"Cleaning the coast to defend it against autumn and winter winds is a never-ending process. It is crucial to protect the dunes from erosion and reinforce the shoreline, a natural barrier against flooding during storms. Today, we have seen how the dunes are particularly affected by storms and heavy traffic in summer, and the park staff and volunteers are currently underway in their work to replenish the dunes with sand before the next season so that they can once again bring joy to holidaymakers. Such clean-ups provide environmental benefits and encourage people to learn more about their surroundings and the principles of harmonious coexistence with nature," said Darius Nicius, Head of the Directorate of Protected Territories of Lithuania Minor.
According to Darius Nicius, every year the Directorate of Protected Territories of Lithuania Minor reinforces about 3 km (or 15,000 sq.) of beach dunes, and repairs wooden stairs and paths leading through them for holidaymakers. This work costs between €40,000 and €70,000 annually, so the help of volunteers is greatly appreciated.
"It's great to see that, every year, we manage to gather a group of conscious volunteers who not only enjoy the sea but also want to take care of the dunes. Compared to the first "Dunes Need You" campaign, there were twice as many helpers this year. This time, volunteers from SBA companies, schoolchildren, and residents of Klaipėda city and district used branches to reinforce erosion hotspots across an area the size of about 10,000 square metres. This was a significant help effort, as it would have cost the relevant authority €15,000 to purchase this service, and the savings made can now be invested in other environmental projects," said Raimonda Kižienė, Head of SBA Home.
In three years, she says, volunteers of the "Dunes Need You" initiative have reinforced more than 7 km of dunes. This time, one of the most visited areas on the seaside at the border between Klaipėda city and the district was chosen – near the Memel-Nord Battery (World War II fortifications), heading in the direction of Dutch Cap – to compensate for the anthropogenic impact of the summer season.
The dunes are fixed using only natural means, such as tree branches brought in from forests and logging sites cleared from natural habitats. This includes laying paths trodden by holidaymakers during the season, and forming wind-blown sand pits and unvegetated ditches. The branches trap the sand, resulting in the formation of grow dunes, which prevent seawater from spreading further inland during storms.
After their work along the shore (and enjoying fragrant tea and delicious kibinais), the volunteers and their guide looked closely at the World War II exhibitions and the activities undertaken by Lithuanian border guards at the Memel-Nord Battery, and showed an interest in their secrets.
The dune stewardship Initiative "Dunes Need You" originated in 2021 as part of the SBA volunteering wave initiative, which brings together employees and communities from SBA Group companies to do good deeds and discover new forms of volunteering. Last year, some 1,500 SBA volunteers gave over 5,500 hours of their time to meaningful work.
