Written by: Anželika Dautartė, VMU

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Nature-Based Solutions at VMU Arboretum: Community Engagement in Shaping a Sustainable Future

On 15 May 2025, the Arboretum of the Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy hosted a community gathering, inviting participants not only to experience the peacefulness of nature but also to actively engage in a meaningful conversation about the future potential of this space. The event was part of the ᴇNᴀBʟS project and Lithuanian Living Lab (LL)’s activities, which focus on developing practical solutions through direct community involvement.

The meeting began with an immersive tour of the Arboretum, allowing participants to rediscover this nature-filled space – its rich plant diversity, landscape features, and its quiet yet powerful educational potential. This was followed by an open discussion where participants explored how to transform the Arboretum into a dynamic, accessible, and vibrant space for student and researcher studies, educational activities, and community collaboration.

This event served as a living example of how Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) can be applied, and it also highlighted one of VMU’s LL initiatives, where the university collaborates with the community to find sustainable solutions for biodiversity conservation. Ideas discussed included organising educational programmes, student-driven microprojects, joint work with residents, sensory spaces, and expanding the Arboretum’s accessibility to the wider public.

The participants’ feedback was as valuable as the ideas themselves. A survey conducted after the event showed that most respondents found the event both relevant and inspiring, and they identified clear opportunities to apply the insights gained in their own communities. Many emphasised that events like this help deepen the understanding of NBS, while the interactive format – featuring a tour, discussions, and time spent in nature – fosters not only listening but active participation.

This gathering reinforced that universities are not only spaces for knowledge but also for co-creation. VMU Agriculture Academy aims to continue strengthening its dialogue with the community, exploring how natural spaces can serve as platforms for learning, research, and civic engagement. The Arboretum is one such space, where sustainability ideas take root, and the Living Lab transforms into a vibrant, ongoing process.