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Kurtuvėnai regional park

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Data

Year of establishment

1992 year

Area

17499 he.

Regional park group


Ph. No.
Email
https://zemaitijosstd.lrv.lt/

Objectives of the establishment

The Kurtuvėnai Regional Park protects the landscape of the Kurtuvėnai forested, lake-like hills. It was established to preserve:

  • The landscape, natural complexes and objects, cultural heritage objects and sites, valuable (typical and unique) ecosystems, recreational resources located along the Venta and Dubysa rivers, to be managed and rationally used, to create conditions for the sustainable development of the territory;
  • to preserve biodiversity and the stability of ecosystems, to provide conditions for applied research and observation of the landscape, biodiversity, nature and cultural values, to collect information on the protection of the landscape, biodiversity, nature and cultural values, and other areas;
  • to foster educational, museum and cultural activities promoting the unique value of the regional park, to promote the ethnographic traditions and customs of the Žemaitija ethnographic region (construction, crafts, intangible heritage);
  • to facilitate the development of sightseeing tourism, promote organic farming, and develop environmental and nature education;
  • restoring destroyed and damaged natural complexes and sites, cultural heritage sites and areas. 

Exclusive value

It is a regional park with a very diverse landscape. It features lake and forested hills, river valleys, continental dunes, marshes and vast cultural heritage sites. The Kurtuvėnai Regional Park is home to one of the largest Svilė springs in Lithuania. The cultural heritage of the regional park is distinctive: the Girnikai Sanctuary Hill, a part of the old Samogitian heritage, the revived Kurtuvėnai Manor with a wooden barn and a horse stable, the Dubysa-Venta overflow, a hydrotechnical monument, and the old fishing ponds.

Landscape

Kurtuvėnai Regional Park is situated on the edge of Samogitia hilly land, on the eastern siding of the watershed of the Venta and Dubysa rivers characterised by the important role of the glacio-fluvial accumulations and performing especially important functions in the Samogitia region. The landscape of the regional park is characterised by complex morphological structure, the sites of natural and cultural heritage as well as recreational and educational tourist potential.

The diversity of the Kurtuvėnai Regional Park has been determined by the following major landscape types: forested and cultivated steep-sloped flushed alluvial valley, forested sandy glacio-fluvial fills, little cultivated sandy hills, forested glacio-fluvial embankments (eskers), large forested kames and sandy kame terraces, forested steep-sloped ravines and erosional slopes, forested and little cultivated Swertia perennis Fig. 37. Kurtuvėnai Regional Park 196 little lakes, forested swampy lake-rich waterholes, forested clayey limno-glacial plains, cultivated and little cultivated morainic hills, cultivated and little urbanized sandy elevations, little cultivated and cultivated pond complexes as well as forested and little forested small river valleys.

Biological diversity

These are the territories of European Community importance (code, title) found in the park: 9010 Western taiga 7140 Transition mires and quaking bogs; 7110 Active raised bogs; 7160 Fennoscandian mineral-rich springs and springfens; 6210 Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates; 3160 Natural dystrophic lakes and ponds; 3150 Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition – type vegetation; 6450 Northern boreal alluvial meadows; 7230 Alkaline fens; 7210 Calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus and species of the Caricion davallianae; 9080 Fennoscandian deciduous swamp woods; 91D0 Bog woodland; 9050 Fennoscandian herb-rich forests with Picea abies, and 6510 Lowland hay meadows.

The total number of plant species is 978 of which 3 are protected by the European Community, and 42 are included in Lithuania’s Red Data Book. The total number of animal species is 1,475. Mammals – 49, of these 4 are protected by the European Community, and 11 are included into the Lithuania’s Red Data Book. Birds – 163, of these 30 are protected by the European Community, and 32 are included into the Lithuania’s Red Data Book. Fishes – 15, of these 1 is included into the Lithuania’s Red Data Book. Amphibians and reptiles – 14, of these 1 are protected by the European Community, and 2 are included into the Lithuania’s Red Data Book. Invertebrates – 1,234, of these 5 are protected by the European Community, and 21 are included into the Lithuania’s Red Data Book.
 

Strict nature reserves, reserves

The Kurtuvėnai Regional Park has the Karalmiškis Sengirė Nature Reserve, 19 reserves (8 landscape, 4 geomorphological, 1 hydrographical, 1 botanical, 3 botanical-zoological, 1 telmological, 2 genetic) to preserve the values of natural and cultural heritage.

The objectives of the Karalmiskis Sengirė Nature Reserve are to preserve the mature coniferous forest ecosystem with the habitats of the European Community importance 9010 *Western taiga, 9080 *Golden deciduous forests, 91D0 *Swamp forests, and to enable the formation of a viable old-growth forests (*Priority habitat types of European Community importance).

The objectives of landscape reserves: Girnikai - to preserve the high overhanging moraine mass cut off by the Venta-Dubysa valley with Girnikai Mountain, the Bunokiškės forest ecosystem and the habitats of protected plant species, especially the slender birch (Betula humilis), the Pociškės pine tree, and the graves of soldiers of the First World War; Ilga - to preserve the aeolian landforms, the unique flat-bottomed, boggy, lake-like Ilgažeris bowl - the source of the Ilga River, the boggy lake of Juodlje, the Gabriejole bowl, the Gabriejole mound, the ecosystem of the forest of Juodlje, the habitats of European Community importance and the species of protected plants and animals; Pageluvis - to preserve the picturesque stretch of the Pageluvis marginal moraine formations and the glacial basin of the lake with the remnant and thermokarst lakes Širva, Kurtuva, Dubukas, Barsukynas, Geluva, Šermukšnynas, Raudinukas, with the source of Raudinukas stream, the mounds of Pageluvis I and II, the oasis of Barsukynas, and the ecosystem of the forest Pageluvis; Rauda - to preserve the clone of the Rauda stream formed by glacial meltwaters, the most prominent part of the Sodeliuki moraine ridge, the prominent clone of the Dirvoni canyon type, and the erosional hill of the Paraudžiai, and the ecosystem of the Paraudžiai forest; Raudsparnė - - to preserve the Raudsparnė moraine massif with its high, forested plateaus, the natural Dūkša Lake; Svilė - to preserve the geomorphologically and hydrographically valuable, coarsely hilly, jagged landscape of the moraine massif with the unique hydrogeological natural monument - the Svilė springs and the aeolian landforms; Vainagiai - to preserve the forests of Vainagiai, Laisvučiai, Karalmiškis, Šona, the lakes of Vainagiai, Lestoniškės, Ešerinis, the marshes of Vainagiai, Šoniukė, Galvydiškė, Smirdėla, and the natural wetlands of Šona, Šonele, Šventjonis and Smirdė, Vainagiai morainic massif, one of the highest, low-fluvioglacially reshaped Vainagiai morainic massifs with a pronounced maple of complex configuration, and the mounds of Vainagiai and Galvydiškės; Venta-Dubysa Old Valley - to preserve the unique natural and man-made Venta-Dubysa Old Valley with its cultural heritage value - the complex of waterway channels between the Venta and Kražante rivers.

Objectives of geomorphological reserves: Pustlaukis - to preserve the finely hilly, gullied massif, reshaped by thermokarst processes that left distinct ravines, the Pustlaukis pit; Šilkalni - to preserve the distinctive Venta River mid-river valley with a complex of erosional hornfels, especially rare for Samogitia, the boulders of Martynas, Vėžali (Perkūnas), and Gerbeniškės; Targiai - to preserve the unique complex of oases and habitats of European Community importance; Vijurkai - to preserve the stretch of the valley of the upper Dubysa River with the most prominent erosional hill on the right bank of the Dubysa River, the landscape of the confluence of the Dubysa River and the Sventupis River, the Sventupis Canyon valley, habitats of European Community importance.

The objectives of the Dubysa Upper Dubysa Hydrographic Reserve are to preserve the valley of the Dubysa Upper Dubysa with the canal complex of the section of the waterway between the rivers Venta and Kražante (registration number 30735), the meanders of the river bed, old river valleys and islands, the Jusaičiai alcove, and habitats of European Community importance.

Botaninių zoologinių draustinių tikslai: Gudmoniškės - išsaugoti Kivylių šaltinius, Gerbeniškės mitologinius akmenis, Gudmoniškės (Pūstpelkės) pelkę, Europos Bendrijos svarbos 7140 Tarpinių pelkių ir liūnų, 7160 Nekalkingų šaltinių ir šaltiniuotų pelkių, 7230 Šarmingų žemapelkių, 9080 Pelkėtų lapuočių miškų bei saugomų augalų ir gyvūnų rūšių, ypač gelsvosios gegūnės (Dactylorhiza ochroleuca), raibosios gegūnės (Dactylorhiza cruenta), raktažolės pelenėlės (Primula farinosa), melsvojo mėlito (Sesleria caerulea), daugiamečio patvenio (Swertia perennis), paprastosios tuklės (Pinguicula vulgaris), rudakio satyriuko (Coenonympha hero), auksuotosios šaškytės (Euphydryas aurinia), buveinesPabijočių – išsaugoti vertingą Bijotės-Lygės-Kumpės tarpežerio kompleksą su būdingomis Žemaičių aukštumai biocenozėmis, Europos Bendrijos svarbos 7140 Tarpinių pelkių ir liūnų, 7230 Šarmingų žemapelkių, 9010 *Vakarų taigos, 9080 *Pelkėtų lapuočių miškų bei saugomų augalų ir gyvūnų rūšių, ypač gelsvosios gegūnės (Dactylorhiza ochroleuca), paprastosios tuklės (Pinguicula vulgaris), vienalapio gedučio (Malaxis monophyllos), dvilapio purvuolio (Liparis loeselii), pelkinės raistenės (Hydrocotyle vulgaris), pelkinės uolaskėlės (Saxifraga hirculus), šarvuotosios skėtės (Leucorrhinia pectoralis), keturdantės suktenės (Vertigo geyeri), buveines; Padubysių – išsaugoti miškų ir pelkių, šaltiniuotų miško upelių ir jų intakų pakrantes, Europos Bendrijos svarbos 9010 *Vakarų taigos, 91D0 *Pelkinių miškų, 91E0 *Aliuvinių miškų bei saugomų augalų ir gyvūnų rūšių, ypač pūkuotosios apuokės (Trichocolea tomentella), retažiedės miglės (Poa remota), siauralapės gegūnės (Dactylorhiza traunsteineri), tamsiosios šaškytės (Melitaea diamina), ulduko (Columba oenas), buveines.

The Bulėnai Telmological Reserve protects a wetland complex with biocenoses typical of the Samogitian Highlands. The objectives of the Linartai and Sodeliuki Genetic Reserves are: - to preserve the genetic diversity of the pine population in the face of a changing environment and to ensure the recovery or restoration of this population by means of its reproductive material.

Heritage objects

Kurtuvėnai Regional Park has 24 natural heritage sites, including 1 natural monument - Svilė Springs. Other most impressive natural heritage sites include Pustlaukis Pit, Barsukynas Ozas, Martynas, Bulėnų I and II, Linartai Stones, Five Bubiai Poplars, Zuikiškės Oak, Pociškės, Napoleonas Pines. The Regional Park protects 54 immovable cultural heritage sites and their complexes, of which 6 have the status of monuments.

Visited objects

For visitors

Product brand

Kurtuvenu RP

Protected areas attract visitors with their natural and cultural values. Often, when visiting a national or regional park, they want to take out a souvenir or just a good memory. In order to draw visitor‘s attention to the products and services produced by the local population, a product label for Protected areas has been created. A stylized ethnographic bird was chosen as a brand for Protected Areas.

The product label of Protected areas helps to recognize that the product is organic, authentic, produced by the local people, without harming the environment and wildlife, and favorable to human health.

The holder of the mark will primarily be the person who resides or operates in the protected area and does not violate protected values through his activities. The aim is to stimulate the local economy, facilitate the living in protected areas, and promote partnership between the local people and the management of protected area.

The list of products and services offered by protected areas can be various: honey, herbal tea, jams, accommodation, catering, guide services, traditional handicrafts, etc.

The product label of protected areas is one of the measures to promote sustainable tourism. It is intended for local producers, craftsmen, tourism service providers and other local residents, who contribute to the sustainable development of tourism in Lithuanian protected areas through their activities.

The product mark symbol (bird) of Protected areas is common to all protected areas of Lithuania, only the names of parks differ. There are 5 national and 30 regional parks in Lithuania.

So when you arrive at Dzūkija National Park, you can purchase black pottery created by local masters, and when traveling around Rambynas Regional Park, don't forget to buy honey collected by bees on the flooded meadows of Nemunas or a herbal tea collected in the forests of Sirvėta Regional Park.

The Protected Areas product label aims to encourage local people to engage in nature-friendly activities and park visitors- to purchase exclusive, authentic, ecological products.

Documents to obtain The Product Areas product label:

ST_prod_zenklo_KOMISIJOS_REGLAMENTAS_14.docx

ST_prod_zenklo_naudojimo_gaires_12.pdf

ST_prod_zenklo_NUOSTATAI_12.docx

ST_prod_zenklo_PARAISKA_12.docx

SUTARTIS_su_partneriu_pvz_12.doc

Visitor's memo

ALLOWED:

  • rest only in designated areas - rest areas, rest stops;
  • camping (pitching tents) only in established campsites;
  • build fires only in designated fireplaces.

PLEASE:

  • protect the environment, natural and cultural values, conserve natural resources, do not break trees, shrubs, destroy rare plants, destroy anthills, bird nests, frighten nesting birds, disturb animals, or change their environment;
  • report any observed cases of destruction of natural or cultural heritage values or other violations to the police, the Environmental Protection Inspectorate or the Regional Park Group;
  • handle fire safely - maintain a lit fire, do not leave fires unlit;
  • if you notice a fire, take all possible measures to eliminate it, and if this is not possible, immediately notify the fire service or the Regional Park Group;
  • keep roadsides, woods and other areas free of litter, leave the campsite tidy when you leave and, if waste sorting containers are available, sort waste according to instructions;
  • observe the requirements for driving and parking in forests and woodlands, and park vehicles in designated parking areas and on roadsides, provided that this does not impede safe traffic flow, there are no prohibitive road signs, and that it does not infringe the rights of others or cause damage to the environmen;
  • spare buildings and facilities for visitors and report to the Regional Park Group or the police if they see persons damaging them;
  • observe the rules for swimming in water bodies;
  • when berry picking, mushroom picking and fishing, observe the rules on the use of Small Forest Treasures and the rules on the protection of recreational fishing and fish;
  • not to infringe the rights and interests of other users of natural resources, not to make noise, play loud music or otherwise interfere with the recreation of other visitors or local residents, and not to endanger the safety of other persons;
  • contact the Regional Park Group with any questions.

NOT ALLOWED:

  • visit telmological, zoological (teriological, herpetological, entomological, ornithological) reserves from 1 April to 1 September, except on public roads and cultivated fields;
  • allowing loose dogs to run around or bathe on beaches or other places where people congregate;
  • burying rubbish and waste;
  • burning dry grass, reeds, fallen leaves and household waste;
  • disrupting, damaging slopes or otherwise causing erosion of the land surface;
  • the unauthorised installation of swings, other recreational or sports facilities.

Services provided by the Directorate

No Service For 1 person 1 hour For 1 day For 1 day
1.

SIGHTSEEING TOURS (EXCURSIONS) GUIDE SERVICE FOR GROUPS (1 hour) 

The service is provided when a group of 10 people is formed. The service can also be provided to 1 person or a group of up to 10 people if they agree to pay the price applicable to a group of 10 people (the price indicated for 1 person is multiplied by 10).

       
1.1. Sightseeing tours (excursions) service in Lithuanian 3 Eur      
1.2. Sightseeing tours (excursions) service in a foreign language 4 Eur      
2.

VISIT TO THE NATURE RESERVE EDUCATIONAL TRAIL WITH A GUIDE (DIRECTORATE SPECIALIST) (2 hours)

The service is provided when a group of 10 people is formed. The service can also be provided to 1 person or a group of up to 10 people if they agree to pay the price applicable to a group of 10 people (the price indicated for 1 person is multiplied by 10). The group size is limited to 25 people. 

8 Eur      
3.

ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT OF A TRIP WITH A LEADER (DIRECTORATE SPECIALIST) (1 hour)

The service is provided when a group of 10 people is formed. The service can also be provided to 1 person or a group of up to 10 people if they agree to pay the price applicable to a group of 10 people (the price indicated for 1 person is multiplied by 10).

       
3.1. Hike with a guide (directorate specialist) 2 Eur   7 Eur  
3.2. Hike with a guide (directorate specialist) and snacks Eur   Eur  
4.

ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT OF A HIKING WITH A GUIDE (DIRECTORATE SPECIALIST) AND DIRECTORATE INVENTORY (1 hour)

The service is provided when a group of 10 people is formed. The service can also be provided to 1 person or a group of up to 10 people if they agree to pay the price applicable to a group of 10 people (the price indicated for 1 person is multiplied by 10).
       
4.1. Hike with a guide (directorate specialist) 5 Eur   14 Eur  
4.2. Hike with a guide (directorate specialist) and snacks 6 Eur   15 Eur  
5. TICKET TO THE VISITORS' CENTER EXHIBITION, MUSEUM, ETHNOGRAPHIC FARMSTEAD, OTHER EXHIBITIONS OR OTHER OBJECTS         
  Self-guided tour ticket 2 Eur      
6. GUIDED TOURS AT THE VISITORS' CENTER (1 hour)
The service is provided when a group of 10 people is formed. The service can also be provided to 1 person or a group of up to 10 people if they agree to pay the price applicable to a group of 10 people (the price indicated for 1 person is multiplied by 10).
       
6.1. with a directorate specialist 4 Eur      
6.2. with a directorate specialist, in a foreign language 6 Eur      
7.

EDUCATION - CONDUCTING THEMATIC LESSONS (1 hour)

The service is provided when a group of 10 people is formed. The service can also be provided to 1 person or a group of up to 10 people if they agree to pay the price applicable to a group of 10 people (the price indicated for 1 person is multiplied by 10).
       
7.1. Educational program 3 Eur      
7.2. Educational program with directorate tools 4 Eur      
7.3. Educational program in a foreign language 6 Eur      
8.

EDUCATION - THEMATIC LESSONS CONDUCTED OUTSIDE THE VISITORS' CENTER (1 hour)

The service is provided when a group of 10 people is formed. The service can also be provided to 1 person or a group of up to 10 people if they agree to pay the price applicable to a group of 10 people (the price indicated for 1 person is multiplied by 10).

       
8.1. Organization and conduct of educational program 6 Eur      
8.2. Visit to the Lyduvėnai railway bridge (with directorate specialist). The number of participants is agreed individually in advance.  10 Eur      
9. ORGANIZATION OF SIGHTSEEING TRIP, PROVIDING TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION (for 1 person)        
9.1. Organization of sightseeing trip, providing temporary accommodation at the Zagare nature school.       20 Eur
9.2. Organization of sightseeing trip, providing temporary accommodation at the Varniai and Kurtuvėnai nature schools.        15 Eur
10. USE OF THE CAMPING SITE, RECREATION AREA (for 1 person)        
10.1. Tent       7 Eur
10.2. Camper       12 Eur
11. CONFERENCE ORGANIZATION 21 Eur
12. IMPLEMENTATION OF NATURE MANAGEMENT OR OTHER MEASURES RELATED TO THE CONSERVATION OF OPEN HABITATS, SPECIES, AND THE MAINTENANCE OF GOOD CONDITIONS IN PROTECTED AREAS BY WHEELED TRACTORS AND OTHER MACHINERY (SIGNED BY THE OWNER OR MANAGER OF THE PROTECTED AREA) MAINTENANCE OF GOOD CONDITION IN PROTECTED AREAS BY WHEELED TRACTORS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT (UPON SIGNING A PROTECTION AGREEMENT), OR MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC AREAS AND OBJECTS

 

50 Eur

   

DISCOUNTS FOR SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DIRECTORATE OF PROTECTED AREAS

No. Service

Children under 6 years of age (not participating in organized groups) – free of charge

Preschool children (participants in organized groups), schoolchildren, students, people with disabilities, senior citizens – 50% discount

1. Visiting the nature reserve's educational trail:  
1.1.      with th eguide (directorate specialist) + +
2. Organization and conduct of the hike:    
2.1. with the guide (directorate specialist) + +
2.2. with the guide (directorate specialist) and directorate inventory + +
3. Ticket to the visitors's center exhibitions, museum, ethnographic farmstead, other exhibitions, or other attractions (except for the Lyduvėnai railway bridge ticket) + +
4. Use of the campsite + -

 More information on the website of Directorate of Žemaitija protected areas