The analysis of the declared agricultural land and ecological farming situated in the Krekenava regional park (RP), which is situated in the Middle Lithuania, is presented in the article. The Naujamiestis subdistrict was chosen for the comparison of the use of agricultural lands and ecological farming in the regional park. In 2011, the total agricultural land and crop area declared in the Krekenava Regional Park was 8184.19 ha, i.e. by 317.89 ha or 3.74 percent less than in 2009. 371 family farms were declared, i.e. by 53 farms less in comparison with 2009. In 2009, the declared area of agricultural lands in Naujamiestis subdistrict covered 9877.66 ha and it made up 63.32 percent of the total subdistrict’s area. 359 farmers introduced declarations. The average area of the declared farms was 27.51 ha. In 2011, the declared area of the agricultural lands was 9851.33 ha i.e. smaller than 26.33 ha or 0.27 percent less than in 2009. The number of declared farmers in 2011 was 329, i.e. by 30 farms or 9.12 percent less than in 2009. Ecological farming is relevant to protected areas. The article analyzes the Krekenava RP and Naujamiestis subdistrict’s farms applying ecological farming tools. The analysis of the 2009- 2011 period showed that the declared areas in Krekenava RP have decreased, and the area of farms applying organic measures has increased by 81.69 hectares (nearly 2.5 times). The number of farmers applying organic farming measures in Naujamiestis subdistrict has increased twice and 12 farms i.e., 3.63 per cent of the declared ones had organic farms in 2011, the analyzed area was increased by 581.55 hectares or 3 times.

The conservation and renovation of biological diversity of territories are of vital importance in Ukraine. The concept of ecological networks has laid the foundation of these issues. In Ukraine, the law “On the ecological network” was adopted, and ecological networks were developed at the regional level. However, most developments do not fully take into account the location of reserved territories and places of concentration of valuable flora and fauna, and also often do not correspond to the principle of formation of a holistic system, which significantly reduces their environmental significance and the expediency of practical implementation. The authors of the article consider that one should estimate the natural potential of the territories in detail and objectively, as well as provide recommendations for practical actions for the renovation of biological and landscape diversity. One can do it in the process of the development of local ecological networks (at the level of separate administrative regions and territorial communities). One has developed the structure of the ecological network on the example of Stryi district of Lviv region and determined the estimation of the spatial connectivity of its crucial elements. The problem is that most of the connecting territories are formed from semi-natural and unnatural lands (hayfields, pastures, arable lands), which complicates the practical side of the project implementation. One needs to develop an effective mechanism to encourage landowners and land users to carry out environmental activities; to increase investments in re-naturalization of lands; to conduct environmental education and environmental public awareness campaign; to provide local government and other stakeholders with consulting services for the development of ecological network development programs at the local level in Ukraine.

The aim of the article is to assess tourism and recreation resources and possibilities of their development in the selected areas in Kretinga, Trakai and Kaunas district municipalities. Natural and separate zones’ landscape complexes in Lithuania are favourable for recreation and tourism. Although Lithuania’s territory in comparison with other countries is not large, it is characterized by a huge variety of geographical complexes and landscapes. By recreational potential Lithuania surpasses even numerous European countries, which are arranged along the northern coastline. Rivers, lakes and forests constitute 25 % of the total Lithuania’s area. Forests, parks, sea, other water reserves, geomorphological structures are aesthetically valuable landscape complexes in the Republic of Lithuania and make up one third of the total area. Having conducted assessment of the landscape in the selected territories and analysed territory-planning documents of Kretinga, Kaunas and Trakai municipalities with regard to recreation and tourism, it has been identified that although the main kind of recreational activity in the analysed municipalities is educational recreation, tourism infrastructure is not sufficiently developed and there is a shortage of accommodation-providing companies. After assessment of the landscape in recreational objects, it has been noticed that the assessed objects are characterized by high spatial flora variety, prevailing greenery and plants. In addition, landscapes are varied and not fully adjusted to recreation and tourism.