Gostilitsky sanctuary
The Gostilitsky sanctuary is a protected area in the Lomonosovsky District composed mainly of spruce and broadleaf forests with maple and linden trees throughout. The landscape features wetlands and marshes interspersed with streams, where mosses and rare plants such as lady's slipper orchids grow.
The sanctuary was officially established in 1976 to protect the natural features of the forest and its plant and animal life. Its creation reflected efforts to preserve landscapes from development and human disturbance.
The sanctuary serves as a place where visitors experience how forests and wetlands function as natural systems that support local plant and animal life. People come here to connect with the landscape their ancestors inhabited and to recognize why such places matter for their region.
Visitors should know that collecting plants, mushrooms, or minerals is forbidden and fires are not allowed outside designated areas. Access typically requires permission from local authorities, and vehicles must remain on roads and designated parking areas.
Over 314 plant species have been documented here, including the lady's slipper orchid and Baltic marsh orchid, both protected in national red books. More than 100 bird species use the area, with 12 considered at risk and strictly protected, including the white stork and night owl.
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