Connected Polish Forest – is it possible to link forests together?

According to the Las Na Zawsze Foundation, the Connected Polish Forest is an innovative initiative aimed at protecting as much high-nature-value forest area as possible – so that it can survive in the most undisturbed form. Is it possible to merge scattered forest complexes into one functional organism? The Foundation believes this will be achievable through cooperation across various communities and the involvement of private individuals.

It all started with a single phone call, recalls Paweł Krzemiński, Vice President of the Foundation. A friendly association asked the Foundation for help in purchasing and protecting the highly valuable Wytrzyszczka Forest in the Małopolska region. The land had been put up for sale and was at serious risk of destruction. The Foundation managed to buy back a unique 4.5 hectares of wild, biodiverse forest – and that’s how the new idea was born.

Today, the Las Na Zawsze Foundation protects over 40 hectares of ecologically valuable land in various parts of Poland. The goal is ambitious – in the initial phase of creating the Connected Polish Forest, the Foundation aims to secure a forest area of at least 2,000 hectares, equivalent to the size of Ojców National Park. In the long term, the plan is to establish a network of mature, diverse forests throughout the country.

How does it work in practice?

The Las Na Zawsze Foundation invites everyone to get involved – from local communities and activists to people from the business world. In truth, anyone who cares about nature conservation can participate. Protecting forests requires a joint and comprehensive effort – from both governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as everyday people who understand the importance of preserving nature in its least altered form, especially in the face of growing human pressure.

First, the Foundation identifies mature, biodiverse forests whose protection is particularly urgent. Areas of high ecological interest are selected in consultation with experts from the Institute of Forest Sciences and the Faculty of Forestry at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. These forests are in private hands, so the Foundation uses funds raised from the public to purchase them and… leaves them untouched. These areas are secured with an eco-conservation contract, which prohibits any commercial use of the forests, such as logging or economic activities.

The idea is for the Connected Polish Forest to become a living network of forests, functioning on as large a scale as possible. The more people join the initiative, the larger the forest will grow.

The idea is gaining support from other organizations and experts. Ryszard Kulik, a psychologist, naturalist, and activist affiliated with the Ecological Thought Club Foundation, speaks about the project:

The most important message in human history is this: we are irreversibly losing planetary life – we are living in an age of mass extinction. Most species live in forests, which are being relentlessly exploited. We urgently need effective protection for wild nature. One important action is buying private forests and returning them to nature.

Why is this so important?

Mature, native forests have immense ecological value. Because they haven’t been significantly altered by human activity, they’ve had a chance to develop freely. They provide shelter for threatened or nearly extinct species of plants and animals. In addition, forests support us in fighting climate change, purify the air, sequester carbon dioxide, and regulate the water cycle in nature – helping to naturally prevent soil erosion and desertification, a growing issue across Europe.

Creating space for nature to self-regulate also allows us to observe its natural cycles, foster a thriving biosphere, and establish safe habitats for many organisms. Thanks to the Foundation’s efforts, many habitats for valuable species – including the fire salamander, earthstar fungus, and wren – have already been secured.

When talking about forests, we should not forget their educational value. The Connected Polish Forest has a real chance to become a precious legacy for future generations, offering the opportunity to experience nature in its most unaltered form. Spending time in the forest has tangible benefits for our well-being, bringing calm and relaxation. It’s no coincidence that activities like forest education, forest therapy, and guided nature walks are becoming increasingly popular.

Connected Polish Forest invites you to get involved

Similar initiatives are already successfully operating in continental Western Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and South America. Across the globe, forest conservation is becoming an increasingly pressing issue, demanding concrete solutions and thoughtful action on the widest possible scale.

Considering that the creation of a new national park in Poland is planned only after more than two decades since the last one was established, every new initiative seems valuable. It’s also worth looking at the statistics from a broader perspective – currently, national parks cover only 1 percent of Poland’s area. Meanwhile, in Norway they account for 6 percent, in Montenegro 8 percent, and in Iceland as much as 11 percent.

The Las Na Zawsze Foundation – the creator of the Connected Polish Forest – has already achieved many successes in protecting and planting new forests with biodiversity in mind. It currently protects over 400,000 square meters of mature forest and has planted nearly 2 million square meters of new forest.

More information about the initiative, and how to join, can be found at polaczonapuszczapolska.pl.

Source: press material from the Las Na Zawsze Foundation