Bio-diversity

The Pilnu namu bendruomene is an organization, providing rehabilitation services for the drug addicts. Its center is situated in Dzukija national park. The organization was looking for the environment friendly economical activities that would also involve its visitors into the labor therapy. Ecological growing of medical herbs and species was chosen as one of the options. The situation was even more favorable, as the center was situated in the former area of the old monastery with a garden. Therefore some rare old traditional species of herbs might be found there. The main goal of the project is to establish nursery for the medical herbs and species, to protect genetic pool of the agro-biodiversity, and to promote ideas of the environment friendly farming among local communities. The grantees plan to install solar vegetables and herbs drying facility, which also might serve for the demonstration and promotion of the renewable energy use. The project will also assist for the solution of the social exclusion problems as visitors of the center and local people will be encouraged to participate in the activities of the project together. During the project the nursery for the medical herbs and species will be established, the necessary equipment will be purchased; solar herb s drying facility will be installed, as well as the certificate of the ecological farm will be obtained. A substantial number of consultations with various specialists on various subjects (ecological farming, botany, growing of medical herbs, use of solar energy) are planned. Project also involves many educational and information dissemination activities: an information track will be established; a leaflet and special publication on growing of the medical herbs will be published. There will be two seminars, visit to other ecological farms, 4 three-day-length educative summer camps organized for local people. It is expected that about 300 people will visit the place for the excursions. The grantees already obliged to provide at least 50 free-of-charge consultations to various stakeholders. The grantee fully cofinances project itself.

Lithuania