ID code 110090837
VAT code LT100002936910
Kalvarijų str. 8-17
LT-09309 Vilnius
Lithuania
Our office is near the Green bridge. After crossing the bridge, on the left side you should turn into the the second arc.
At the back of the yard you will see a house marked with number 8, go to the left side of the house until you see the entrance marked with green sign of our organization.
Director
Chief Executive Officer
Biodiversity Conservation Expert
+370 5 213 8155
zymantas.morkvenas@bef.lt
LT|EN|RU|PL
Žymantas has been working in the field of nature protection since 1997. As he is a co-founder of NGO Baltic Environmetal Forum, he has been working here from the beggining. Žymantas holds a bachelor degree in biology and master‘s degree in public administration. He also has a long-term working experience in the sector of environmental issues. Žymantas is a head of Baltic Environmental Forum‘s office in Vilnius. While running and developing the orgaisation he enjoys the opportinity to work with enthusiastic people sensitive to environmental problems.
Still being a kid Žymantas had his most favorite tree where he climbed to sit silently and listen to the nature. He believed that the longer he stays in silence the greater is a chance that larger and rarer birds will appear for him. This listening to the rhythm of nature is an individual experience of nature that helps to reveal the secrets of surroundings and also assists in finding yourself. Additionally, it also shapes a different attitude to the current processes in society. Being occupied with thoughts about the economic development, concurrence we see the nature as an object to be controlled or even conquered. Žymantas believes that this way is not the right one and is always seeking for some good examples and tries to uphold the concept that people can get along with nature.
Financial Manager
Head of Administration
Chief Operating Officer
+370 5 213 8155
rita.jonkuviene@bef.lt
LT|EN|RU
Rita joined BEF Lithuania in 2006. Previously she worked as a chief accountant and art manager in an open-air museum “Europos parkas”. Rita has background in management and business administration, aswell as tax administration.
At BEF Lithuania she responsible for general finances, cash flow and other financial analysis. Rita is also taking care of organization’s projects’ finances: planning, controll and organization of financial reporting.
Rita works in Baltic Environmental Forum since 2013. She coordinates activities related to communication and nature tourism (ecotourism), supervises volunteers and is responsible for the development of initiative Gamtoje.org. Before, Rita worked at the National Blood Center – organized donation actions, campaigned them, conducted educational activities and coordinated volunteers in all Lithuania. So far, she actively promotes non-remunerated blood donation. Rita grew up, later worked and volunteered in Žemaitija national park, so, she is well aware of protected areas’ system. A lot of knowledge about sustainable tourism and it’s development she has gained during her internship in United Nations World Tourism Organization. Rita has master degree in public relations (and information and communication bachelor’s degree), a lot of enthusiasm, persistence and Samogitian gunpowder.
Rita says: “Nature is not a beautiful exterior or background in which our (self-) portraits seem more attractive. Nature can not be desired or refused. We are in the nature inseperably, and nature is in us. This is an indivisible whole.”
Justas joined Baltic Environmental Forum in the end of year 2013. His main tasks are mostly related to sustainable rural development and agri-environmental issues. He coordinates the initiative “Report when nature is being hurt” and management of Dvarčionys meadow. After completing his Bachelor studies in geography and Master’s degree in social geography and spatial planning at Vilnius University Justas is interested in GIS (geographic information system) application in environmental protection, also, in the interaction between rural development, agriculture and environmental. The other not less interesting field for him is observing reflections of human activities and time in the landscape, which can be seen by comparing and analyzing historical maps.
Justas says: “For being able to see the beauty of the nature I have firstly thank to my parents. Now, time spent in the nature, traveling and exploration has become the way of my life. Every trip to the nature becomes a bewildering experience that you want to share. Maybe that is the reason why I have no questions when talking about nature protection and conservation, neither that you have to pick up your own trash after camping.”
Gintras joined Baltic Environmental Forum in 2017.
Giedre joined the BEF team in the beginning of summer of 2023. Her main responsibilities are the administration of projects and procurement activities, she actively contributes to the organizing events, and takes care of our office like her home. Giedre has a bachelor’s degree in Ecology and Environmental Studies. After the university, she gained her experience in other fields, but the growing desire to be closer to nature led Giedre to BEF.
Giedre says: “Traveling around Lithuania, getting to know undiscovered places, hiking along so-called and not quite forest trails, the smell of natural nature, “hunting” birds and animals with eyes and ears – gives me inner peace, the desire to love, create and protect the environment in which I live.”
Aquatic Warbler Conservation Project Action Coordinator in Nemunas Delta
+370 662 20046
LT|RU
Gabija joined the team in 2022. Before she was working as a project manager in a governmental organisation “Invest Lithuania” and also multiple environmental projects in Spain. Gabija acquired a Bachelor degree in Geography in Vilnius university, Lithuania and a Master’s degree in Conservation, Restoration and Management of Biodiversity in University of Granada, Spain.
Gabija says: “We are currently living in times, when relying only on environmental conservation, we are not able to preserve functioning and healthy ecosystems, habitats and species. Therefore it is crucial to work not only on conservation, but also on restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity. Often damaged ecosystems cannot be restored to their initial state due to lack of information, land use, social, economical, and other reasons, so we should look for compromises which would allow us to have sustainably managed natural and semi natural ecosystems with the support of local communities.”
Kamilė joined BEF at the start of 2017. Her main responsibilities here are activities related to communication. Till now Kamilė contributed to the technical activities while planning and organising projects, implementing procurements. She has finished Archival science studies. After completing her Master studies in communication for sustainable development Kamilė got a Master degree of Communication science.
Kamilė thinks about nature in the words of H. Zinn: “We don’t have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world”.
Eglė joined the BEF in 2023 spring as an environmental specialist. She completed her bachelor’s studies in biology at VMU and is currently studying the Master’s program in Biodiversity at Vilnius University. Eglė is interested in the use of diurnal moth observation data in environmental protection by coordinating the diurnal moth monitoring program. Also, in conservation and restoration of natural habitats, butterfly ecology and dissemination of information about the importance of biodiversity.
Eglė says: “let’s stay curious and curious, nature is full of undiscovered curiosities and secrets”.
Rūta joined the team of the BEF in 2023 in spring and is the coordinator of project activities. She graduated from Vilnius University with a bachelor’s degree in management administration. She has gained the most experience in the fields of sales, management, coordination and organisation of events and tours.
Rūta says: “for ten years, the passion of my life was horses, and now it’s nature and its conservation. Although I have been close to nature all my life, I have not seen its true beauty for a long time. That’s when I realised that I want to devote my energy to preserving it while we still have something to preserve. Because nature is the basis of our health and well-being. And the secrets and natural links hidden in it are unique and make you not to remain indifferent. It is unique and unrepeatable.”
Tadas joined the BEF in 2023 spring as an environmental specialist. Previously, he worked as an ecologist in the Neris Regional Park and has obtained a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in zoology at Vilnius University. Tadas has a great passion for hiking in nature – he even leads them professionally himself.
Tadas says: “people have various “cornerstones” in their lives, “patrons” – family, friends, money, etc. In my opinion, the primary guarantee of all priorities in life is our environment, nature. In order for our lives to be “good” we need to learn to be a part of nature again. I can’t cover everything, so my mission is “modest” – the protection of biological diversity.”
Volunteer
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Vaida started working in Baltic environmental forum in 2013 and her main responsibility here is project administration. She have finished Management and business administration and also Social work studies. At the moment Vaidas is studying Educology. She has experience in administration, organization, consultation and education areas. One of her interest field is organization’s culture and values.
Vaida says: “Traveling and hiking in the nature is one of my favorite activities during the weekends and holidays. I find spiritual peace while being in the nature. From my point of view, living in harmony with yourself and nature is a key aspect of a daily life.”
Egle works in Baltic Environmental Forum since 2016. She coordinates activities related to communication of chemical and agroecological projects. Before, Egle worked in fields of journalism, public relations and communication, also worked under individual activity certificate. Egle actively promotes animal welfare initiatives. She has communication and information bachelor’s degree, and a wind weather-beaten free spirit from Klaipėda.
Egle says: “If you want to change the world, start from yourself. There are no insignificant changes. Even the smallest thing can have a severe impact on living harmoniously with nature and the environment, that surrounds us every day.”