Baltic Environmental Forum Lithuania

Baltic Environmental Forum Lithuania

Founded:

2003

Biogeographical regions covered:

Boreal, Continental

Collaboration with farmers:

200 per year

Main activities:

• Nature conservation & biodiversity/species protection
• Contributing to a more nature-inclusive farming system
• Foster exchange between farmers, conservationists, political stakeholders and landscape managers

Collaboration:

• with European countries: Latvia, Estonia, Belarus, Albania, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Great Britain

The Baltic Environmental Forum Lithuania (BEF) is a nationally and internationally active non-governmental and non-profit organisation that carries out environmental activities. Today, the main areas of activity are biodiversity protection, agri-environment, rural development, nature tourism and sustainable development.

The organisation is assembled of experienced experts and young professionals and its credo - "nature shall be protected not from people but with people" - illustrates a strong emphasis on communities´ involvement in conservation work as well as the importance of addressing social and economic aspects as precondition for ensuring favourable conservation status of protected species and habitats. BEF LT has extensive experience in working on biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes. It is involved in practical conservation projects as well as scientific and political think-tanks focused on improving rural development and biodiversity conservation policies with regards to better performance in achieving biodiversity conservation goals.

BEF LT works with a variety of organisations, which share their values and beliefs that people can live in harmony with nature. Since 2006 BEF LT is a member of VivaSol, an association that promotes the survival and development of small farms, craftsmen, and other rural residents. Since 2010 BEF LT is a member of the International Aquatic Warbler Conservation Team, which takes care of the survival of the rarest European songbird. In 2017 they joined the European Forum on Nature Conservation and Pastoralism (EFNCP) to promote nature-friendly extensive farming and the Rewildening Europe network to make Europe more wild and natural.

Since 2018 BEF LT is involved in a 10-year LIFE Integrated project “Optimizing the management of Natura 2000 network in Lithuania” (LIFE IP PAF-NATURALIT), where it is one of the project partners acting in the field of agri-environmental measures,incl. testing a result-based scheme, and promotion of grazing activities to manage open habitats. This work involves constant cooperation with various stakeholders, including farmers.