All project sites (except Žuvintas biosphere reserve, where only the core area is strictly protected) are strict nature reserves and no significant management was carried out since establishment of such protection status. No management planning was carried out either. Due to lack of management valuable seminatural habitats started degrading and appeared in unfavourable status.

The project had to start from the scratch, i.e. to prepare management plans, purchase most important equipment for management and initiate activities that are important to sustain certain nature values. 

MANAGEMENT PLANS and OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

The first aim of the project was to prepare management plans for all project sites.

Čepkeliai reserve management plan was prepared and approved in the second half of 2005. Kamanos, Viešvilė and Žuvintas reserve management plans were approved in the first half of 2006. Cartographic part of management plans is available on the internet: Čepkeliai, Kamanos 1st part, Kamanos 2nd part, Viešvilė 1st part, Viešvilė 2nd part, Žuvintas 1st part, Žuvintas 2nd part

Additionally, integrated Dovinė river management plan was prepared for sustaining of the Žuvintas wetland that is dependent on management of all the basin.

Furthermore, preparation of the management plan for Kamanos reserve revieled the need for more detailed hydrology restoration plan (in Lithuanian) for the wetland complex, which was prepared at the end of 2006.

Technical drawings of fish ladders planned to be built on the two dams of the Viesvile rivulet were prepared in 2005.

EQUIPMENT

Having the management plans and mentioned additional supporting documents approved the project sites were provided with relevant nature management equipment.

Amphibian reed mower "Truxor" operating in the Žuvintas lake

Double-wheeled tractor with bush/grass chopper for management /restoration of wet meadow and fen areas in Čepkeliai reserve.

Amphibian tractor ARGO Centaur 8x8 for peatland restoration, drainage blocking in places of extremely diffucult access due to soil wetness and sensitivity to trampling

MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

Nature management activities, for example, cutting Žuvintas lake vegetation, mowing of meadows in Čepkeliai reserve were started right after approval of management plans. In addition to management carried out by staff of the reserves, contracting of local farmers and enterpreneurs is involved for cutting of bushes, trees in the areas foreseen for meadow restoration, managing of grasslands, blocking the drainage ditches.

Capercaillie breeding farm was built in Viesvile reserve in the beginning of 2007 for cappercaillie reintroduction in the reserve and surrounding forests.

Relevant reserves were provided with hydrological and meteorological equipment for more comprehensive monitoring of the sites.