This summer, the “Green Stories” project brought together young people from Lithuania and Latvia in two international environmental camps held in Aukštaitija National Park and Daugavpils. Throughout the camps, participants explored nature, deepened their knowledge of biodiversity and its protection, developed creative skills, and strengthened cross-border cooperation.
International Summer Camp in Aukštaitija National Park
From 25 to 29 June, 2025 the Nature School of Aukštaitija National Park hosted a camp where each day was dedicated to a different theme. Participants from Lithuania and Latvia experienced adventures while paddling across Lakes Lūšiai and Asalnai, took part in a “plant species rally”, designed dream homesteads with green surroundings, and visited a historical plants garden created as part of the project.
The youngsters learned to recognize bird calls, observed bats, explored aquatic insects, visited the heart of Aukštaitija National Park – Palūšė village, and discovered the traditions of beekeeping at the Museum of Ancient Beekeeping in Stripeikiai. In creative workshops, camp participants worked on their personal “green stories”, and in the final presentations, they shared the creative ideas on topics such as environmental protection, ocean pollution, sustainable energy, and responsible choices.
The camp became not only a lesson in exploring nature but also an experience of teamwork, creativity, and friendship.
International Summer School in Daugavpils
From 4 to 8August, 2025 young people from Utena region and Daugavpils took part in the international summer school in Latvia. Here they engaged in environmental research, conducted various field measurements, and analyzed biodiversity.
During the excursions, participants explored ravine forests and their characteristic flora in the Pilskalnes Siguldiņa nature reserve, while at Lake Lielais Stropu they carried out water analyses. Together with researchers from Daugavpils University, children studied the wetlands of the Purva taka trail, learning to distinguish between protected and invasive plant species.
At night, during an expedition to Daugavpils Fortress, the participants explored historical mollusk findings and studied bat species.
The summer school not only provided valuable practical knowledge of biodiversity but also helped young people improve their communication, teamwork, and research skills in an international setting.
Young people’s contribution to “Green stories”
Both camps demonstrated that young people are not only curious explorers of nature but also creative ambassadors of environmental protection. Their ideas, insights, and enthusiasm show that the future of our planet is in good hands.
The project “Green Stories. Society education and raising public awareness on the importance of flora to humanity” (No. LL-00188) is implemented under the 2021–2027 Interreg VI-A Latvia–Lithuania Cross-Border Cooperation Programme.
