In unprotected areas, the cranberry picking season date is not set by legislation, so cranberry picking is only allowed by following the specific requirements established in the area. These restrictions are applied to protect sensitive natural areas, their habitats, flora, and fauna.
Read more „Vilvi group“ revenue grew 34% this year to 258 million euros
Cranberries grow in peat or acidic soil. Therefore, the largest cranberry bogs are in swamps, protected areas. Some of them fall within state natural reserve territories, where valuable habitats, rare plant and animal species are protected.
What you need to know when going to the forest to pick berries?
Berry picking is allowed in all areas except reserves and protected areas defined by the Protected Areas Law, protected area regulations, or other legal acts. Exceptions apply in some reserves during certain periods and only for local residents. When planning to pick cranberries, it is recommended to contact the Protected Areas Directorates for specific area visiting rules.
When picking berries (and mushrooms) or collecting medicinal herbs, quantities are not limited, but it is important to follow environmental protection requirements: do not use “rakes” for berry picking, do not break, pull out, or otherwise damage berry bushes. It is forbidden to cut, chop, break, or otherwise harm tree or shrub branches and trunks. When collecting forest products, it is mandatory to follow the Forest Visiting Rules and the Wild Plants and Mushrooms Usage Regulations.
Mushroom pickers and berry pickers are encouraged to leave the forest clean, and if they find other people’s litter, to collect it and sort the waste for disposal as much as possible.
There are cases when access to forests is prohibited or temporarily not allowed due to increased forest fire danger, logging, or other reasons, so it is important to follow information and comply with the rules.
Motor vehicles may enter and drive in the forest only on roads. It is recommended to park cars only in designated vehicle parking lots. When parking a vehicle on the roadside, care must be taken not to drive on moss, lichens, or berry bushes.
Read more Laurynas Kasčiūnas: the national division may not reach full operational capacity by 2030
Berry picking in Dzūkija
In the Žuvintas Nature Reserve, berry picking (cranberry picking) is allowed on designated plots on September 13–14 for local residents who have declared residence in villages or homesteads adjacent to the nature reserve and have an identity document with them. Berry picking is allowed during daylight hours (until 5 p.m.).
In the Čepkeliai State Nature Reserve, visiting for berry and mushroom picking is allowed from September 15 to September 30 only during daylight hours (not earlier than one and a half hours before sunrise and not later than one and a half hours after sunset) only for local residents who have declared residence in villages and homesteads adjacent to the reserve (Paramėlis, Katra, Krokšlys (Šumas), Lynežeris, Marcinkonys, Musteika) and have an identity document with them. Berry and mushroom picking is allowed only during daylight hours, i.e., one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset.
Residents are urged to follow the berry picking rules and present identity documents to officials and reserve rangers as required.
Responsibility
- For violating the requirements of laws regulating forest visits, a warning or a fine of 20–50 euros is applied. For heads of legal entities or other responsible persons, a fine of 50–110 euros.
- For using wild plant resources in violation of established procedures, a warning or a fine of 60–500 euros is applied. For heads of legal entities or other responsible persons – a fine of 90–700 euros.
- For damaging or destroying wild plants or mushrooms, their parts, or collecting or removing these plants or mushrooms or their parts from the environment, damaging or destroying wild plant or mushroom habitats in a state reserve, state sanctuary, state park, biosphere reserve, biosphere polygon, or European ecological network “Natura 2000” area in violation of laws regulating the use of wild plants or mushrooms, a fine of 80–700 euros is applied. For heads of legal entities or other responsible persons – a fine of 200–1,000 euros.
- For picking or selling mushrooms and berries listed in the Lithuanian Red Book, a fine of 250–1,000 euros is provided. For heads of legal entities or other responsible persons – a fine of 300–1,500 euros.
Also, administrative offenses may result in confiscation of tools and means used to commit the violation.
If you have questions, specialists from the Environmental Protection Department will consult you by phone +370 700 02022 or by email konsultacijos@aad.am.lt.
