📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The emaitija National Park is a protected territory, founded in 1991 to preserve landscape complexes of national importance and cultural heritage that represent peculiarities of emaitija s nature and culture in the ethno cultural context, ensure balanced use and recovery of natural resources, provide conditions for educational tourism, scientific research and environmental monitoring.The Park s goals are: to conserve the main system of lakes and forests in emaitija, the existing cultural heritage and restore the damaged parts; to carry out scientific research, data collection and regular monitoring of the Park s environment and ethnic and cultural heritage; to cherish the cultural traditions of emaitija; to disseminate ideas and knowledge of environmental protection; to encourage traditional forms of farming; to promote appropriate recreation activities, and primarily cognitive tourism.In 2013, the emaitija National Park became a member of the European Sustainable Tourism Charter Network.
💼 What the programme involves
Repairing equipment for the nature school; Swampland maintenance; manual removal of woody vegetation; Maintenance of sites of natural and cultural heritage; collecting garbage in recreational areas; Repairing recreational equipment (Paplatel279;s sculpture path). The first task for homework before arrival: Familiarize yourself with emaitija national park (http://www.zemaitijosnp.lt/en); prepare a short presentation about your voluntary experience and experience with nature; during the first meeting we will ask you to present your expectations, abilities, traditions and culture of your country.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Volunteers will live in Plokstin279;s ecological education center. This is one of the former military compound buildings, renovated 20 ago and suitable for living only in summer. The accommodation area still looks like a Soviet military base and all of the facilities are quite old. Volunteers will live in shared rooms (4-5 persons per room, about 20 square meters); they will have beds with mattresses. The building has showers, washing basins, toilets. Food will be prepared by volunteers themselves (cooking done in another building, products will be provided). Cooker, kettle, fridge, microwave will be provided. The nearest shop is 12 km away, so volunteers will be periodically taken by car to do the shopping.
📍 About the location
Volunteers will manage their free-time independently. Those who prefer relaxing in nature emaitija national park has a lot to offer: clean lakes, cognitive paths, camping sites, park visitors center and exposition. It is possible to rent boats and canoes, visit lake islands, rent bicycles, climb bird watching towers and many other activities including the cold war museum (former Soviet nuclear missile site)
⚠️ Requirements
WHAT TO BRING:Sleeping bag, long-sleeved clothes, hats, light raincoats, working/hiking boots for various weather conditions, mosquito repellent, swimming clothes, and something to make the group life more interesting and fun (cultural games, recipes, dances, music etc.).