Dzukija

/Translation from Lithuanian/
GREEN LESSONS

WHY DO WE LEARN?
People always learn. When seeking to understand the nature, everything starts from
questions raised by surprises, events, adventures and discoveries. Answers to questions What is
it, Why it happened? require different levels of effort to answer. The answers depend on the
current experience of being in nature and knowing it. The wider the experience, the easier it is to
crack the challenges posed by nature: available knowledge and skills connect, allowing to
understand the general principles, expect and foresee. Learning in nature is a real pleasure,
leading from one surprise to another. As we gain experience, we realize that we are becoming
readers of the natures life book, making personal and long-lasting relationships with birds,
plants, landscapes and cultural values.
Can you be in nature and respect it without knowing it? Such communication is one-sided
as if siting in the last desk at the end of the classroom. At some point, students of the Nature
School become teachers guides to those who are only taking their first steps towards
understanding.
A lesson at Kamanos Strict Nature Reserve
Getting to know the meadow
Geologic treasures
In the nature with a book why not?

Sharing of discoveries and natures values with others creates a circle of like-minded people. As
one continues on the learning path, one realizes that it is impossible to encompass and
understand the whole nature (even in such a small country) there is so much entertainment,
abundance, variety and unique phenomena. Some people select the path of scientific knowledge,
which is narrower. Knowledge of nature and its protection become a profession. Other nature
lovers spend time in nature as a leisure activity.
Nature can be a better teacher than a dozen men; however, it is not a school where you
hide at the last desk in the class. Tasks and challenges at the Nature School have to be undertaken
voluntarily and one has to be constantly ready for the next challenge.
Experiences in class and in nature differ.
Experiences during a lesson
It is important to write down!
Learning requires effort.

HOW DO WE LEARN?
Learning has to be done properly. However, how do you hold a class in nature when there
is so much action, sounds and colors around? Before setting off to a trip in nature, an
experienced student (not just a teacher!) will decide on the purpose of his trip and how and by
what means he will learn. Usually, it is taken care of by the teacher; however, if you are traveling
alone, you will have to do it yourself.
All the green lessons of the publication series Teacher Nature facilitate learning at the national
protected areas. The lessons are classified by age group.
TASK FOR THE YOUNGEST ONES
Intended for 1-4th graders. Many classroom activities are included in this program. If the tasks
are interesting, they can also be done by grandparents or gymnasium students!
TASK FOR THE OLDER ONES
Intended for 5-8th graders who are agile and inquisitive. Similar topics are covered in textbooks
but learning them in nature is more interesting! If the tasks seem too difficult or uninteresting,
you many select different ones!
FAMILY TASK
A lesson for the entire family. Intended for the oldest students, families with children of different
ages. Parents can become teachers of their children to understand how serious this work is. How
to explain to your child a complex task in simple terms? It is possible.
At first only questions without answers.
Tools for a geometry lesson in a forest

All lessons indicate the place of the lesson, the required tools (some of which can be
found at home, others at the nature schools or visitor centers of protected areas). Professional
teachers will find a message telling them which knowledge areas and topics of the general
education program the lessons cover. References What you should know and What you
should read will help you prepare for the lesson.
Each green lesson consists of three different activities. The first one is an easier one,
designed to motivate, warm up and create a closer relationship with nature; meanwhile, the other
two are more difficult and examine the topic of the lesson from various approaches. Some of the
lessons have been prepared to engage children of various skill levels and hobbies: those who like
to draw or move, count, recite. Sometimes an activity consist of several shorter tasks, which
gradually reveal the main topic when completed. The authors warn: if the task is uninteresting or
too difficult proceed to the next one!
Who can attend the green lessons? Each and everyone willing to learn, experience,
understand the natural and cultural heritage values of the protected areas. Even professors are no
ashamed to become students
A lesson in nature is considered successful not only according to how much you
remember, see or how many excellent photos you bring back home. The true success if you
continue learning at home and visit the protected areas again. This time, without a teacher, a
companion, a guide. This is when nature becomes the most important Teacher!
What are activity sheets? We can memorize a lot but tend to forget. A completed
activity sheet is intended for the personal expression of the learner. If you keep the sheet, over
time you will be able to check what you have learnt, your success and your improvement. Some
of the activity sheets require you to attach a ticket to the oak forest or to note down a
conversation with the forest. Surely you like memories, do you not?
Tasks in nature
Daily activities done together create new experiences.

THE EVERGREEN PINE
Dzukija is known for its beautiful pinewoods. Pinewoods make up 90 percent of the forests
found at Dzukija National Park! Out of all the trees growing in Lithuania, pines are the least
useful. The Common Scots Pine is a resilient tree, worth having a closer look. This is best done
in Dzukian land! Besides, hollow pines can still be found in Dzukija. Beekeepers used to set up
hollows for bees. These threes were never cut and this still holds true today. Hollow pines of
Dzukija often exceed 200 years of age. Participants will have a change to see these old timers
and rest against their trunks during the green lesson.
What you should know
The lesson will take place in a forest. Our ancestors believed that forests were protected by
Goddess Medeina who watched every step of a traveler along the forest path. Try not to anger the
goddess with your behavior! Prepare in advance any tools required to perform the research and
the tasks, make sure you have copies of the activity sheets. Look up interesting information
about pine trees, read about theirs natural and practical importance, find tales, folk stories, learn
how the annual rings form.
Tools necessary
Activity I: the activity sheet, a pen or a pencil, colored pencils or felt-tip pens, magnifying
glasses, an altimeter, a measuring tape, calipers, a camera or a smartphone, offcuts of a pines
trunk, needles (will make it easier to count the rings).
Activity II: the activity sheet, a pen or a pencil, colored pencils or felt-tip pens, a camera or a
smartphone, calipers, rulers, electronic scales, pine needles, open cones, bacon, sticks.
Activity III: the activity sheet, a pen or a pencil, colored pencils or felt-tip pens, a camera or a
smartphone, bark mulch samples, scissors, shredded herbs (mint, St. Johns wort, thyme or
raspberries), a kettle, cups or glasses, a tea strainer, pine cones, needles with heads, pieces of
carton (size A5), a protractor, plasticine or a glue gun, active charcoal pills.
Break Cone chasing: a stick and a cone.
Break Cone snake: cones, a measuring ruler.
A circle of pines

Note to the teacher!
Areas of learning or activity: nature research, living nature and man.
Duration
Activity I 60 min.
Activity II 60 min.
Activity III 45 min.
Break Forest silence and forest sounds 5-10min.
Break Cone chasing around 5 min.
Break Cone snake around 10 min.
What else to do?
While traveling, notice the unique tree trunks, interlocking branches, protruding roots. Do they
remind you of anything? Develop your observation. This is a very important feature for
environmentalists! Capture your findings using a camera or a smartphone.
Before or after the green lesson, you can view the material about Dzukija National Park or use
presentations about pine trees and pinewoods.
Break Forest silence and forest sounds. Split up for five to ten minutes and sit where
comfortable. Be away from each other. Concentrate. Do not talk. Try to feel the forest silence
and hear its sounds. Describe your experience in a few sentences.
Break Cone chasing. Use a stick to draw two lines on the ground (the second one 10 m away
from the first one). The participants should stand by the first line and each roll a cone using a
stick. The winner is the one whose cone is the first to reach the second line.
Break Cone snake. Split into teams and spend 3 min. collecting cones. Place the cones next
to each other as if planting trees. Measure the length of the snake and count the cones. Who was
faster and gathered most cones? Which snake was the most interesting?
What to read?
Ar Pazisti Medzius? Jaunasis Gamtininkas: Mokausi Ir Zaidziu. Vilnius, 2009.
Misko Dovanos. Jaunasis Gamtininkas: Mokausi Ir Zaidziu. Vilnius, 2008.
Navasaitis M. Dendrologija. Vilnius, 2008.
Online sources
Pusis ir jos savybes. Accessed on 14/08/2015. Online access: http://m-d.lt/straipsniai/pusis-ir-jossavybes/.
Pusys.
Pasaka.
Accessed
on
14/08/2015.
Online
access:
http://www.vaikams.lt/pasakos/pusys.html.com/watch?v=NCweccNOaqo.
A pine

ACTIVITY I. A CONVERSATION UNDER A PINE TREE
Where will you study?
In a pinewood.
What will you learn?
By listening to the guides story, asking and answering questions, exploring and completing
tasks, you will understand that the Common Scots Pine one of the most common Lithuanian
trees is extraordinary and more interesting than you have thought.
Tasks
1. How well do you know the pine?
A tree differs from other plants in that it has a single woody stem, also called the trunk, which is
between the ground and the lower branches. Branches, twigs and leaves or needles comprise the
crown. What is the shape of a pine leave and crown? What can you tell about a pine trunk by
touching it? Pines leave is thorny. Examine the crown of a young and a mature pine tree. How
are they different? Check if the pines trunk is straight, resinous and if the bark is thick, brittle,
layered. Examine the needle and the bark through a magnifying glass.
Which organ of the pine is underground? Pine roots are special, penetrating deep into the ground.
This is why growing in Dzukija sands, it has plenty of water and is more often broken off during
storms rather than uprooted.
2. Determining pines height
Working in pairs or groups, select a pine tree. With your back facing the tree, walk away from it.
Stop and look back between your legs. Can you see the treetop? If not, continue walking and if
you see a piece of the sky, take a few steps back and look back again. Now turn around and walk
towards the tree counting your steps. If you know that the length of your step is 50 cm and you
have taken 48 steps, it is easy to calculate that the tree is 24 m high. You can also use a metric
ruler. The results will be more accurate. Compare your results with your partners results.
Use an altimeter. Measure the height of selected trees. Are the data very different? Another
device calipers will help you to measure the diameter of a pines trunk.
3. Determining a pines age
Select a small pine tree and count its whorls or their marks. Add three to the result (there were no
whorls during first year, marks of the second year are now underground and you still need to add
the last year). How old is the pine? Is it younger or older than you are?
The age of a cut off tree can be determined by counting the annual rings on the cut section of the
trees trunk.
An offcut with annual rings
Pine bark

ACTIVITY I SHEET. A CONVERSATION UNDER A PINE TREE
Task 1. How well do you know the pine?
Is the needle seen in the picture that of a pine?
Which cone is that of a pine?
Use green color to paint the aboveground organs of a pine and red color to pain the underground
organs.
In groups, discuss why growing in sand is difficult.
YES NO
TRUNK, ROOTS, NEEDLE, CONE.
Task 2. Determining pines height
Measure the height of selected trees and the girth of their trunks.
No
Pine height
Altimeter
Difference
Trunk girth at
.
measurements
1.3 m height
Trunk diameter
Caliper readings
Count how much your selected pine tree is smaller than the largest in Lithuania Kiauneliskis
Pine, growing in Labanoras Regional Park. Its height is 44 m and its girth is 2.08 m.
Task 3. Determining a pines age
Write down the names of the researchers
How old is the pine?
Calculate how many times the sum of all of your ages is greater or lesser than the pines age.
Sometimes pines live for 300-400 years. How many years from now will your pine be 150 years
old?
Count which year it will be.

ACTIVITY II. CONES FATE
On a forest site and in an arbor.
By examining cones, you will not only learn their purpose but will also complete interesting
activities, develop your mathematical and artistic skills as well as empathy; will also learn to
make a bird feeder from a pinecone.
Tasks
1. What a variety of names!
Skuja, skujukas, burkutis, gurgutis, kirkuze, kugis, spurgas, baubukas, brekis, bukas, bukutis,
burkuis, ciute, vekis, zebelys, zevelis And Dzukians say buzukas. All of these words mean the
same. The cone. How are cones called where you come from? Which cone name do you like
best? Vote and find the most beautiful cone name.
2. Cone-man
Each take a pinecone. Examine it closely. Imagine that a miracle happens and the cone in your
hands turns into a small human who has qualities of both a human and a cone. Think what
qualities these might be. Explain to each other what makes your buzukas special.
3. Cone secrets
Now lets compare your cones. Are they the same size? Pinecones are 2.5-7 cm long and 2.8-3.5
cm wide. Check. Use calipers or a ruler to measure your cone and share your data. Then weigh
the cones using the scales.
How quickly do you think pinecones mature? Pine seeds, which lie under seminal scales, mature
within 17-18 months in fall, whereas the seeds are dispersed the next spring. Examine a pine
seed. Why do you think a seed needs a wing? Take a seed and throw it down? What did you
notice? Put a seed on your hand and blow at it. Are seeds good flyers? Would they still grow up
if they had no wings?
Large cones that weigh more than 6 g when dry mature 35-45 seeds on average. Small cones that
weigh up to 4 g mature 10-15 seeds. On average, a single cone has 20 seeds. How many did you
find?
Think why pines are classified as conifers, also known as gymnosperms.
4. Cone-feeder
Use a stick or a fork to stick pieces of unsalted bacon in between the scales of an open cone.
Attach a thread to the central seminal scale. If you put up such a feeder on a branch in winter, tits
would be very happy.
The making of a feeder

ACTIVITY II SHEET. CONES FATE
Task 1. What a variety of names! Which cone name do you hear for the first time?
Which ones have you heard before?
Skuja,
skujukas,
burkutis, The most beautiful name selected by the participants
gurgutis, kirkuze, kugis, spurgas,
baubelis, baubukas, brekis, bukas,
bukutis, burkutis, buzukas, ciute,
vekis, zebelys, zevelis
Task 2. Cone-man
Draw a cone-man gifted with your
selected qualities.
Introduce the drawings to each
other.
Task 3. Cone secrets
Measure the length, width and weight of a pinecone. Enter the data in the table below. Look for
seeds among seminal scales and count them. Then calculate the averages. In the section My
comments mark down which cone is largest, smallest, heaviest, lightest.
No.
Length (cm)
Width (cm)
Weight (g)
No. of seeds
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Average*
* Calculate the averages by using calculators on your smartphones.
My comments

ACTIVITY III. PINE AND MAN
At visitor center and its yard.
By completing practical tasks, tasting, touching, making tools, you will understand the benefits
provided by pines to man; develop the attitude that man should live in harmony with nature.
Tasks
1. A tea of pine needles
Pine needles are rich in vitamin C. You should try pine needle tea!
Wash the needles and cut them with scissors. Split the needles (you need two tablespoons) in two
heaps. Pour one of the heaps with boiling water and cover. Mix the second heap with your
favorite dried and chopped medicinal herbs, such as mint, St. Johns wort, thyme, raspberries.
Add a liter of boiling water to the mix and cover it for 20 min. Then strain off, smell it and taste
it first in small sips, then larger.
2. What a device!
Air humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. Make a humidity meter and observe the
changes in air humidity. You can make the measurer as follows:
Stick a needle with a head in the middle of a cone scale (not at the top and not at the bottom).
Fold a piece of carton in half. One of its parts should be in a horizontal, the other in a vertical
position. Draw a scale on the vertical part by using a protractor. In the middle of the horizontal
part, attach a cone using plasticine or glue.
At the bottom of the scale write dry, at the top damp or illustrate this by a drawing (a sun
at the top and a rainy cloud at the bottom).
Take the humidity meter home with you. It is the pines gift for you! Place the humidity meter
outside in a waterproof place (arbor). Observe which way the needle goes when it the weather is
damp. How does its position change when the air is dry? Think about why such movements are
necessary for a cone.
3. Pine treasures
You already know that wood and resin is produced from pines. Pine needles excrete phytoncides
(plant poison), which destroy microorganisms. Sanatoriums are built in pinewoods. However, did
you know that even medicine, such as activated charcoal, is produced from pines wood? Bark
mulch is used to mulch plants. Who has a pine lath basket at home? In groups, discuss and
prepare a 2-3 minute presentation on the topic Pinewood gifts.
Logs
Tapped pine

ACTIVITY III SHEET. PINE AND MAN
Task 1. A tea of pine needles
Come up with tea names. Score them (1 tasteless, 5 finger-licking good).
Tea No. 1. Name
Score
Tea No. 2. Name
Score
What tools and materials do you need to make a tea?
What are the tea-making steps?
1)
2)
3)
4)
Why do you recommend this tea?
Task 2. What a device!
Make a humidity meter from a pinecone and observe weather changes.
Where this device should be placed? OUTSIDE; INSIDE; OUTSIDE BUT NOT IN THE RAIN
What does a rising needle indicate? SUNSHINE; RAIN
Task 3. Pine treasures
Use arrows to indicate what is made from pines.
Vitamins, feed additives
Treatments (medicine, baths)
Furniture
Fuel (firewood)
Baskets
WOOD
NEEDLES
RESIN
CONES
BUDS
Tar, turpentine
Homes, arbors, railroad ties
Ether oils for perfume
Paper, cellulose
Various works, toys

WHERE? IN A BEARS BEHIND!
On your way to the location of the green lesson, unusually named Meskos Sikna (Bears Behind),
admire the scenic surroundings of Marcinkoniai. Remember that you are going to a swamp so be
ready for a serious trip!
Make sure you have the necessary tools, conduct a briefing on traffic safety (if you plan to arrive
at the lesson on bikes) and behaving in nature, recall the main concepts of swamp ecology, the
causes of swamp and peat formation, the key swamp plants and their characteristics.
Necessary tools
Activity I: a bicycle, the activity sheet, pens, pencils or felt-tip pens, a hard-cover file, plant
guides, a drawing notepad, glue and a sticky tape.
Activity II: a bicycle, the activity sheet, pens, a hard-cover file, a microscope, a magnifying
glass, a pH measurer, indicator slips, sample containers, binoculars or a monocle, plant guides, a
drill for taking peat samples.
Activity III: a bicycle, the activity sheet, pens, a hard-cover file, a microscope, tools for
determining a trees age, a drill for taking a peat sample, sample containers, a magnifying glass.
Break Without hands: a book, a cocktail straw, a plastic bag.
Break What is missing?: cards, a string or a safety pin for attaching the cards, a pen, a sheet.
Break Watch out a quagmire!: cards of two colors, 60 cm x 60 cm in size.
Duration
Activity I around 2 hours
Activity II around 2 hours
Activity III around 2 hours
Break Watch out a quagmire! around 10 min.
Break What is missing? around 15 min.
Areas of learning or activity: nature research, organism structure and functions; life continuity
and variety.

Tip
Adjust the activities and tasks to the participants age group and their preparation level. Tasks do
not need to be completed in order.
In task 3 Is it difficult to live in a swamp? of activity II A swamp from up close, you can
give the participants cards Forest animals and let them choose animals that are able to live in a
swamp.
In task 2 Mummies of activity III Time stops in a swamp, before setting out to look for
insect mummies, use plastic insect figures to revise insect body structure.
When observing swamp birds, use bird guides and posters.
What else to do?
After completing the tasks of activity I Swamp landscape, take a break. During break Why a
bear and why its behind? ask each participant or team to create a brief story of the origin of this
hilarious name. Read out everyones story. Select the most original story on how the swamp got
its name Bears Behind.
Hold a photo contest The face of the swamp.
Make a siphon from worms and prove that worms absorb water through their entire surface
(http://www.kamanos.lt/26387/informacija-lankytojams/pazintine-veikla/gamtos-pamokos.html).
Discuss the benefits of peat moss and peat. Why do swamps need to be protected?
On the geographical map of Lithuania find and mark the largest Lithuanian swamps.
What to read?
Didelyte G., Grigaite O. Raiste. Vilnius, 2005.
Sinkevicius S. Pelkiu Ekosistemos Dabarties Biosferoje: Mokomoji Knyga. Vilnius, 2001.
Tupciauskaite J. Botanikos Mokomoji Lauko Praktika. Vilnius, 2012. Pp. 78-101.
Online sources
Eureka.
Interactive.
Accessed
on
11/08/2015.
Online
access:
http://briedis.lt/out/media/280_Eureka_6_kl.pdf.
Pelkes. Interactive. Accessed on 11/08/2015. Online access: http://cepkeliai.cepkeliaidzukija.lt/index,lt,19185.html.
Pelkes mitologijoje ir etnografijoje. Accessed on 11/08/2015. Online access:
http://sargeliai.org/uploads/Publikacijos/Proceeding129_Seskauskaite.pdf.
Pesciuju, dviraciu takai ir vandens trasos. Interactive. Accessed on 11/08/2015. Online access:
http://gamta.cepkeliai-dzukija.lt/18871/-informacija-parko-lankytojams/pesciuju-dviraciu-takaiir-vandens-trasos.html.

ACTIVITY I. SWAMP LANDSCAPE
At the fifth stop Bears Behind of Zackagiris Sightseeing Trail.
By completing the tasks, you will understand the concept of a swamp, learn several swamp
synonyms, get to know what type of swamp you are visiting and, by drawing the face of a
swamp, mark the key swamp plants.
Tasks
At the sign Bears Behind, discuss the rules for visiting and behaving at the national park,
complete the tasks.
1. What is a swamp?
Bring the participants together in a circle and ask them how they know that they are in a swamp.
What does it smell like? What is its color? Ask them to stroke the swamp surface or walk around
barefoot. How does it feel? Encourage the participants to describe the swamp by several
adjectives, comparisons or metaphors. Summarize your thoughts. Learn synonyms for swamp:
quagmire, puddle, marsh, fen, bog.
2. What types of swamps are there?
Explain the participants that swamps of various sizes can be found among Dzukija sands. Some
of them have formed as a result of bogged lakes, others have developed above waterlogged areas
often in valleys in between dunes where water surplus caused swamp plants to begin growing
thousands of years ago. Ask the participants to read brief descriptions, look around to identify the
growing plants and the type of swamp. Use plant guides. Summarize the answers. How many
participants correctly identified the swamp type?
Memo to the guide
Quagmire a spongy swamp caused by underlying water.
Puddle a pool, a boggy place.
Marsh a bog overgrown with bushes or trees.
Fen a soft bog with small trees and hard grass.
Bog a swamp where nothing grows
Memo to the guide
Among the sands near Marcinkoniai Village there is a raised bog, called Meskos Sikna (Bears
Behind). It cover an area of about 17 ha. Apart from Peat Moss, there are other common plants
growing in the bog: Marsh Labrador Tea, Hare's-tail Cottongrass, Bog Bilberry, Bog Cranberry,
Bog Rosemary, Round-Leaved Sundew, Scots Pine.
3. The face of the swamp
Ask the participants to observe a selected swamp section, draw it and note down the observed
plants. With the guides permission, you can paste parts of swamps plants: leaves, twigs,
blossoms. Compare swamp and forest plant communities.

ACTIVITY I SHEET. SWAMP LANDSCAPE
Task 1. What is a swamp?
How does the swamp smell?
Which colors are prevalent?
My feelings
I think that the swamp is
What other names is the swamp known by?
Task 2. What types of swamps are there?
Look around! What plants do you see growing? Read brief descriptions of swamps and identify
the type of swamp you are visiting.
Low-lying bog its surface is usually even or concave. They are supplied by ground water,
surrounding surface waters or river water, which are quite rich in nutrients. Since their flora is
adjusted to more abundant minerals and nutrients, low bog is overgrown with a variety of plants:
Black Alders, Willows, Sedges, Cotton Grasses, Horse Tails, Bog Beans, a lot of moss.
The surface of an intermediate bog is smooth, the vegetation cover and their species composition
are poorer than those of a low-lying bog. Such swamp emerges when the low-lying bog plants
begin withering. This is caused by the fact that organic substances and a layer of peat begin
accumulating in the low-lying bog, forcing the ground water down and leaving less organic
substances for the plants. Common plants: Downy Birches and Silver birches, Osier-Beds,
Sedges, some moss, mainly Peat Moss.
Raised bog its surface is usually hollowed, it is mainly supplied by precipitation and has very
little minerals. It is overgrown with plants that do not require a fertile soil, such as Pines, Marsh,
Labrador Tea, Cotton Grasses, Cranberries, Peat Moss.
Conclusion: I am
I think this because
Task 3. The face of the swamp

Draw an observed swamp segment on a notepad and write down the names of the plants. With
the guides permission, you can paste parts of identified plants: a stem, a leaf, a blossom.
Remember how many levels there are in a forest.
Which levels are missing?
How many in a swamp?

ACTIVITY II. SWAMP FROM UP CLOSE
After completing the tasks, you will learn the features of peat moss and other swamp plants, soil
and water, look for traces of swamp animals.
Tasks
Explain to the participants of the lesson that peat-forming plants are plants that live in a raised
bog. Ask them to name several plants growing in a raised bog. Observe these plants. What is the
most common and abundant swamp plant?
1. Peat moss turf
Examine the structure of peat moss, discuss their variety, describe their color palette and what it
depends on. Give each participant or team a sample of peat moss and ask to examine it through a
microscope. Discuss the features of peat moss. Ask to observe several plants of the Ericaceae
family, find similarities and differences between plants growing in a swamp and on land.
2. Is it easy to grow in a swamp?
After examining the structure of swamp plants, you have made sure that they are adjusted to
growing in swampy conditions. What is the water and soil of a swamp like? Determine the
acidity and color of swamp water. Drill a peat sample from a swamp bed. Examine the peat
through a magnifying glass. If you have a soil pH meter and indicator slips, examine the acidity
of the swamps soil. Find an insect-eating plant Sundew. Find out why the plant eats insects.
Examine its structure. Summarize the task by thinking about the following question: is it difficult
to grow in a swamp? Write down the answers on a large sheet of paper.
3. Is it difficult to live in a swamp?
Discuss what animals could live, visit, feed, hide, breed or hatch in a swamp. Look for traces of
visiting or living animals. Observe birds and listen to their voices. Create a collection of swamp
animals found, observed and heard during the examination.
Break Watch out a quagmire!
Find a spacious site for the game. Find out what a quagmire is and how to identify it. Then lay
out hard paper cards of two colors on the ground. Participants are stood on the cards (tussocks)
of the same color. Cards of the other color (quagmires) are placed on the ground. When the
guide says hop!, each participant has to jump on a different card. If a participant fails to jump
on another card, remains on the original card or accidentally jumps on quagmire, he or she is
knocked out.

ACTIVITY II SHEET. SWAMP FROM UP CLOSE
Task 1. Peat moss turf
What are peat-forming plants?
What plant is the key former of peat?
Which plants did you recognize?
Observe the structure of peat moss through a microscope and draw its parts.
What colors of peat moss did you find during the study?
Which plants of the Ericaceae family did you observe?
What are the differences and similarities between swamp and land plants?
Differences:
Similarities:
Peat moss structure
Task 2. Is it easy to grow in a swamp?
Fill out the table below. You can compare the swamp water with rainwater, river water, lake
water.
Swamp water
water
Swamp soil
pH
Color
Describe peat:
Why is the swamp inhabited by insect-eating plants?
Task 3. Is it difficult to live in a swamp?
Make a list of swamp animals on the other side of the activity sheet. Draw and take pictures of
traces found.

ACTIVITY III. STILL TIME
By completing the tasks, you will learn that plant and animal remains can be preserved in
swamps; over time, peat-forming plants become peat, while living organisms turn into mummies.
Tasks
Ask the participants to look around and examine the swamp surroundings. Discuss why time can
stop at a swamp. After summarizing your thoughts, complete the tasks.
1. At a slow pace
Explain the participants that peat moss grows about 2 cm each year, while their bottom part turns
brown, disintegrates and, together with other plants, gradually becomes peat. Its thickness at
Bears Behind now reaches 5.5 m. Knowing that around 1 millimeter of peat forms in a swamp
each year, estimate how old the swamp is.
2. Mummies
Recall the growing conditions of swamp plants or carry out swamp water and soil studies (see
activity II sheet). Examine the peat sample and perhaps you will find animal mummies. Discuss
why their bodies become preserved instead of decaying. Examine peat. How does the life of a
plant change from the time it turns from a peat-forming plant into peat?
3. Guess how old I am
Ask the participants if there are differences in the types of trees growing in a forest and a swamp.
What tree species do you recognize? Find out why trees grow slower in swamps. Hold a short
competition titled Guess how old I am. Using known methods, figure out the approximate age
of pines growing in a forest and in a swamp. The participant or team with the most accurate
estimate receives a necklace of forest berries.
Break What is missing?
Give the participants cards with swamp plant names, such as Marsh Labrador Team, Cranberry,
Peat Moss. Ask the participants to walk around the site slowly. Half a minute later, clap your
hands. Participants have to close their eyes, turn around three times and squat down, laying their
head on their knees. The guide covers one of the participants with a blanket and asks the other
participants to open their eyes. The first to name which plant is missing is the winner. Play the
game several times, each time covering a different player.

ACTIVITY III. STILL TIME
Task 1. At a slow pace
Estimate the approximate age of the raised bog of Bears Behind
Task 2. Mummies
My findings:
Why are mummies found in a swamp?
How does the life of a plant change from the time it is a peat-forming plant until it turns into
peat? Illustrate schematically.
Task 3. Guess how old I am
Estimated age
Forest pine
Swamp pine
Measured age
How did you calculate the approximate age of the trees?

Describe a pine growing in a swamp (its needles, cones, trunk)
What would happen if you fertilized a swamp pine with nitrogen fertilizer?
150 year old pine growing in the marsh
Difference

LIFE AS DETERMINED BY PINEWOODS
FAMILY TASK
Dzukija is one of Lithuanias ethnographic areas with its own customs, dialect, lifestyle, culture,
nature and landscape. Its natural environment has determined its lifestyle: soil Dzukians are
engaged in agriculture because their lands are more fertile, riverside Dzukians are anglers and
rafters, while pinewood Dzukians make their living from beekeeping, herb picking, berry and
mushroom picking, weaving and other activities because of sandy lands. Among the forests are
scattered villages: Marcinkonys, Margionys, Linaziedziai, Musteika, Zervynos, Ziurai. Village
layouts are usually one of two types stacked and linear. Forest plays an important role in the
life of a pinewood Dzukian as it has long been a source of clothing, food and relaxation.
Dzukians like to say that everything good comes from a forest. Is this really true? Find out for
yourself! You are welcome to the hospitable land of pinewood Dzukians. Visit the fun and
sonorous sands of Dzukija!
At the place of observation, get to know the development of natural environment, history, natural
and cultural heritage, features of biological diversity, landscape, lifestyles and their relationships;
select an observation route and mark it on the map; make copies of the activity sheets and find
the necessary organism guides.
Necessary tools
Activity I: a bicycle to arrive at the place of the green lesson, binoculars, a camera, a GPS
receiver, a tablet, a measuring tape, an organism guide, a hard-cover file, pens, the activity sheet.
Activity II: a camera, a GPS receiver, a slope meter, a microscope, a laptop, a notepad, a basket
for mushrooms, pens, the activity sheet, guides for plants, fungi, mushrooms and lichens.
Activity III: a bicycle to arrive at the place of the green lesson, binoculars, a camera, a lapto, a
hard-cover file, pens, a plant guide.
Duration
Activity I around 4 hours
Activity II around 4 hours
Activity III around 4 hours
Break Fortunately-unfortunately 30 min.
Areas of learning or activity: nature research; biosphere and man; organism structure and
functions; life continuity and variety.

Tips
Dzukija is beautiful during all seasons; however, in order to see the abundance and variety of
mushrooms, you need to come in fall when they are at their peak; spring is perfect for listening
to heath-cock wedding songs (gobbling), while summer can boast of the largest variety of plants.
We recommend integrating with subjects of geography, history, art, technology.
Spoken word is very important for getting to know the environment so get to know the people
and listen to their stories. Make presentations of the most interesting facts, stories and objects.
In order to make the most detailed analysis of the landscape, use the landscape description
formula: landscape = rocks + relief (its origin) + waters + flora (natural, cultivated) +
anthropogenic components, purpose of economic use + emotional impact + name of the place.
You can use binoculars to observe the landscape.
You will walk along the paths of mushroom-full forests so discuss mushroom picking rules and
go over poisonous mushrooms.
What else to do?
Listen to the nature sounds. They are different during various times of the day and the year and
depend on many factors so learn to hear what the nature is rustling, roaring and singings to you.
What to read?
Baltenas A., Drobeliene O. Silu Dzukai. Vilnius, 2009.
Jankaviciute G. Lietuvos Vandenu Vyraujantys Dumbliai. Vilnius, 1996.
Lietuvos Krastovaizdzio Ivairove. 2013. Vilnius, 2013. Pp. 4-23.
Motiejunaite J. Kerpes. Kaunas, 2002.
Urbonas V. Lietuvos Grybu Atlasas. Kaunas, 2007.
Vilkonis K. Lieuvos Zaliasis Rubas. Kaunas, 2008.
Online sources
Dzukijos tradicine kaimo architektura. Interactive. Accessed on 12/01/2015. Online access:
http://www3.lrs.lt/docs2/JRGYCRRP.PDF.
EB svarbos naturaliu buveiniu inventorizavimo vadovas. Buveiniu aprasai, budingos ir tipines
rusys, ju atpazinimas. Misku buveines. Interactive. Accessed on 02/06/2015. Online access:
http://www.botanika.lt/BIGIS/VI%20Miskai%20web.pdf.
Mokomes gamtoje ir is gamtos. Tyrimu zaliosiose mokymosi aplinkose metodine priemone. 2-3
dalys. Siauliai, 2013. Interactive. Accessed on 12/04/2015. Online access:
http://www.esparama.lt/esf-produkati?id=090bdd53801d0168.
usteikos misko gamtotvarkos plano pagrindziamoji informacija. Alytaus aps., Verenos r. sav.
Galioja:
2013-2022.
Interactive.
Accessed
on
25/05/2015.
Online
access:
file:///C:/Users/Epifitas/Desktop/Dzukija/214Musteika.pdf.
Rasomavicius V. VI. Lauko darbu metodikos. Vilnius, 2012. Interactive. Accessed on
02/06/2015. Online access: http://www.botanika.lt/.../VII%20Lauko%20darbu%20metodikos
%20web.pdf.

ACTIVITY I. MYSTERIES OF GOD BUBILAS AND GODDESS AUSTEJA
FAMILY TASK
At Wild Beekeeping Exposition at Musteika Village. Recommended to travel on bikes.
You will get to know the distant ethnographic village in southeastern Lithuania called Musteika.
This was where the famous Lithuanian environmentalist Tadas Ivanauskas lived in 1918-1919.
At the apiary and the wild beekeeping exhibition, you will learn the secrets of the local business
that is beekeeping. You will be able to enjoy the scenic landscape that includes continental dunes,
marshlands and forests.
Tasks
Make an observation route from Musteika Village to the hollow pines (using the layout of the
Wild Beekeeping Sightseeing Trail) and mark it on the map. View the ethnographic village of
Musteika and find out its sights of interest. At the museum, examine the variety of beehives,
beekeepers tools, find out the peculiarities of bee lives. On the Wild Beekeeping Sightseeing
Trail inspect hollow pines (draves) and relicts of the old beekeeping. Discuss the work of a
beekeeper and fill out the activity sheet.
While travelling on the sightseeing trail, find habitats of European importance: Western taiga (the
most common in Musteika forests), lichen pinewoods (more common to the north of Musteika
Spring, where dune ridges border with Musteika Valley; these habitats are more common for
dune tops and southern slopes). In each habitat, select an area of 10 x 20 m2 and list the species
of plants and lichen growing on it. Underline the common species for the habitat. Compare the
plant variety among different habitats and describe them (using Habitat Guide). Illustrate the data
with photos.
There are over 20 plant species found in Musteika Forest (Northern Firmoss, Leopards Bane,
Marsh Gentian, Marsh Orchid, etc.) and included in Lithuanian Red Book. From the plant
species included in Annex II of Habitat Directive, the following can be found in the area:
American Pasqueflower, Sand Pink and Slender Green Feather Moss. Carefully examine the area
and, after finding a rare, protected plant, determine the precise coordinates of its growing place
by using a GPS receiver.
Observe if there are foreign plants in the area and mark their growing places on the map. LargeLeaved Lupine, Manitoba Maple, Common Broom have been found in the surrounding areas of
Musteika Village and Canadian Waterweed has been spotted in Musteika Spring.

ACTIVITY I SHEET. MYSTERIES OF GOD BUBILAS AND GODDESS AUSTEJA
Place:
Date:
Description of the values of Musteika ethnographic village. Ethnocultural heritage:
Living tradition:
Landscape:
Wild beekeeping. How are the bees found in the surrounding areas of Musteika Village different
from the bees in other places of Lithuania?
Types of old beehives and their descriptions:
Old tools of a beekeeper and their purpose:
Description of a hollow pine and a hollow:
Woody plants found in the areas surrounding Musteika:
Habitat
Features of habitats of European importance

Endemic and typical
My emotions
(underline) plant and
lichen species
My observations
Western taiga
Lichen pinewoods
Protected plants found, coordinates for their growing places, their number and growing area (m2)
Foreign plans found, coordinates for their growing places, their number and growing area (m2):

ACTIVITY II SHEET. DUNES, SWAMPS AND FORESTS!
FAMILY TASK
You need to arrive to the parking lot in Marcinkonys. From here, make your way along
Zackagiris (Dziackagiris) Sightseeing trail towards Saudykla Hill, Kloniai Hill (Gaidziai Hill),
Aklaezeris Lake and from here return o Marcinkonys through the forests while passing by the
hollow pine.
You will learn to draw up a traveling route, select observation places, get to know the landscape
of Marcinkoniai surrounding areas, where sand dunes are replaced by small swamps, forests by
meadows, lakes by winding rivers. You will learn which plants grow in sands, pinewoods and
in a lake. You will also learn to identify rare plant species, examine mushroom and lichen variety
and their structure, get to know the variety of pinewoods, gain nature research skills as well as a
better understanding of the relationships between natural environment and mans life.
Tasks
Before completing the tasks, split into groups of florists, mycologists and lichenologists, each of
which will examine the objects of their field and then introduce their results to the entire group.
While making your way towards Saudykla Hill, observe the landscape and the plant variety, stop
at more interesting places, take pictures, read the information on information stands. Measure the
incline of the slopes of Saudykla Hill.
1. Continental dunes. They stretch across Dzukija pinewoods for tens of kilometers and are
stationary; however, Kloniai Hill (Gaidziai Dune) is slowly moving. Measure the incline of the
dunes/hills, examine the variety of plant species, their structure (by examining and through a
microscope), determine how they have adjusted to growing in sand. Find a yellow protected
plant of the Daisy family known as Tragopogon gorskianus, determine the area of its growing
place and the number of individual flowers. Why and how does the landscape resemble a
seaside?
2. Pinewoods and their mushrooms. While travelling along forests, determine the variety of
pinewoods and pick different mushrooms. Describe them, examine the structure of their fruiting
bodies, determine the shape and size of their spores and the structure of mycelium through a
microscope. Observe in which forests and next to which trees mushrooms grow.
3. Lake life. By observing Aklaezeris Lake, discuss the process of lake growing and illustrate it
by a diagram. How did Aklaezeris form and which plants grow in it? Identify the prevailing
fungi in the lake water (through a microscope). On the lakes slopes find the growing places of
Leopards Bane, Sand Pink, evaluate the abundance of these protected plants.
Tragopogon gorskianus
Continental dunes

ACTIVITY II SHEET. DUNES, SWAMPS AND FORESTS!
Place:
Date:
Features of the landscape in the observed section of Marcinkonys-Saudykla Hill trail:
Observed habitats (underline prevailing ones):
Incline of Saudykla Hill slopes:
1. Continental dunes
Incline of Gaidziai Dune slopes:
Features of sandy growing places:
Dune plant species;
Plants growing in sands are called:
Their structure is characterized by:
Why does this landscape resemble seaside?
2. Pinewoods and their mushrooms
While travelling along the trail, observe pinewood changes and identify the prevailing plants and
lichens.
Prevailing mushrooms found, their structure, trees next to which they grow:
Dzukians gather the following mushrooms:
Mushroom picking secrets:
3. Lake life
The origin of Aklaezeris:
Aklaezeris plant species:
Aklaezeris algae species:
Rare plant species found on the lakes slopes and their abundance:

ACTIVITY III. NATURE NEEDS TO BE UNDERSTOOD AND LEFT INTACT!
FAMILY TASK
You need to arrive at the Dzukija National Parks ethnographic farmstead in Marcinkonys (6
Miskininku Str.). From here, you are recommended to take bikes to go to Zervynos.
You will learn Dzukians sense of nature, lifestyle and its relationships with the natural
environment; learn about the Ethnocultural heritage of Marcinkonys and Zervynos, their
flowerbeds and flowers, their traditions. You will realize that mans life is inseparable from
nature.
Task
At the ethnographic farmstead of Dzukija National Park, get to know the lifestyle, crafts and
traditions of pinewood Dzukians. Pinewood Dzukians are often said to be children of the forest,
living as one with nature. Is this why they are so joyous, inclined to sing and adorn their homes
with nature motives?
Marcinkonys and Zervynos Villages, their farmsteads, flowerbeds. Walk around the village,
draw its layout, view the house facades, their adornments, fences. Take their pictures and create a
gallery of adornment elements of each house on your computer. Select some of your favorite
flowerbeds and draw up their layouts, marking the growing flowers and herbs. Draw the variety
of village crosses and note their size and adornments. Travel on a bike from Marcinkonys to
Zervynos and admire the changing landscape on the way.
Game Fortunately-unfortunately. In turns, tell a story by making up a sentence at a time.
One person begins the sentence with fortunately, the next one with unfortunately, for example:
Fortunately, I saw a Leopards Bane. Unfortunately, it was stomped. Fortunately,
Window adornments
Marcinkonys. A cross with two crossbars and a pinny

ACTIVITY III. NATURE NEEDS TO BE UNDERSTOOD AND LEFT INTACT!
Place:
Date:
Marcinkonys. Describe the planned and spatial structure of the farmsteads and its relationship
with the landscape:
Description of house facades, their adornments, fences:
Peculiarities of village crosses:
Layout of a flowerbed (flower species, underline herb plants);
Determine of the traditional planned and spatial structure of the farmsteads, landscaping and
building matches the natural landscape:
Zervynos. Describe the planned and spatial structure of the farmsteads and its relationship with
the landscape:
Description of house facades, their adornments, fences:
Peculiarities of village crosses:
Layout of a flowerbed (flower species, underline herb plants);
Determine of the traditional planned and spatial structure of the farmsteads, landscaping and
building matches the natural landscape:
Today I learnt that:
, understood that
UDK 502.4(474.5) Guide to Dzukija National Park
Va29 ISBN 978-9955-9860-9-6
Order No. 5.4644
Circulation 1000 copies
Printed by AB printing house Titnagas

DZUKIJA NATIONAL PARK
V. Mickevicius-Kreves House-Museum
Merkine Observation Tower
Liskiava Church and Monastery
Dubininkas Oak
Zervynos Ethnographic Farmstead
Marcinkonys Church
Margioniai Barn Theater
Hollow pines
Musteika crosses

Dzukija

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Task 3. The face of the swamp

How many in a swamp?

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How did you calculate the approximate age of the trees?

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Features of habitats of European importance

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