Rambynas Regional Park
Rambynas Regional Park is one of the Regional Parks in Lithuania, situated at Pagėgiai municipality (Tauragė County) on the right Nemunas river bend in Lithuanian Republic near the border of Kaliningrad Oblast. The park was founded in 1992 with its area of 4,786 ha. About Rambynas Regional Park. The Rambynas Regional Park territory for its natural and cultural heritage has been divided into eight protection and conservation zones (83.6% of the total park area) which are: Other areas include: recreation areas (3.2%), defense areas (7.2%), business areas (6, 0% of the total park area) and a park  territory tangled in a relatively dense network of roads with about 5.4 km of roads in an area of 100 acres. Among the eight park reserves the biggest protected park attractions are - the Nemunas valley landscape, Wetland meadows and their typical flora communities, Rambynas hill and its woods, Bitėnai and Bardėnai villages with preserved natural and cultural attractions, The ridge crest of Vilkyškiai, Regional forests characterized by a variety of woods, The environment of Šereitlaukis estate, The old town of Vilkyškiai and unique white stork colonies nesting in the pine trees. In the park area, there are eight villages: , , , , , Vilkyškiai  and part of , with a population of 1340 inhabitants, 247 hectares of water ponds (5.1% of the park area). 13 kilometers from the Nemunas and Jūra river confluence to the Rambynas park boundary is the largest river in Lithuania, the Nemunas, and the Lithuanian state border with Russia's Kaliningrad enclave. The Nemunas valley is washed with 33 old river lakes, the largest - the (44.8 ha) and (13.8 ha). Protected Areas Management - ""Phase I" and "Phase II"". State Service for Protected Areas under the Ministry of the Environment, together with a number of Authorities for protected areas in Lithuania will  implement the EU Structural Funds for the project “Protected Areas Management" The project objectives are: “Phase I” completion of the following activities: Organisation and adaption of 4 heritage sites for visitors: “Phase II” implementation and outgoing works of the following activities: Publications. In collaboration of Rambynas Regional Park direction and “Sandūra” Society in Pagėgiai implemented newspaper and magazine - almanac “Rambynas” publishing project. The newspaper “Rambynas” issued 2 times a year. This 8 -page publication is dedicated to Rambynas Regional Park residents and introduces park visitors to the park values also how Rambynas Regional Park Authority operates in a variety of  topical issues related to the park. Magazine –almanac "Rambynas” released once a year. This is a richly illustrated 86 - page publication, a prominent Lithuanian historians and scientists examine Rambynas and Pagėgiai surrounding areas, as well as culture, history, environmental issues and to provide a wide popular readership of Lithuania Minor. The journal provides a summary in English language. Press, Television, Radio Support Fund ( PTRSF) partially supports and funds project “Rambynas - Lithuania Minor ethnographic identity preservation" - already several years presented on magazine “Rambynas”. Places to Visit. The park contains several reserves established to protect both the nature (pine stands and oak  stands) and ethnographic values in the ( and villages). Rambynas hill also belongs to the park territory. In nearby Vilkiškiai town, a number of old buildings representing the typical architecture of the area still exist. Landscape. The Nemunas river curve is surrounded by forests, the overgrown ridge crest of Vilkyškiai, covered with a variety of heights and shapes, continental dunes, the valley wetland flooded meadows, ancient lakes decorated with inlays that mark the beginning of the Nemunas delta. The landscape was formed by the last ice age, where the ice cap boundary was at the Rambynas. Nature. The hyssop (lat. Gratiola  officinalis ) hedge is commonly found around the lake Merguva area. The hedge plant is used widely in pharmacy. Natures Monument - "" - grows in Vilkyškiai forest. This is a 17 trunk spruce tree, nearby "Oak Alley", which is an object of Natural Heritage, can be found. In the centre of Bitėnai village a colony of white storks are located which in the summer time nest in the pine trees. The park area encounters 8 species of bats, of which, 5 are included in the Red Data Book of Lithuania (Book of highly endangered or near extinct animals and plants). In the woods  of Šereiklaukis lives Fat Dormouse. In the Rambynas Regional Park 4 Wetland meadows and 8 forest habitats of European importance can also be found. Where Nemunas down the ridge of Vilkyškiai bends, nature and history have created a set of values with the shrine of the Skalvians tribe, Lithuanian national rebirth and a symbol of the book smuggling era - Rambynas hill, overlooking the majestic views of the Ragainė, Tilžė and the beginning of the Nemunas Delta. Cultural Heritage. Tribal life and battles with the crusaders are commemorated by the series of mounds built by Skalvians (Opstainiai, Vilkyškiai, Šereiklaukis) and the  ancient villages, temples and Balts shrine - Rambynas. In later centuries this land and its manors speal of the former glory of the Vilkyskiai, Šereiklaukis and Pempynė estates. An urban reserve exists in Vilkyškiai with a school, rectory and the Evangelical Lutheran church buildings. Martynas Jankus homestead still called "Book-smugglers" Mecca can also be found there. In the forest near Rambynas is a tight graveyard called the pantheon of Lithuania Minor. This is the final resting place of Vydūnas, Martynas Jankus, , A. Žvinakis and E. Grigolaitytė. Events. After World War II, Lithuania Minor has lost many of its people so  the way of life, traditions and customs also ceased. But some festivals are still celebrated like St. John's festival and Užgavėnės (Ash Wednesday eve). Bitėnai - literature, printing and book-smuggling spot in Lithuania, so on Rambynas are celebrated “Book-smugglers” Day. In the late 19th century on Rambynas first time in Lithuania was staged “Lithuanian Song Festival” and performed first Lithuanian play.