Organisation: Student scientific society of natural sciences

Website: Facebook page

Dates: July 2012, October 2016, March 2017

Place: Meteliai regional park, Vilnius, Labanoras regional park

Description of the activity:

• In 2012 we removed common bulrush (Typha latifolia) from ponds, inhabited by turtles (Emys orbicularis).
• In 2016 we planted trees in the green area of the city, close to Vilnius University.
• In 2017 we removed common reed (Phragmites australis) from intermediate bog, which is important habitat for rare and protected plants species (Saxifraga hircula, Pinguicula vulgaris). 

What was the environmental problem:

• If pond is covered with too much vegetation, it gets less sunlight, warmth and becomes unsuitable for turtles. As they are included in IUCN list, protected in Lithuania and included in Lithuanian Red Book, the team removed bulrush in order to improve turtles' living conditions and increase their population.
• Green areas in the city are important not only for recreation, but also as habitats for various plants and animals species. While city is growing, natural areas are disturbed, so it is important to restore them. Trees the team planted will form a mature stand in the future.
• In many places in Lithuania intermediate bogs are overgrowing with common reed. This process has negative impact on protected plants species (Saxifraga hircula, Pinguicula vulgaris), which are specific for this habitat. Scientific research show, that right wetlands management has positive effect on populations of these plants. Removing of common reed is one of the most effective way to make the positive impact on populations of these plants.

The result of the activity:

• The living conditions for turtles were improved, further ponds management is done by regional park.
• About 30 trees of several species (pines, birches, common hornbeams, maples ...) were planted and green area close to University restored.
• Conditions for mentioned plant species were improved and further wetland management as well as researches are made by regional park.

Environmental challenge accepted - Public vote

Main page of the project