Žuvintas Biosphere Reserve

Zuvintas Biosphere Reserve (Lithuanian: Žuvinto biosferos rezervatas) is a strict nature reserve located in the southeast of Lithuania, about 30 km east of Alytus. Its nature protection status dates back to 1937, it is the oldest nature protection area in Lithuania.

“Zuvintas Visitor Center” requires tickets that cost 2 euros each (2024). However, the trails and the entire area is free of charge of everyone.

Nature
Žuvintas Biosphere Reserve is inhabited by more than 4,200 species of animals, plants, fungi and insects, 137 of which are endangered or protected species. Around 2000 species are various insects.

In 2023, the combined bird population in this nature reserve totalled nearly 40 thousand. The area covers almost 20 000 hectares of wetlands, lakes, mires, peatbogs, and pine tree stands. There are three big lakes in the area – Žuvintas, Žaltytis, and Amalvas. The area lies in an intensive farming region with productive agricultural soil. It is populated, but sparsely, accommodating around 11 thousand people. Less than 10% (about one thousand) live within the buffer zone.

Protection history
Zuvintas Biosphere Reserve consists of strict nature reserves (IUCN category I), nature reserves (IUCN category IV) and is inscribed in national law under a specific protection category.


 * In 1937, this nature reserve became the first nature protection area in Lithuania, on the initiative of zoologist Tadas Ivanauskas.
 * In 1940, Soviet Union occupied Lithuania and removed protection status for the area. During Soviet occupation of Lithuania, this was a popular bird and mammal hunting spot for Soviet nomenklatura.
 * In 1993, Zuvintas Biosphere Reserve became a Ramsar site. Ramsar identifies wetlands of international importance.
 * In 2002, national legislation made it a designated biosphere reserve, the first of its kind in Lithuania.
 * In 2004, this biosphere reserve was included in the Natura 2000.
 * Since 2004, Žuvintas Biosphere Reserve has the status of Important Bird Area (IBA) and Site of Community Importance (SAC).
 * In 2011, UNESCO added Zuvintas Biosphere Reserve to the Man and the Biosphere Programme.

In society

 * In 2013, Zuvintas Biosphere Reserve was featured on Lithuanian postal stamps.
 * In 2021, Lithuania's central bank released a commemorative euro coin dedicated to Zuvintas Biosphere Reserve.   Half a million such coins were issued.

Awards

 * In 2016, Irish RTÉ Radio 1 won Rose D'Or for The Dawn Chorus programme, featuring bird song from Zuvintas Biosphere Reserve.