Restoring the Guodžiai Peatland for a New Beginning

Sep 24

2 min read

We are delighted to be implementing the international Guodžiai Peatland (Biržai District, Lithuania) restoration project, "Guodžiai Peatland Restoration and Protection", together with the Michael Succow Foundation, a partner of the Greifswald Mire Centre (Germany).

Together, we will work to restore around 100 hectares of an abandoned peat extraction site, helping to mitigate climate change, enhance biodiversity, and re-establish healthy hydrological functions. Beyond ecological restoration, this initiative represents a long-term commitment to nurturing a sustainable and thriving cultural landscape and creating new opportunities for local communities. We are proud to be the first non-governmental organization in Lithuania to acquire a destroied peatland for the purpose of restoring it and giving it back to nature.

Why Are Peatlands So Important?

Healthy peatlands are among the most valuable natural carbon sinks on Earth. Waterlogged and low in oxygen, they slow down the decomposition of plant material, enabling large amounts of carbon to be stored in peat over thousands of years. When peatlands are drained or degraded, however, the peat starts to break down, releasing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, thereby contributing to climate change.

Peatlands also provide critical habitats for many rare plant and animal species. They store and purify water, help regulate natural hydrological cycles, and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events, including droughts and intense rainfall.

A Key Restoration Phase Begins

Over the coming months, we will be engaged in intensive planning activities, which we are embarking on with great enthusiasm. We are delighted to be working within a strong partnership and united by a shared goal: restoring the natural functions of the Guodžiai Peatland. Following the planning phase, hydrological restoration works will begin, laying the foundation for the long-term recovery of the ecosystem.

Collaboration with local communities and other stakeholders will be an important part of the project. Our aim is not only to restore a degraded area, but also to raise public awareness of the importance of peatlands for climate, biodiversity, and human well-being. We believe that, together, we can strengthen support for nature restoration and help create conditions in which peatlands can once again thrive as vibrant and resilient ecosystems.

Stay tuned for updates as we share the project's progress and achievements.

We sincerely thank Florian REHM, a member of the MAST family, for funding the project via Mast-Stiftungen, and our partner Michael Succow Stiftung for their trust and cooperation.