Description
In order to ensure the protection of species such as aquatic warbler, stulgys and corncrake, favorable conservation status of habitats needs to be ensured. It is therefore necessary to delay the mowing of wetlands and avoid intensive livestock grazing. It is also necessary to create a suitable maintenance mechanisms for flooded grassland habitats, as well as to encourage local community members to contribute to the protection of bird species in conservation and observation locations. Therefore, the project will create conditions for an economically viable flooded grasslands and nature conservation in the Nemunas Delta habitat. This will also create an opportunity for tourism activities and to provide additional income to the region, while ensuring that the good condition of the region's biological diversity continues to serve as an important prerequisite for socio-economic development in an disadvantaged region. Measures will include providing the local community with equipment necessary for late mowing of grass. These measures will have a direct impact on an area of more than 790 hectares, and will create proper conditions to protect bird species.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to ensure the protection of species such as aquatic warbler, stulgys and corncrake and favorable conservation status of habitats needs. In order to achieve the aim the delay the mowing of wetlands and avoidness of intensive livestock grazing was necessary. The project promoter created a suitable maintenance mechanism for flooded grassland habitats, as well as encouraged local community members to contribute to the protection of bird species in conservation and observation locations. While implementing the project the local community was provided with special agricultural equipment necessary for late mowing of grass. Also information material about protected bird species, unique objects and sustainable farming according the needs of local community was created and spread for local comunity. Together with local community project promeoter organized nature festival "In the middle of the waters", during which foreign experts (project partners from Norway) shared their experiences about nature tourism development and economic benefits it can bring to the region. All these measures had a direct impact on an area of more than 790 hectares, and created proper conditions to protect bird species.
Summary of bilateral results
The Norwegian partner Bioforsk participated in preparation of information for sociaty and activities for encouragement of local community members to contribute to the protection of bird species. Project partner shared their experience in promoting natural tourism territories in Norway, Russia and other countries. The partnership ensured high quality of the project and the dissemination of knowledge.