1. Overview on RDP measures for maintenance and restoration of grasslands/wetlands in Lithuania
By Žymantas Morkvėnas, Baltic Environmental Forum Lithuania

2. Farm of 856 orchids

4. Average direct payment 196 eur/ha (including direct payment + greening + first hectares + young farmer support)
(M12) Natura 2000 payment:
51 eur/ha for arable land
70 eur/ha for natural and semi-natural areas
Payments for farmers in areas with natural or other specific handicaps:
Payments to farmers in areas with natural handicaps 73,6 Eur/ha - 55,2 Eur/ha
Payments to farmers in areas with specific handicaps 44 Eur/ha (in carst region) – 48,8 Eur/ha (in flooding areas)

5. RDP measures related to restoration and maintenance of natural/semi-natural grasslands/wetlands
(Lithuania )
Extensive management of grasslands by grazing animals (101 eur/ha);
Management of Specific meadows (69 eur/ha);
Extensive management of wetlands (208 eur/ha);
Specific agri-env. measures for conservation of Aquatic Warbler
Conservation of AW habitats in natural and semi-natural meadows (291 eur/ha);
Conservation of AW habitats in wetlands (160 eur/ha)
Support for non-productive investments for restoration of Aquatic Warbler habitats

7. Extensive management of grasslands by grazing animals
Eligible in natural/semi-natural meadows;
Grazing density 0,3-1 SLU/ha;
Grazing period since May 1st till October 30th;
Ungrazed patches should be managed by Oct. 30th;
Payment level 101 eur/ha

8. Payment level 69 eur/ha Management of Specific meadows
Eligible only in specifically defined areas: sites where EU grassland habitats were mapped;
Grazing density not more than 1 SLU/ha;
Grazing timing from May 1st till October 30th;
Start of mowing by July 15th
Shredding not allowed, biomass should be removed from the field by October 15th;
6450 Northern boreal alliuvial meadows
Payment level 69 eur/ha

9. Extensive management of wetlands
Grazing intensity not more than 1 SLU/ha;
Grazing timing since May 1st till October 30th;
Mowing timing since July 15;
Removal of the biomass should be done by March 1st of the next year.
Payment level 208 eur/ha

10. Agri-environmental measure dedicated to Aquatic warbler conservation
Developed by conservation project “Securing sustainable farming to ensure conservation of globally threated bird species in agrarian landscape”
Baltic Aquatic Warbler LIFE09 NAT/LT/000233
Support for non-productive investments for restoration of AW habitats;
M10 Payments for agri-environmental and climate-related commitments
Conservation of AW habitats in natural and semi-natural meadows;
Conservation of AW habitats in wetlands

11. 4.4.1. Conservation of Aquatic warbler breeding habitats
M04, Sub-measure 4.4: support for non-productive investments linked to the achievement of agri-environment climate objectives
Conservation of Aquatic warbler breeding habitats
Compensation of one-time investment into habitat restoration efforts of areas important for Aquatic warbler;
Eligible actions: removal of bushes, reeds, redundant biomass (mowing);
Process: 1) application with certified cost calculation; 3) 3 months evaluation period; 4) implementation to be done until spring next year (app. 6 months timing);
Maximum eligible payment for 1 application: eur, average (app eur/ha);
After restoration – applicants must follow up habitat maintenance by participating in agri-environmental measures dedicated for Aquatic warbler conservation;

12. Payment: 291 eur/ha (+ others possible: direct, Natura 2000, LFA)
Measure : Landscape stewardship scheme
Activity: Conservation of Aquatic warbler habitats in natural and semi-natural meadows
AW singing male counts performed first decade of June. Plots observed with singing males extracted for late mowing.
Based on extracted plots, farmers have to follow specific requirements:
For plots where AW singing males observed - mowing after August 15;
For plots where AW singing males NOT observed – half of area mowing in July;
For all area – mowing shall be completed by October 1st. Baled or stacked biomass may be left for winter, but should be removed from the field until March 1st next year;
Extensive grazing (1 SLU/ha) allowed until October 15.
Payment: 291 eur/ha (+ others possible:
direct, Natura 2000, LFA)

13. Payment: 160 eur/ha (+ others possible: direct, Natura 2000, LFA)
Measure : Landscape stewardship scheme
Activity: Conservation of Aquatic warbler habitats in wetlands
Full mowing of the area shall be done within 2 years (50% each year);
Start of mowing allowed from August 1st;
Mowing shall be finished until October 1st, stacked or baled biomass can be removed from field by March 1st next year;
Maximum grazing density allowed 1 SLU/ha;
Payment: 160 eur/ha (+ others possible:
direct, Natura 2000, LFA)

14. Other national funding opportunities:
Environmental fund under Ministry of Environment