More than 100,000 trees, 10 million shrubs and 300,000 winders – this is ambitious goal of Vilnius to create a green wave. The initiative is aimed at creating a more welcoming, sustainable and healthy environment for the capital’s residents, visitors and the biodiversity around us. While the goal is noble, its achievment if challenging, and everyone – citizens, communities, businesses and organisations – can contribute to achievement of this ambitious goal.

You can take part in the Green Wave of Vilnius by planting your own plants or by donating them to landscaping professionals. The residents of Vilnius are also invited to plant next to their homes, workplaces or in the areas of the city at their choice. Vilnius Municipality provides all the support and expert advice necessary for such activities.

Seedlings as gifts

Did you know that every year Vilnius City donates thousands of bush seedlings for residents to plant in their own community yard? All you have to do is consult your neighbours and, with their consent, contact the municipality to find out where and what kind of shrubs you want to plant. Smooth hydrangeas, lilacs, jasmine, black chokeberries are just a few of the types of seedlings that the municipality will give you as a gift. This is a great opportunity not only to beautify your yard, get to know the community around you better, but also to contribute to the growing Green Vilnius Wave initiative.

Volintary community planting

Every spring, you are invited to join voluntary community planting events with your friends, family or colleagues. They are carried out by the experienced specialists and arborists of the organisation Vilnius City Parks (Vilniaus miesto parkai) who select the most suitable planting spots in advance and give residents the opportunity to contribute to the creation of a green capital. During such voluntary community works, thousands of shrubs and trees have already been planted in Karoliniškės, Žirmūnai, Naujamiestis, Žvėryn, Antakalnis, Pašilaitis, Pavilniai micro-districts and many other micro-districts of Vilnius.

Let not only the streets, but also fences and roofs be green

Like a tsunami, the Green Wave not only floods the streets of Vilnius, but also turns fences and rooftops green. A carpet of sedum blossomed on the roof of the recently opened Lazdynai swimming pool. This is the first roof of such size in Vilnius – 1000 m2 – to be planted with nine species of sedum. More than three thousand different plants enlivened the green cover. Thyme, oregano, woodruff, strawberries, strawberries and cowslips are all green. Green roofs are a great gift to the biodiversity of the city – these plants not only absorb pollution and carbon dioxide, but also reduce the risk of heat islands.

Throughout the spring, Vilnius City Municipality distributed winders to schools and kindergartens in the capital for fence planting. Around 8,200 winder seedlings were distributed to almost 80 institutions. They were planted and maintained by the school communities themselves. They not only decorate the fences of schools and kindergartens, but also create a healthier environment for the school community, protecting against street noise, car pollution and dust. They also provide privacy, security, beautiful greenery in summer and colour in autumn.

Sustainable grassland mowing

A unique initiative, changing the old tradition of meadow maintenance, has been launched in Vilnius since 2022. Instead of continuous regular mowing works, the concept of unmown meadows has been chosen to be implemented in a part of the capital. Imagine a meadow where the grass grows freely and naturally and nature takes care of its own beauty. A seemingly simple solution has become a significant tool in the fight against climate change and environmental pollution. Meadows maintained in this way reduce air pollution, are extremely beneficial for the urban ecosystem and provide a haven for a wide range of plant and animal species. Unmown meadows in Vilnius act as natural air filters, reducing soil erosion and retaining excess water when it rains.

Drylands is the home of biodiversity

Some people believe that only green trees are good for nature and for us, but the value of fallen trees is no less. Although fallen or storm-damaged trees have come to the end of their lives, once their roots are firmly planted in the ground, their next life cycle continues: they become home and food for a wide range of animals, insects, plants and fungi. They are particularly important for the ecological health of the forest. More than 5,000 different organisms that feed on wood can be found in a single fallen tree. For this reason, city park supervisors leave some trees in parks even after they have fallen. Thus, a natural home for biodiversity is created.

What can you do?

Contribute to green initiatives in Vilnius by planting trees and shrubs in your neighbourhood or taking part in organised volunary community works. You can help plant public and community areas, share seedlings with your neighbours or volunteer in various initiatives.