Biržai District Municipality is transforming recreational spaces into safe havens for wildlife—and it all starts with a simple idea: give nature a home.
Take a walk through the park near the castle, and you’ll notice a subtle but powerful sign of change: 21 custom-made nesting boxes have been installed high in the trees and in sheltered corners. These boxes aren’t just decorative—they’re purpose-built homes for various bird species and even bats. From owls and goldeneyes to swifts and little owls, each box has been carefully placed to support species that are struggling to survive in urban environments. It’s a small intervention with a big impact—offering a lifeline to endangered and protected wildlife while helping to maintain ecological balance within the city.
But the project doesn’t stop at the treetops—it reaches into the water as well. On the calm surfaces of Lake Širvėna and the castle moat, five floating nesting platforms have been anchored—three in the moat and two in the lake. These sturdy wooden islands are already attracting ducks and grebes, which find them ideal for nesting and resting. The surrounding water acts as a natural barrier against predators, providing a safe and peaceful breeding environment where birdlife can thrive—adding another dimension to the town’s natural charm.
Coastal reptiles and amphibians haven’t been forgotten either. Beautiful ceramic houses, castles, and shelters were created especially for them by students of the Vladas Jakubėnas Art School in Biržai, under the guidance of expert ceramics teacher Gražina Visockienė. These works are currently on display at Biržai Castle, but in autumn, they will be placed around the castle grounds and moat area, offering safe hiding and hibernation spots for reptiles.
More about other engaging initiatives—especially those involving children and youth from Biržai and Aizkraukle—as part of the #SafeAndDiverse project to raise environmental awareness will be covered in a separate article.
This initiative is part of the 2021–2027 Interreg VI-A Latvia–Lithuania Cross-Border Cooperation Programme, Project No. LL-00045: “Protection of Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure by Development of Sustainable Management of Areas Used for Recreation in Biržai and Aizkraukle” / Safe and Diverse. The project is implemented by the Biržai District Municipality Administration in partnership with Aizkraukle Municipality (Latvia).
Project Goal: To strengthen cooperation between Biržai and Aizkraukle in sustainably managing recreational areas, protecting biodiversity, and preserving coastal ecosystems.
