Caches in Lithuania

A cache is usually a container of various sizes. Each cache contains a notebook, so-called logbook, a pen or pencil and small items for exchange, which are left here by the cachers. Each cache has its own unique GC code. You can also find wooden coins in the caches, so-called SWG. You are welcome to keep these as a souvenir!

Train

 Travelling by train instead of any means is a powerful way to fight climate change. The train leaves a carbon footprint of 41 g CO2 per kilometre, while planes – 150 grams of CO2 per kilometre flown. In this case, choosing a train can minimize your carbon emissions and help tackle climate change. There’s even a term „flygskam“, born in North European countries, meaning „flight shame“ – it clearly alludes to contributing to climate change. In „Game on“ we also urge you to try travelling by train. And to add some more positivity to this experience, there’s a geocache located right next to the railway station.

Picture credit: AB „Lietuvos geležinkeliai“ („LTG Link“)

A wet swamp again

Wetlands, forests and natural meadows – those are our three main natural weapons in the fight against climate change. Those territories absorb CO2 emissions instead of producing them. But there are certain conditions, of course: forests should really be forests, not cut and replanted a few months ago, natural meadows must be left untouched in order to maintain their natural variety of plants and wetlands have to be muddy and wet, not exploited for peat excavation. A real muddy swamp is what we need. Lithuanian Fund for Nature had restored the part of Aukštumala wetland to make it our ally in the fight against climate change.

Picture credits: Leono Jarašiaus nuotr.

Raging seaside

Many Lithuanians adore summer vacations at the coast of the Baltic sea. Ohhh, summer holiday… but only permanent residents of the coast know how rigorous and powerful the Baltic sea can be in autumn or winter seasons. The more extreme climate phenomena arise, the more damage is done to the beach and dunes by angry waves, powerful winds or unstoppable rains. This explains why the seaside is the first to suffer the effects of climate change. Do you know which of your personal habits can help to minimize the effect of it?

Picture credit: Deputy director of Curronian Spit national park Lina Dikšaitė

The sun is the answer

Recently, solar energy has been enjoying a wave of popularity in Lithuania – after announcing financial support for the installation of personal solar power plants,  on the first day the Ministry of the Environment received about 2 requests every minute! The sun can supply our homes with energy that is produced with less pollution and without huge emissions of CO2. The place we will take you to is unique: here the solar power plant is “cared for” by a herd of sheep.

Picture credit: Compayny „Saulės grąža“

Beef is not always bad

You’ve probably already heard that huge amounts of CO2 are emitted to produce that beef steak on your plate, haven’t you? However, beef is not always the worst choice of meal. The family of farmers Rutkauskai, who have won the “Most Environmentally Friendly Lithuanian Farmers” award this year, grow their cattle in natural pastures. These grasslands absorb CO2, which makes them useful in tackling climate change. The family also applies other environmentally friendly practices. What kind of practices? You will find this out by visiting their farm where geo-catch hunts will take you.

Picture credit: Adelė Banelienė, Lithuanian Fund for Nature

Drying lake

Lithuania is divided into four regions. One of them, called Dzūkija, doesn’t have any seaside: instead, they have the biggest Lithuanian lake in their territory, Dusia, that they proudly call „the sea of dzūkai“ (inhabitants of Dzūkija).  

Today climate change is threatening this huge lake – its coast is pulling back and the lake is drying up; so is its „neighbour “, lake Metelys. You will find a geocache somewhere between those two lakes, in the territory of Meteliai regional park, the homeland of strictly protected „iron frogs“ of Lithuania – European pond turtles. With hydrological droughts drying this region every summer, what destiny awaits these creatures?

Picture credit: Meteliai regional park

Activity in Lithuania is led by Lithuanian Fund for Nature

The Lithuanian Fund for Nature (LiFN) is one of the first environmental organizations in Lithuania, founded in 1991. The Fund specialises in the preservation of rare and endangered species, recreating their living habitats. The Fund also regularly organises campaigns and events for schoolchildren, helping them to get to know the environment they are living in and raising much-needed awareness about nature, as well as on the impacts of pollution around us.