High central heating cost was a heavy burden for the community small town Simnas neighboring the Zuvintas Biosphere Reserve (RAMSAR site) and Kiaulycia wetland. Local entrepreneurs were looking of the possibility to use local renewable sources of energy instead of the fuel oil. The preliminary laboratory tests indicated that sedge and reeds rowing in neighboring wetlans are cheep and high calorific capacity fuel.
Traditionally edges the wetlands used to be manually moved and grazed. Intensive farming secured stabile grassland ecosystems and removal of the organic substances and creating favorable conditions for currently Globally endangered birds? species like Aquatic warbler, Great snipe. However sedge and reed hey is not valuable feed for animals, and use of agricultural machinery is not possible in such wet area. Due to such economical reasons wetland management activities decreased and were stopped in early nineties. This resulted into rapid succession and overgrowing of wetlands? meadows ecosystems (among them ? habitats protected by EU habitats Directive: Alkaline fens, Transitional mires, also Mollinia and alluvial meadows).
This way an idea to meet local needs for the cheep sources of renevable energy for the central heeting in combination with the biodiversity preservation needs had arraised. The usage of reeds for the central collective heating of the town is the most innovate method that is the first time applied in Lithuania.
According the nature management plan of the Reserve, the area of biological importance (up to 190 ha) will be mowed. Sedge and reed will be cut and used as a fuel in local power plant in Simnas. Reactivation of the extensive land use and managing of protected area will secure favourable conservation status for the protected habitats
To achieve all these tasks the special tractor with mowers and other equipment will be purchased. The main project partner ? Simno Komunalininkas (municipality owned enterprise) will implement the mowing and heating activities. Such alternative heating source will create possibility to lower the heating price for Simnas inhabitants, so the project will raise living standards of local community. Alytus region municipality provides a substitute for the energy efficiency reinvestment fund, and this will enable to invest 60 000 LT of additional funds for application of energy saving measures at the building of socially vulnerable group in Simnas.
Information about the project, sustainable farming, local business development, and possibilities to get support from agro-environmental schemes will be disseminated during 12 workshops for the local community and farmers, and media publications. A special summer camp for children from Simnas and local villages? schools will be organized. Experience obtained during the implementation process will be shared to specialists of nature protection and energy providers in order to lobby the practice of using the reeds as cheap biofuel for heating purposes as well as for lakes/wetlands habitat?s protection.