There are 5 types of habitats, 5 species of European importance, and 12 plant species of National importance in the proposed Natura 2000 site in Ilgsilis. He area of it is 109 ha. Due to overgrow by bushes, negative activities of beavers and bad behavior of visitors these natural values are endangered. The local community due to various social and economic reasons, as well as lack of information, do not participate in designation and management of areas of Natura 2000 network. Nature protection is understood solely as a prerogative of respective institutions. There is a great need to change such situation.

The goal of this project is to ensure favorable conditions for the habitats of European importance in the Proposed Ilgasilis Natura 2000 Site by involving local people in these activities and thus securing sustainability of the natural areas? management in the future.

Local people will be actively involved in such voluntary nature management actions, like mowing of grasslands,

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cutting of shrubs, etc. Sartai Regional Park will secure continuation of these activities on regular basis in the future. Project has a strong element of environmental education and raising of awareness of local communities: meetings and workshops for the local communities will be organized, leaflet will be published, information stands will be prepared. The project activities will be widely covered by media as well. A special children education programme on application of the practical environment management measures will be created. It is planned that this course will be active in local school for 5 years, and about 40 children will pass it each year.

Planned environmental impact of the project: favorable environmental conditions for at least 4 plant species of European importance, 12 plant species of national importance, and 2 habitats of European importance will be created in the area of 15 ha

Partners and donors of the project are Zarasai Forestry Enterprise, administration of Sartai Regional Park, Phare 2003 project ?Development of nature management plans in protected areas of Lithuania EUROPEAID/113516/D/SV/LT?, Phare 2002 project ?Institutional Strengthening and Modernization of State Protected Areas Service Administrations? EUROPEAID/114746/D/SV/LT, and Project of Finnish Ministry of Environment ?Developing the Informational System of the Lithuanian Protected Areas and Natura 2000 Network?.

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