GREEN STORIES

These plantings are part of the GREEN STORIES project (LL-00188) implemented by the administration of Aukštaitija National Park and Labanoras Regional Park under the 2021–2027 Interreg VI-A Latvia–Lithuania Cross-Border Cooperation Programme, aimed at biodiversity conservation and raising public awareness and knowledge in the field of nature protection.

The area has been landscaped to create outdoor educational spaces for learning about historical regional plants. The planted gardens reflect the plants historically grown in rural areas, manor estates, and towns in Eastern Lithuania. These three plant groups are displayed in separate gardens, highlighting the diversity of cultivated plants and their arrangement features. Information stands have been installed to provide a more detailed presentation of the different groups, introducing park visitors to plants that have traditionally been cultivated for centuries in rural, urban, and manor estate settings. The plant assortment was selected based on the historical plant inventory and lists compiled during the project.

                  .                      

Next to the historical rural and manor plant exhibits, a modern garden area has been created, where historically grown plants are integrated with species popular in contemporary landscaping. This exhibit aims to show visitors that old and new can blend harmoniously in a garden, creating a modern, profound, and unexpected visual experience.

At the edges of the area, a 10.5-are flowering meadow has been sown, demonstrating how larger areas can be landscaped sustainably and modernly, both in cities and in rural estates. This approach is environmentally friendly, allowing new communities of insects, plants, animals, and microorganisms to establish and existing ones to expand.

The garden paths are not continuous – in several places, they are interrupted by low groundcover plants, which can be walked on barefoot, encouraging visitors to explore and enjoy nature.

GARDEN: MANOR ESTATE GARDEN

Lithuanian manors, once not only economic and cultural centers but also well-tended oases, impressed with their plant diversity. Manor parks and gardens were carefully designed, reflecting European fashions of the time, the owners’ tastes, and even scientific knowledge. Both woody and herbaceous plants were cultivated, each serving a decorative or practical purpose.

Among woody plants, local trees were particularly popular: lindens, oaks, ashes, and maples. They formed the park’s structural framework, created alleys, and provided shade. Alongside them, with the Age of Discovery, exotic trees also reached the manors, such as silver firs, yews, and beeches. These imported species enriched the landscape and demonstrated the owners’ ability to import and care for rare species. Shrubs, such as lilacs, jasmines, and roses, were often planted for hedges, fragrance, or decorative accents. Evergreen junipers and pines gave life to the parks even in the coldest months.

Herbaceous perennials also played an important role in manor gardens. Flowerbeds gleamed with bright colors, featuring both local wildflowers and imported species. Peonies, lilies, roses, and chamomiles were popular. Alongside decorative plants, medicinal herbs and vegetables were important. Manor gardens grew mint, lemon balm, caraway, marigolds, and many others used for culinary or medicinal purposes.

Today, many historic manor parks have preserved their plant heritage, allowing us to connect with the past and imagine the grandeur of former times. This is a living heritage, recalling the golden age of Lithuanian manor culture.

GARDEN: RURAL GARDEN

Lithuanian rural gardens and homesteads have long been centers of not only agricultural activity but also living culture, traditions, and beauty. Over the centuries, the plants cultivated here, both woody and herbaceous, reflect the close connection between people and nature, practical needs, and aesthetic sensibilities.

Among woody plants, lilacs were an inseparable part of Lithuanian homesteads. They delighted the eye and nose with abundant fragrant blooms in spring and often marked the main entrance or the edges of the homestead. Roses and related ancient rose varieties also flourished in the most representative spots, symbolizing beauty and strength. In some regions, homesteads without lindens or birches, which provided shade and coziness, were unimaginable.

Herbaceous perennials made up most of rural gardens, combining beauty and utility. The green rue was perhaps the most important garden plant, surrounded by folk songs and traditions, symbolizing innocence and youth. Although it appeared in Lithuania later than many believe, it became an inseparable part of the Lithuanian garden.

Other popular herbaceous plants included peonies, valued for their luxurious blooms. Medicinal asparagus was a main pre-war garden feature; dogwoods were grown for their pleasant scent, nasturtiums for bright flowers and easy maintenance, sneezeweeds, phloxes, and chamomiles.

Many plants, such as marigolds, mints, medicinal asparagus, and wormwood, had not only decorative but also practical medicinal or culinary value. They were used in teas, remedies, or as spices. Rural gardens were not large, but they reflected the care and creativity of their keepers, and the plant diversity demonstrated long-cultivated traditions.

These historic plants are an integral part of Lithuania’s cultural heritage, reflecting the lifestyle and values of past generations.

GARDEN: URBAN GARDEN

Modern urban gardens increasingly draw inspiration from the past, and the historic plants of rural and manor gardens offer new opportunities to create unique and sustainable spaces where native and well-behaved exotic plants are combined in inventive compositions. While contemporary perennial collections are highly diverse, traditional plants, both woody and herbaceous, can complement and enrich the urban landscape.

Imagine lilacs, jasmines, snowballs, or peonies that once grew in old manors or rural homesteads. These woody plants are not only durable and long-lived but also bring authenticity and historical value to green spaces. In city parks or squares, they can create fragrant, cozy, and peaceful oases reminiscent of old Lithuanian homesteads. Combined with modern ornamental grasses, such as miscanthus or sedges, they produce contrasting textures and interesting combinations.

Similarly, rural garden marigolds, chamomiles, or mints can become excellent elements in urban flowerbeds. These herbaceous perennials attract pollinators and increase urban biodiversity while providing pleasant aromas and a sensory experience. They can be paired with modern plants, such as catmints, echinaceas, sages, or ornamental alliums, creating dynamic and long-blooming flowerbeds. Most of these plants are low-maintenance and adapt well to city conditions, reducing the need for care.

By integrating historic plants into contemporary urban gardens, we restore the lost connection with the past while creating sustainable, aesthetic, and ecological spaces that will delight future generations. Have you thought about which historic plants you would like to see in your city?

GARDEN: MEADOW

Sown flowering meadows are not only aesthetically appealing but also ecologically beneficial landscape elements, increasingly popular in both urban green spaces and rural homesteads. This approach involves sowing mixtures of carefully selected flowering wild plants, often native species, to create a natural-looking, vibrant meadow that delights the eye and benefits the environment.

One of the main advantages of sown flowering meadows is their ability to attract and support biodiversity. The abundance of flowers draws various pollinators—bees, butterflies, and other insects—which are vital for the ecosystem. Additionally, these meadows provide shelter for small animals and birds.

In urban green spaces, sown flowering meadows are an excellent alternative to traditional lawns. They require less maintenance—less frequent mowing, watering, or fertilizing—reducing water consumption and chemical use. They also help mitigate urban heat island effects by absorbing sunlight and cooling the surroundings. In cities, they can be used in parks, squares, roadside areas, and other public spaces, adding naturalness and color.

In rural homesteads, sown flowering meadows blend beautifully into the landscape, creating a romantic and idyllic atmosphere. They can be sown around houses, along garden paths, or as part of larger flowerbed compositions. They not only decorate the surroundings but also contribute to restoring natural ecosystems, bringing elements of wild nature into the cultivated environment. Additionally, such meadows emphasize the uniqueness of the homestead and a love of nature.

Sown flowering meadows are a versatile and sustainable solution, suitable for both modern cities and traditional homesteads. They delight the eye and play an important ecological role, contributing to a healthier and more vibrant environment.

The goal of the project: to highlight the importance of vegetation to humanity through innovative solutions based on educational content and natural science simulations.
Project objectives to achieve the goal:
- to promote active interest among students in environmental protection processes;
- to form habits of personal responsibility towards living nature;
- to popularize natural sciences, especially various branches of biology;
- to ensure that students link their future careers with natural sciences.
Relevance of the project:
The plant simulation research laboratory established in the Aukštaitija National Park will invite students to learn natural sciences through experience outside of school. By meeting scientists, getting acquainted with future professions, and solving real-life tasks, students will develop a personal relationship with nature and the world around us. In the plant research laboratory, through innovative educational programs prepared together with natural and exact science teachers, students will practically apply the acquired knowledge:
- will learn about vegetation from the past - delving deeper into the knowledge of rare species in evolutionary biology,
conservation;
- will explore the present - combining knowledge from interdisciplinary natural sciences;
- will test the possibilities of future sciences - by getting acquainted with the science of astrobiology;
Project partners:
VU scientists - biologists, astrobiologists;
Teachers (biology, chemistry, physics, IT);
Robotics specialists;
Brief project description:
A glass plant research laboratory is being established in Aukštaitija National Park, where experimental simulations of remote plant planting and observation on the lunar surface, excursions, education, meetings, conferences and seminars will be held.
Plant growth simulation stages according to the development process:
- Presentation of knowledge relevant to the simulation and in accordance with the content of educational programs (biology, chemistry, physics), introduction to the topic;
- Mission to the moon using video game simulation (physics, mathematics, astronomy), a challenge for teams;
- Planting a plant in artificial regolith with the help of a robot (biology, IT/robotics), experimental process;
- Long-term remote monitoring of the plant and monitoring/recording of changes, formation of responsibilities and consistent practices;
- Presentation of analysis of processed plant observation data, development of critical thinking;
- Transferring the plant to the class that participated in the experiment, creating long-term/sustainable relationships;

The administration of Aukštaitija National Park and Labanoras Regional Park is launching the “Green Stories” project (LL-00188), aimed at biodiversity conservation and strengthening public awareness and knowledge in the field of nature protection. Using advanced methods and creating an engaging environment, the project seeks to influence the attitudes of residents in relevant regions and countries toward nature, improve practical skills in environmental protection, which will lead to more sustainable actions in nature, and potentially increase the attractiveness of natural sciences as a professional choice. The administration has long been working purposefully toward these goals in its daily activities, so the project’s activities will directly complement and enhance the tools and measures already in use.

Key Project Information

The project has received funding under the 2021–2027 Interreg VI-A Latvia–Lithuania Cross-Border Cooperation Programme.

Project duration: March 1, 2024 – August 31, 2026

Project partners: Aukštaitija National Park and Labanoras Regional Park Administration (lead partner), Daugavpils University (project partner)

Total project budget: €754,759.16

More about the project: https://latlit.eu/theprojects/green-stories/

The project covers a wide range of activities, which will be actively shared throughout its implementation and involve public participation. The main project components include:

1. Inventory studies of existing natural resources, rare plant species, and historically cultivated cultural plants in Aukštaitija National Park, Labanoras Regional Park, and Silene Nature Park, aiming to assess the current status of rare and historical plants in the project areas. The collected data will supplement existing national databases, and a new freely accessible historical plant database will be created. Based on the research data, educational and informational materials will be developed for public education and scientific purposes: historical and rare plant catalogs in Lithuanian and Latvian, new educational packages, and outdoor exhibitions of historical and rare plants in Lithuania and Latvia.

2. New interdisciplinary educational programs for students and the general public, designed to raise awareness and knowledge in environmental protection and biodiversity, highlight the challenges facing endangered plant species, improve the condition of rare plant habitats, and present the latest scientific achievements. The content of these activities will be based on relevant school curricula, natural sciences (biology, astrobiology, etc.), and the contexts of Aukštaitija National Park, Labanoras Regional Park, and Silene Nature Park. The developed educational materials will provide the public with science-based and relevant knowledge on the importance of biodiversity conservation, emerging threats, and encourage participation in preserving botanical resources.

3. Creation of new environmentally and climatically friendly infrastructure:

• A unique, freely accessible Moon Laboratory has been established in Palūšė for public education and scientific purposes, to study biodiversity and future sciences. The laboratory will be used for various scientific experiments, plant cultivation in simulated lunar conditions, and research on the minimum growth requirements of plants, for the preservation and study of rare plant species and local habitats.
• A unique regional historical plant collection has been formed in Palūšė, establishing a historical plant exhibition garden to increase the relevance of historical plants, revive, preserve, and popularize endangered historical cultural species. The historical plant exhibition will promote the conservation and care of old species and create favorable conditions for the development of insect, plant, animal, and microorganism ecosystems.
• A demonstration outdoor exhibition has been established at the Daugavpils University “Ilgas” Study and Research Center, featuring protected plant species native to Latvia. The site will also serve as a seed bank for protected plant species and for public education purposes.
• The educational trail network at Daugavpils University “Ilgas” Study and Research Center has been upgraded with artificial habitats for protected plants, insects, and other organisms, and a modern outdoor classroom has been installed. The new infrastructure will be used for outdoor biodiversity education for the public, students, and schoolchildren while minimizing the impact on sensitive natural habitats.

The educational spaces and content developed through the project have no regional equivalents. The conditions created, research conducted, and collaboration with the academic community (Daugavpils University, Vilnius University, Vilnius TECH, Vytautas Magnus University as idea development and implementation partners), along with the pooling of shared resources, will expand the range of activities that project partners can implement, enabling innovative, science-based, and interdisciplinary solutions for the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity. It is expected that project activities will make a significant contribution to positively impacting biodiversity conservation.