Nemunas River Delta Regional Park, Lithuania
| country: | Lithuania |
| location: | Nemunas River Delta Regional Park |
introduction to Nemunas River Delta Regional Park, Lithuania
Why should you visit?
Lithuania's natural wonder known as the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park was established in 1992. The region was formed when massive glaciers melted to conclude the Ice Age. What the glaciers carved out and left behind were a series of flooded meadows, rivers, lakes, bogs and the Curonian Lagoon. This pristine region has seen its share of recent controversy. After World War I, the northern part of the Nemunas River Delta became part of Lithuania, but in 1939 the Nazis annexed the area and included it in their empire. After World War II, the region was divided under Soviet rule before finally settling in the hands of the current owner, the Republic of Lithuania.
What can you do here?
In this vast region, covering nearly 2,000-square kilometers, water activities reign supreme. Guided canoe tours through the Curonian Lagoon are very popular amongst visitors. For anglers, the lagoon is the ultimate paradise. Many gather in the area in the summer seasons, but also in the winter, when the lagoon freezes over and ice-fishing takes precedent. For history explorers, Rusne is the place to see. It is one of the oldest settlements in the delta and is marked by a church tower from 1419. Outside the delta in the surrounding towns, there are many old-fashioned homesteads that offer places to stay. There, tourists can visit many crafts shops and get a tasting of the fine local cuisine. The Route of Lighthouses is another choice tourist destination. The 14-kilomter tour through the Atmata River and Curonian Lagoon is a great way to see the many old lighthouses known to the region.
What makes the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park Special?
The park's history and unaltered landscapes really make the region standout. Many civilizations have battled for control over the Nemunas and there is an assortment of museums to visit that document these efforts. The Nemunas is also home to 55 rare species of birds that use the wetlands for their breeding grounds. Over 40 types of mammals also live in the park, making it one of the few thriving ecosystems unharmed by man. With such unmatched beauty and plentiful wildlife, the rationale as to why countries have battled over the Nemunas is obvious.
What makes it sustainable?
Environmental conservation is a major foresight amongst the local municipalities. In 2004, the entire territory in the regional park was included in the "Natura 2000" network of the European Union. The wetland complex is shared by Lithuania and the Kaliningrad Region of the Russian Federation. As of now, only the Lithuanian part of the delta is protected nationally. Efforts are under way to include the entire region. Recently, an establishment of cross-border cooperation to protect the region's rare species was a step in the right direction.
What to look for in:
Spring: Flooding wetlands from melting snow Summer: Canoes cutting through blue waters Fall: Visitors flocking to see the Bird Watching Rally Winter: The Curonian Lagoon filled with fortuitous ice-fishers
Highlights of the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park:
Sip wine made from organic berries Breath the fresh, lakeside air Have a family picnic beside a river
The borough of Plateliai is valued not only for the richness of its natural park, but also for its ancient farmsteads and Samogitian folk architecture.
Lithuania's natural wonder known as the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park was established in 1992. The region was formed when massive glaciers melted to conclude the Ice Age. What the glaciers carved out and left behind were a series of flooded meadows, rivers, lakes, bogs and the Curonian Lagoon. This pristine region has seen its share of recent controversy. After World War I, the northern part of the Nemunas River Delta became part of Lithuania, but in 1939 the Nazis annexed the area and included it in their empire. After World War II, the region was divided under Soviet rule before finally settling in the hands of the current owner, the Republic of Lithuania.
What can you do here? In this vast region, covering nearly 2,000-square kilometers, water activities reign supreme. Guided canoe tours through the Curonian Lagoon are very popular amongst visitors. For anglers, the lagoon is the ultimate paradise. Many gather in the area in the summer seasons, but also in the winter, when the lagoon freezes over and ice-fishing takes precedent. For history explorers, Rusne is the place to see. It is one of the oldest settlements in the delta and is marked by a church tower from 1419. Outside the delta in the surrounding towns, there are many old-fashioned homesteads that offer places to stay. There, tourists can visit many crafts shops and get a tasting of the fine local cuisine. The Route of Lighthouses is another choice tourist destination. The 14-kilomter tour through the Atmata River and Curonian Lagoon is a great way to see the many old lighthouses known to the region.
What makes the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park Special?
The park's history and unaltered landscapes really make the region standout. Many civilizations have battled for control over the Nemunas and there is an assortment of museums to visit that document these efforts. The Nemunas is also home to 55 rare species of birds that use the wetlands for their breeding grounds. Over 40 types of mammals also live in the park, making it one of the few thriving ecosystems unharmed by man. With such unmatched beauty and plentiful wildlife, the rationale as to why countries have battled over the Nemunas is obvious.
What makes it sustainable?
Environmental conservation is a major foresight amongst the local municipalities. In 2004, the entire territory in the regional park was included in the "Natura 2000" network of the European Union. The wetland complex is shared by Lithuania and the Kaliningrad Region of the Russian Federation. As of now, only the Lithuanian part of the delta is protected nationally. Efforts are under way to include the entire region. Recently, an establishment of cross-border cooperation to protect the region's rare species was a step in the right direction.
What to look for in:
Highlights of the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park: other EDEN destinations in Lithuania
Plateliai (2008)The borough of Plateliai is valued not only for the richness of its natural park, but also for its ancient farmsteads and Samogitian folk architecture.
how this holiday makes a difference
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Have you ever sat at your desk during a busy work day and felt your mind drift off to another place? That special spot on Monday was a beach some-where in the Mediterranean. A few days later your mind ventured to a castle on top of a hillside. The experience was so vivid that you could almost smell the fresh mountain air.
Each day the clock ticks and you yearn for a holiday free of the hustle and bustle of city life. You want a destination that is known for its local charm, its beautiful landscapes and fascinating history. A place where the locals respect their land and will do anything to protect it from harm. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, in Europe, the possibilities are endless. The European Commission launched the European Destinations of Excel-lence (EDEN) a few years back with the aim of selecting special places "off the beaten path" that value economic, environmental and social sustainabil-ity. The 52 places chosen so far all represent Europe in a fitting manner. Europe is a continent of great history and lands. The continent's mystique draws tourists from around the world in search of adventure, paradise and culture. While there are many wonderful destinations in Europe, the truth is, many of them have lost their allure due to expansive tourism and a lack of regard for the environment. No longer can a region's name alone be enough to draw visitors to their majestic mountains or pristine beaches. There must be more and the European Commission has devoted numerous resources to instill the mind-set of sustainable tourism in its regions. Sustainable tourism is a practice that must run deep in the values of the local people. Whenever new accommodation is built and man-made changes are made to the landscape, eco-friendly and environmental measures must be followed. A constant respect for nature is needed to ensure that today's crea-tures and eco-systems are still around in the distant future. Sustainable tourism also plays a major role in a region's local economy. The growth of an area leads to more jobs and helps raise the quality of living in a region. The local people also take advantage of visitors eating at their restaurants, shopping at their markets and staying at their hotels. It is essential that proper investment in tourism growth has the people's best interests in mind.  The next time you go on a memorable holiday to the countryside and enjoy a bottle of the Earth's precious wine, take notice of the land and its people. These 52 selected EDEN "hidden gems" all have done their part in making their region a wonderful and memorable place to visit. Now it's up to you to decide which adventure you want to seek! |
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