from land authorities took part in the discussion on conservation of Pond turtle and amphibians.
On 26 March 2008 was held meeting in Markische Schweitz Nature Park (project site Da02). Nature reserve manager, foresters, nature conservation authorities, farmers and NGO took part in the seminar.
On 18 – 20 April 2008 seminar was held in Senftenberg. Nature conservation specialists with some of representatives from land authorities took part in the discussion on conservation of Pond turtle and amphibians.
On 15 July 2008 Agena organized conference on predator management in Berlin. The participants from research institutions, nature conservation and land authorities discussed measures on predator management. Special attention was given on Pond turtle predators.
International activity
Kick-off meeting
(this is more like part of action F1 as it was not a workshop)Kick-off-meeting was held in Glambecker Mühle, one of Agena’s project sites18.03.2006 to 19.03.2006 with participation of LFN, KP, Agena, LFV, AGUG, and external amphibian specialist. Main objective on the meeting was introduction of the project, planning and communication among the project partners. Give program list of attendants (should include people external of the project, not involved in project implementation!!!)
Study tours
1st Study tour was held in one of Agena’s project sites 06 to 07.05.2006 with participation of LFN, KP, Agena, LFV, and AGUG. An important part of the meeting was in practice demonstration of trapping equipment and radio tracking equipment, on which use Agena has many years of experience. Together the meeting of Steering Committee was organised. Subjects discussed during SC meeting: Status on purchase of equipment, communication in the project, monitoring methods, local management plans, genetic investigation, web page, monitoring of effects of project actions, constitution of the SC, evaluation of planned project progress until next reporting date of the project.
2d Study tour took place by 11 – 15.09.2007 in West Poland, Germany and Denmark with participation of LFN, BNP, KP, Agena, LFV, AUGUG and external amphibian expert and IPM. The participant visited project sites Zachodnie Pojezierze Krzywinskie and Ujscie Ilanki (West Poland), in Brandenburg (Germany) and Fyn island (Denmark). Participants shared knowledge and experience in management of habitats and creation of new habitats, evaluation and monitoring of ponds.
International workshops
1st workshop was organised from 27.06.2006 to 03.07.2006. The international workshop took place in Lithuania and north-east Poland with participation of local managers of LFN, ZBR, MRP, VRP, Agena, AGUG, external amphibian expert and IPM. The participants visited project sites in Zuvintas Biosphere Reserve, Meteliai- and Veisiejai Regional Parks, Straciunai- and Kuciuliskes Herpetological Reserve (Lithuania) and Bialowieza National Park (Poland). During seminar practical testing of monitoring methods was applied. Whole range of ponds was evaluated and actions for improvement discussed. Good habitat indicators were defined by evaluating habitat and reproduction parameters.
On site education
In Lithuania
Notice boards were placed in 4 project sites in spring 2007 in 3 sites L03, L04, L05 when management started to be implemented. Later in spring 2008 notice boards were changed into information boards in sites L03, L04, L05, and L01. The information boards contain information about the target species, their importance, threats and management measures. The information boards and notice boards attached in pictures.
Nature trail has been built in Zuvintas biosphere reserve in 2007. The nature trail is installed on shoreline 200 m away from dug ponds. It is equipped with information’s boards and it is used for education general people from the different regions and countries.
In Germany
Notice boards erected in 1 site.
