Volunteer Management Activity of the Bog Willow (Salix myrtilloides) Habitat

The bog willow (Salix myrtilloides) is a critically endangered species listed in the Lithuanian Red Book. In the Labanoras Regional Park, only one population of this species remains — in the Snieginis Telmological Reserve. Around 50 individual shrubs of this rare willow grow in a peat bog nestled between two small lakes. Occasionally, the bog dries up and begins to be overgrown by birch trees.

This year, the Januliškis forestry cut down all the birches growing in the bog, but the felled trees were left lying in place. Therefore, a volunteer clean-up activities are needed to remove forest management waste. It must be collected and piled up in the nearby forest.

Necessary supplies
Participants should bring tall rubber boots and work gloves.

Program
10:00 – Arrival at the Labanoras Regional Park. Introduction to the key landmarks of the surroundings — the Chapel of Saints Simon and Jude Thaddeus, the former manor, and natural heritage objects – the Januliškis larches, the alder tree “Gumbulis,” the pyramidal spruce of Peršokšna.
11:00 – Arrival at the volunteer work site in the Snieginis Telmological Reserve. Introduction to the protected bog willow.
11:15 – Start of the clean-up activity.
13:30 – Lunch break.
15:00 – Visit to one of the park’s most abundant habitats of the pasqueflower (Pulsatilla patens). Volunteers will help to survey the area (approx. 5 hectares) and count the blooming individuals.
16:00 – End of the event.

Registration is mandatory. Please contact by email agne.vaisyte@aparkai.lt in advance.