One Wednesday, students of the master's program "Natural Systems Management" exchanged their project preparation and implementation studies in the auditorium for practical experience in nature.

Together with Petras Adeikis, associate professor at Vilnius University's Šiauliai Academy, they participated in activities that allowed them to get a close-up look at real-life nature conservation practices. Adeikis, who has been implementing nature conservation projects for many years, presented how this type of work is carried out in real-life conditions. The students learned about the progress of the LIFE project "Expansion of the Lynx Population in Northern Poland" (LIFE22-NAT-PL-LIFE-LYNX-PL-LT-DE-101114131) and its importance for the conservation of endangered species. During the sessions, discussions were held on today's environmental issues, ranging from animal protection to ideas on how to develop projects that benefit both nature and society.

The students not only listened, but also actively shared their insights on the most important aspects of project development and their potential benefits. One of the most memorable moments of the trip was observing animals. The students learned how to use special equipment to study the behavior of large mammals, became familiar with the use of drones for observation, analyzed the situation of the owl population being studied in Šiauliai, and tried to follow animal tracks both in the forest and on roads. The experience left a strong impression – the students returned inspired, full of new ideas and motivation. They emphasize that communication with nature conservation specialists with practical experience significantly enriches their knowledge.