- Kaunas Reservoir Regional Park
Kaunas Reservoir Regional Park was established in 1992 with the purpose to protect the unique lower landscape of
Kaunas Reservoir , its natural ecosystem, and cultural heritage. It covers the total of 101.73 km² (water - 51.45 km², forests - 38.78 km²) and is one of the 30 regional parks inLithuania .The man-made Kaunas Reservoir altered the local landscape and now one can see newly formed exposures, altered mouths of tributaries to the
Neman River (what local people now callfiord s). The shallower edges of the reservoir are becoming swampy and attract almost all known species of water birds in Lithuania. Old pine forests at Rumšiškės and Dabinta are rich in plant animal diversity. Here lives one of the biggest population ofedible dormouse s.Besides the reservoir itself, there are other features made by man. They include Arlaviškis botanical reserve famous for its
juniper valley, Girionys Park, a landscape park established on the bank of Kaunas Reservoir, in the eastern edge ofKaunas . It is the biggest park by area and the richest by its number of tree species in Lithuania. The total area of the park together with the village Girionys is 130 ha. Trees in the park have been planted to commemorate the considerable events and famous foresters as well. Since 1963 a tradition among Kaunas Forestry college graduates has been established: every year students plant the oak in this grove. The eastern part of the park leans to Raguoliai pine stand. This forest (81 ha) and protective plantings of Kaunas Reservoir slopes (39 ha) are managed as forest park, so today the total area of the park reaches 250 ha.Cultural heritage objects include
Pažaislis monastery , a 17th centurybaroque architecture masterpiece which hosts an annual music festival, open air museum inRumšiškės covering 175 ha,Salomėja Nėris museum inPalemonas which hosts annual Poetry Spring. There are also more than 20 historical and archeological monuments. Pakalniškiai, Vieškūnai, Lašiniai, Samylai, Dovainoniaihillfort s and Dovainoniai/Kapitoniškiai, Maisiejūnai/Surgantiškiaitumulus ses are located in the park.References
* [http://survigloters.supermedia.pl/Litwaparki/parkai/a_3_1.htm Kauno marios regional park] . Accessed July 9, 2006.
* [http://www.info.lt/index.php?page=parkai&view=parkas&parkas=kauno Kauno marių regioninis parkas] , Info.lt. Accessed July 9, 2006.
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