Birzai regional park was established in 1992 with the aim to preserve the Lithuanian karst region, its ecosystem and cultural heritage; to use them in a rational way. BRP is unique in the country with its numerous sinkholes (over 9000). The biggest and the most famous one is the so-called „Karves ola“ („Cow‘s Cave“). It is about 20 meters deep.

Reserves in the park have been established to protect geological phenomena, the valleys of the Tatula and other rivers, and the flora and fauna characteristic of this region in northern Lithuania. Lake Sirvena with its picturesque shores represents the confluence of the Apascia and Agluona rivers, a lake with a water surface of 350 hectares appeared. A castle built by the noble Radvila family still stands on its shore. The restored palace of the castle now houses a museum and a library.

VALUES

Cultural reserve of Birzai castle protects the castle and it surroundings. Birzai urban reserve – protects the cultural layer of Birzai old town and natural surroundings.

Sirvena landscape reserve protects the ensemble of Sirvena lake, first and biggest pond in Lithuania, landscape and architecture of Astravas estate.

Pabire landscape architectural reserve protects landscape of Pabirze architectural ensemble and Daudzgiriai, Pabirze (Balandiskiai ) estate-farmsteads together with Likenai park.

Tatula landscape reserve protects landscape of Tatula river, Smardone river, Likenai spring, Azuolpamuse mound and former farmsteads of noble estates.

Kirkilai landscape reserve protects unique landscape of Kirkilai surroundings and Jonava (Silinis) lake.

Karajimiskis landscape reserve protects Karajimiskis landscape, the valley of the river Pozemis and the farmsteads of former noble estates.

Totally in this regional park there are 17 reserves and 1 cultural reserve.

A.  Project environment: profile of the organisation and local community

Outline the project environment for the suggested voluntary activities, including the local community where the project will take place (e.g. geographical, social and economical environment).

If the host placement is located in a live-in community, please include the rules and conditions that apply also for the volunteer.

The Directorate of Birzai Regional Park is responsible for the park landscape’s complexes’ and sites’ protection, organizes their maintenance, promotes cognitive tourism, rational use of natural resources. Within the scope of its authority the directorate controls activities of physical and juridical bodies to make sure they comply with the rules of conduct in the park. Alongside with environmental protection the directorate of the park runs research and monitoring programmes. Cognitive excursions are organized in Latvian, Russian, English around in the sinkhole region. The directorate controls the use of natural resources and environmental protection in the park’s territory.

7 members of the staff work in the park: ecologist, landscape architect, accountant, biologist, information specialist, director and housekeeper.

The region of Biržai lies in the far north of Lithuania, approximately 20 kilometers from the Lithuanian - Latvian border. Two hundred and fifteen kilometers north of Vilnius and roughly 100 kilometers south of Riga, Biržai is conveniently located just 20 kilometers off the main highway linking the two nations' capitals.

According to the census in 2001 there were 35,4 thousand residents in Birzai district,  18,8 thousand of them (53 %) live in rural areas and 16,6 thousand – in town. 53 % of all residents are female. 20,3  thousand (57 %) of residents are employable, 54 % of them in rural areas. 9 thousand residents are retiree.

Nationality

98 % of all residents are Lithuanian, 1% - Russians, less than 1 % belongs to other nationalities (Latvian, Polish, Byelorussian, <<Ukraine>> and Romanian).

Religion

74 % of all residents are Roman Catholics, more than 8 % - evangelic Reformats, about 1 % - evangelic Lutherans and orthodox. About 16 % of all residents did not attribute themselves with any religion.

There are two secondary, one primary school, one gymnasium and four kindergartens in Birzai. Many extracurricular activities and clubs are operational. Especially active the club “Silinis” gathering members of different age. The club studys bird species, catalogues them, collects information about injured anumals, takes care of them.

www.birzai.lt

B.  Proposed activities for EVS volunteers

The Directorate of Birzai Regional Park runs number of activities in the park’s territory. These are mainly maintenance, research, monitoring.

Not all activities are available to EVS volunteers having in mind the non-formal and non-professional profile of the service. Assistance would be the main role of EVS volunteers in the organization, although some fields of sole responsibility could be found as well. All depends on the individual volunteer and his/her willingness to be active and creative.

EVS volunteers will have an opportunity to involve in several of the activities mentioned above and create their own personal daily schedule.

Volunteers could also contribute with their time and effort to the biggest ecological milk farm in Lithuania. V.Stankevicienes farm is situated 7 km from Birzai. This part of park’s territory is famous for its unique boulder field. The owners of the farm are working towards preserving the territory. National and international youth projects take place there every summer.

By working in Birzai regional park volunteers will learn a lot from the uniqueness of the Birzai region: landscape specificities, the fragility of the sinkhole area, the tuning of the town of Birzai with the park. Volunteers will also learn to be part of a local team. This provides grounds for sharing and learning. Volunteer will bring new, fresh ideas into the organization, which in turn will have more opportunities to learn new working methods. There will be plenty of space for volunteer initiatives to further facilitate the learning process.

On the other hand volunteers will be challenged to integrate in the local community of Birzai town, which is said to be peculiar and different from the rest of the country. The volunteer will be able to test on himself/herself the tempo of life in one of the smaller towns of the country.

C.  Volunteer profiles and recruitment process

Please describe the profiles of volunteers you would like to receive in your organisation. Include information on how you ensure an open and transparent recruitment process as well as the overall accessibility of EVS to all young people. Consider further information about the type of sending organisation you want to cooperate with. This information can help the match-making between volunteer candidates, sending organisations and your organisation.

Birzai regional park is open for all young volunteers who are motivated to work, are flexible, comunicable, able to adapt to various situations, can work under stress. The volunteer should like nature and nature protection. Environmental concern, skills of English or Russian would be an advantage.

All applications will be considered and evaluated based on how well they suit the general profile of an EVS volunteer and the requirements of the host placement in particular.

Birzai regional park is open to work with every organization having the status to send EVS.

D.  Special needs  (if applicable)

If your placements are open to hosting volunteers with fewer opportunities, please provide information about the competence, experience and infrastructure and (human or other) resources available in your organisation to accommodate and support them.

E.  Risk prevention, safety and protection

Please describe how you will guarantee a safe living and working environment for the EVS volunteers, how you will prevent risks and crises and how – in the case of EVS volunteers aged 16 or 17 – you ensure appropriate supervision, child safety and protection.