Kamanos Nature Reserve in Lithuania celebrates its thirtieth anniversary

| 2009.10.26

Kamanos Nature Reserve in Lithuania has been celebrating its thirtieth anniversary on October 23, 2009. Photo-album exhibition “Sledge” by J. Augustausko and S. Sprainaitīte, and opening of an educational trail has been taking place in the new visitors’ centre (Akmene district) of the nature park.

The State Reserve, which now occupies nearly four thousand hectares, was created in Akmenė district in order to preserve the largest and most valuable mire complex of Northern Lithuania (Kamanos mire) and its forests, as well as the place-specific rare plants, fungi and animals. The mire occupies almost half of the reserve area (43.8%). The mire is different because of the unique relief, bogs and lakes, which now are more than before. The mire is surrounded by mineral mountain ridge, and only two of its highest spots are small islands. However, there are also up to 12 bogs and more than 120 small lakes.

There are also many rare bird species – golden plovers, wood sandpipers, Montagu's harriers, black storks, eagles, grouses, cranes, and others.

Kamanos mire was first “discovered” in 1895 and its uniqueness was assessed by prof. P. Matulionis. During the interwar period he was followed by lecturers of the Lithuanian Academy of Farmers. Thanks to their studies during the period from 1935 to 1936, the mire has become as one of the most thoroughly studied reserves in Europe. Now Kamanos land will be included in the EU’s “Natura 2000” network of protected natural sites.