Poznan Wetland City – summary of actions taken on the way to accreditation

It has not been known for a long time that wetlands play an important role in their surroundings, including in cities. Their importance has been noticed and appreciated in Poznan, and the commitment of the authorities of the capital of Wielkopolska resulted in the title of Wetland City. Szymon Prymas, director of the Climate and Environment Department of the UMP, answered our questions about the protection and renaturalization of these ecosystems.

What specific initiatives is Poznań implementing to earn the title of wetland-friendly city?

Poznan has become the first Polish city to be accredited as a Wetland City. The list of awardees was announced during the 64th meeting of the Ramsar Standing Committee, which brings together countries that sign the international treaty for the protection of wetlands, established in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. Achieving accreditation as a Wetland Friendly City is a unique achievement that underscores the importance of efforts to protect and sustainably manage wetlands – valuable ecosystems that support biodiversity and help combat climate change.

For many years, wetlands in Poznan have been covered by various forms of nature conservation, such as:

1. Ecological use of Ratajski newts – to protect the population of amphibians, which need water to live and reproduce;
2. Bogdanka I and Bogdanka II ecological uses – established to protect semi-natural plant communities (wet meadows) in the Bogdanka valley with all their species richness;
3. Zurawiniec Nature Reserve – established to preserve biogenic sediments, a record of natural and cultural heritage.

On December 29, 2022, a Team for the development of Retention Standards for the City of Poznań was established by an order of the Mayor. The Team’s activities consisted of indicating guidelines for the development of the Retention Standards, consultation on the concept and basic assumptions for them, and consultation on the project in cooperation with public administration entities, scientific institutions and NGOs.

Poznan is working to protect wetlands by, among other things, strengthening amphibian conservation efforts, inextricably linked to the aquatic environment. It is enlarging and restoring wetland habitats for protected species by planning and building dams to dam up water – for example, in areas under the management of the Poznan Forestry Plant. In 2022, the City Council, from its own funds, paid for an installation to collect rainwater from the surface of the roofs of the sports championship high school building on the Tysiąclecia Housing Estate No. 43 in Poznań and bring it via an independent gravity pipeline to two ponds on the grounds of the Traszki Ratajskie ecological site.

For this purpose, an independent ring rainwater drainage system was constructed around the school buildings, collecting rainwater exclusively from the roof surfaces. The system is completely cut off from rainwater inflows from contaminated impervious surfaces such as sidewalks, parking lots and streets.

The investment has undoubtedly contributed to improving water relations: increasing retention and groundwater recharge under intensifying drought conditions, as well as improving habitat conditions for amphibians living there.

At the same time, the city is conducting an extensive educational campaign and undertaking cooperation, including with the Poznań University of Life Sciences, Based on the signed agreement, it is in the process of developing Standards for the Protection of Amphibians in Poznań.

Important actions taken by the City in recent years include those related to saving the Żurawiniec reserve. This is a picturesque area in the Piatkowski Forest, located in the north of Poznań, in the Naramowice district. It was created in 1959 on an area of about 1.5 hectares and is one of the most interesting natural areas around the city. The reserve was established to protect low and transitional bogs and valuable plant species associated with these habitats.

RP Cranberry is primarily a marsh and bog habitat, where moisture-loving plants, such as reddish yellow vetch (Alopecurus aequalis L.), lance reed (Calamgrostis caescens L.) and gray sedge (Carex canescens L.), predominate. The presence of these species makes the reserve unique compared to other areas of the city. Considering the enormous potential of the area, on the initiative of the Poznan Forestry Department, measures have been taken to save it from degradation.

In 2012, scientists from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań were commissioned to conduct preliminary studies, which were necessary to decide on possible restoration measures. Their results showed that it was possible to restore the water conditions of the reserve. In 2014, by Order No. 552/2014/P of the Mayor of Poznań, a task team for the revitalization of the Żurawiniec reserve was established, whose main task was to help implement the concept of irrigation of the reserve and the Piatkowski Forest. Implementation of the order was entrusted to the Poznan Forest Department. The innovative revitalization concept consists in the implementation of a system for supplying the Piatkowski Forest with rainwater.

In the second half of 2015. The Poznan Forestry Department commissioned the construction of specialized underground infrastructure, using rainwater from an existing stormwater drainage system in the area to irrigate the Piatkowski Forest and, consequently, the reserve itself. These measures effectively raised the groundwater level. The solutions developed in the implementation of this project have become an inspiration for other cities in Poland.

Experiences and achievements have been shared at meetings and conferences, and the results of our efforts show how important it is to consider sustainable development, enabling the preservation of sensitive natural elements for future generations while developing and meeting housing and infrastructure needs. The benefits of the ecosystem functions of forests and peatlands, as well as opportunities to educate the public, are extremely important, especially in an era of ongoing climate change, in which periods of drought are lengthening and maximum temperatures are rising, leading to lower groundwater levels.

The city also carries out retention activities in the Junikowski Stream valley, which is a valuable natural site and an important part of the city’s green infrastructure. Located in the southwestern areas of Poznań, the valley covers an area along the Junikowski Stream, a left-bank tributary of the Warta River, with a length of 11.7 km and a catchment area of 48.4 km². It is an area characterized by moist habitats, which promotes biodiversity and creates favorable living conditions for numerous representatives of fauna and flora. The valley is a seminatural habitat of high floristic value – more than 400 species of vascular plants have been documented here, including many typical of forest, meadow and wetland communities. There are habitats here that favor both small invertebrates and vertebrates.

However, due to climate change and periodic water shortages, the valley is struggling to cope with falling groundwater levels. In response to these threats in 2023. Poznan Forest Department carried out measures to improve water retention – the construction of a wooden pond and a stone damming threshold. This type of hydro-technical structure supports the natural retention provided by the European beavers (Castor fiber L.) present in the valley, specifically their dams.

Thanks to these activities, about 3,000 m³ of water were collected, which positively influenced the condition of the neighboring forests and the biodiversity of the southeastern green wedge. Research on the impact of the carried out activities on the hydromorphology and hydrology of the Junikowski Stream valley was carried out by the University of Life Sciences in Poznań, which was also present at the creation of the project assumptions. The retention activities carried out in this area are of particular importance in the face of climate change, which causes a decrease in groundwater levels and affects the condition of forest ecosystems, including in the area of the Marcelinski Forest.

In addition, employees of the Climate and Environment Department participate in training courses on ecosystem services, including as part of the ECOSERV-POL project.

Does the city plan to expand wetlands, such as through restoration? If so, what areas are being considered?

In 2023. The Department of Climate and Environment of the UMP has commissioned natural valorization for the establishment of Nature Protection Forms – ecological uses, among others, in the Junikowski Stream area. In 2024. A valorization of the extremely valuable wetland area of the former Kopanina I and Kopanina II ecological land has been commissioned. Work is currently underway to restore protection to these areas.

In 2024, the Climate and Environment Department of the City Hall of Poznan joined the ReBioClim project (Renaturalization of urban streams as support for enhancing biodiversity, climate adaptation and quality of life in cities) in the call of the Interreg Central Europe 2021-2027 program. The ReBioClim project focuses on the problem of renaturalization of urban streams using nature-based solutions (NBS).

In addition, the Poznan Forest Department, responding to the challenges of environmental protection and adaptation of forests to climate change, in cooperation with Aquanet Retention, is carrying out design work to implement a number of retention measures aimed at improving the ability of municipal forests to retain water – including in the Piatkowski Forest, Marceliński Forest, Golęcin and Strzeszyn Wildernesses. These measures, which are part of the strategy of sustainable management of natural resources, are expected to increase water retention in forest areas, which will help reduce the effects of drought, improve biodiversity and promote natural regeneration processes.

What are the biggest threats to wetlands in and around Poznań identified by the city?

Wetlands in the city are exposed to numerous threats. These include, first and foremost:

• Climate change – phenomena such as rising temperatures, reduced rainfall and more frequent heat waves are affecting the incidence of drought, especially in the capital city of Wielkopolska. This is leading to a reduction in the city’s wetlands;

• progressive urbanization, development and land reclamation – lead to a reduction in the space that can store water, an increase in the risk of flooding during periods of heavy precipitation and an increase in paved surfaces in cities (asphalt, concrete), which generates faster rainwater runoff and less retention. In response to these challenges, Poznań is taking steps to improve the situation:
  • Wetland revitalization – restoring wetlands in the city as elements of green infrastructure that improve water retention;
  • creation of green roofs and walls – introduction of vegetation on buildings, which can improve rainwater absorption. In Poznań, every year by resolutions of the Poznań City Council, grants are given to residents for tasks aimed at creating outdoor vertical gardens and green roofs in Poznań;
  • invasive plant and animal species that compete with native ones, depleting biodiversity and disrupting wetland ecosystems. In our city, for several years, in cooperation with the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Poznan, successful trapping campaigns have been carried out for the Louisiana crayfish and the striped crayfish. In addition, on July 9, 2024, the City Council adopted a resolution on agreeing on the scope of work performed for the purposes of nature protection, concerning the protection of amphibian populations in the area of the ecological use of Traszki Ratajskie – as part of the measures taken, more than 30 kg of fish were caught from both ponds, including an extremely invasive species of Amur Chestnut. Knotweed and hogweed are also systematically removed from the site and other locations in Poznań.

Has wetland drainage occurred in Poznań in recent years as part of infrastructure investments? If so, does the city take compensatory measures?

On December 29, 2022. An Ordinance of the Mayor of the City of Poznań established a Team for the development of Retention Standards for the City of Poznań, and on March 20, 2024, the Mayor of the City of Poznań signed an Ordinance on the adoption of Retention Standards for the City of Poznań.

The ordinance defines a new approach to stormwater management in the city using blue-green infrastructure. It calls for a refreshed way of designing and operating solutions.

The key to proper rainwater management is:

• Designing investments with a view to minimizing the sealing of the catchment area and disturbing the local hydrological cycle as little as possible;
• designing solutions taking into account the most unfavorable conditions in relation to rainfall, the calculation of which must use appropriate safety factors. Hence, there is an emerging emphasis on sizing them based on rainfall intensities projected in the 2050 perspective;
• Proper execution and operation of infrastructure, including a significant percentage of blue-green.

The standards set forth in the order are expected to contribute to:

• Maximum retention and management of rainwater on site within the city;
• treating water as a valuable resource for sustaining biological life, improving the quality of life for residents and protecting natural habitats;
• Ensure the ongoing operation of a sustainable rainwater management system;
• mitigating the negative effects of urbanization and excessive surface sealing, as well as adapting urban spaces to climate change.

An electronic version of the document is available in the register of ordinances in the BIP.

Does Poznań obtain EU or national funds for the protection and revitalization of wetlands? What support programs have been used in recent years?

In 2024. The Climate and Environment Department of Poznan City Hall has joined the project Restoring urban streams to promote Biodiversity, Climate adaptation and to improve quality of life in cities (ReBioClim; Renaturalization of urban streams as support for enhancing biodiversity, climate adaptation and to improve quality of life in cities) in the call of the Interreg Central Europe 2021-2027 program with co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund.

The project started on June 1, 2024, and will last for 32 months, i.e. until January 31, 2027. Poznań’s planned budget for the project is €26,612, or €116,000. PLN. ReBioClim is subsidized by the Interreg Central Europe program and reimbursement will be 80 percent. The city’s own funds for this purpose are about 23 thousand. PLN. Partners in the project are the City of Poznań, the University of Life Sciences in Poznań and Aquanet Retention Sp. z o.o., in addition to municipal units, universities and water and sewage companies in Dresden, Jablonec nad Nisou and Senica.

The ReBioClim project focuses on the issue of urban stream restoration using nature-based solutions (NBS). Twelve partners will seek to improve the quality of the natural environment, including water, in urban spaces, while enhancing biodiversity, identifying challenges and meeting the provisions of the Water Framework Directive.

In addition, the project will identify and analyze current urban challenges and opportunities in collaboration with stakeholder groups with different perspectives. The program will enable international cooperation that aims to create trust-based collaboration across borders. It will also allow for the exchange of valuable knowledge and good practices in environmental protection and sustainable development. The main milestone is the development of guidelines and best practices for the restoration of small urban streams based on the selection of urban design principles with environmental protection and sustainability in mind.

On October 17, 2024, as part of a grant from the Provincial Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Poznan to support the implementation of projects in the field of environmental education in 2024, the city organized the third edition of the Climate and Environment Conference.

In addition, the Poznañ Forestry Department has obtained funding from the Provincial Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Poznañ for retention activities in the buffer zone of the Żurawiniec Nature Reserve, and in cooperation with Aquanet Retention plans to obtain external funding for the implementation of the Small Forest Retention Program (WFOŚiGW/FEnIX).

Do residents have access to maps or information about the location of wetlands in Poznan and their ecological importance?

According to the definition approved by the Ramsar Convention, wetlands are areas of swamps, marshes and peat bogs or bodies of water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or periodic, with standing or flowing, fresh, brackish or saline waters (including marine waters whose depth́ at low tide does not exceed 6 meters). Currently, Poznań does not have publicly available maps indicating the location of wetlands in the city. Nevertheless, information on the location of wetlands can be inferred based on the Atlas of amphibians of Poznań – a tool for effective species protection – Stage II (Study made with funds from the Department of Environmental Protection of the Poznań City Hall.

Collective work, ed. Kaczmarski M., Pędziwiatr K., Kaczmarek J., Konieczna P. Club of Naturalists Poznań Circle, Poznań 2014). The document is currently being updated as part of an agreement between the Poznań City Hall and the Poznań University of Life Sciences on cooperation for the preparation of a study entitled: Atlas of Poznań Amphibians – updating the database to support the process of managing ecosystem services within the green-blue infrastructure.

Information on the location of wetlands in the city can be found on publicly available platforms, such as the Spatial Information System of the City of Poznań, the Central Register of Nature Protection Forms, as well as on the General Directorate for Environmental Protection’s GeoService maps and the Hydrogeological Map.

The Hydrogeological Map was produced by the National Geological Institute on behalf of the Ministry of the Environment with funds from the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management. It shows, among other things.: topographic watersheds, surface waters, including natural or artificial water reservoirs, overgrown water bodies, permanent and periodic wetlands, permanent and periodic watercourses – natural or artificial, rapids, waterfalls, water-logged areas, as well as water management phenomena and facilities such as breeding ponds, fire, retention, sports and recreation reservoirs, dikes, canals, dams, flood control embankments, water dams, polders and many others.

What steps is the city taking to curb the spread of myths about wetlands (e.g., that they are useless swamps that should be drained)?

The Poznań City Hall is widely educating children, young people and adults on nature conservation, including wetlands and wetlands under legal protection, i.e. ecological land. Every year, nature walks are carried out in the grasslands, bringing hundreds of children and young people closer to the issues of nature conservation and species protection associated with wetlands, such as the Warta River, Traszki Ratajskie ecological land, wetlands in Bogdanka I, Bogdanka II or Dębina I and Dębina II ecological land.

By organizing a number of educational and cultural events, the Authority is exploring residents’ interest in topics related to nature conservation, especially wetlands. An increase in the number of participants in the walks was observed between 2022 and 2023. The Climate and Environment Department plans to continue its activities. A walk to celebrate World Wetlands Day 2025 is scheduled for the end of February.

The City of Poznań’s website provides up-to-date information on the protection and importance of wetlands.

In 2024. The city organized the third edition of the Climate and Environment Conference, during which representatives of science, municipal entities and practitioners shared their knowledge and experience. It was dedicated to ecology, biodiversity and the potential of wetlands for climate change adaptation and water conservation. In addition, the conference aims to promote the protection and wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands, according to the slogan Wetlands and people: intertwined destinies.

The conference was aimed at supplementing and expanding the knowledge of ecology and the potential that lies in marshes, wetlands, reed beds, alders and riparian areas. It was also an encouragement to adopt an attitude of responsibility for the current and future state of wetlands and to integrate scientific units, NGOs and local governments into environmental activities. About 200 people attended the conference in person and online.

On February 3-5, 2025, the second edition of the Pact for Wetlands conference was held in Poznań to discuss the key role that wetlands play in biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and maintenance of ecosystem services. It was organized by Adam Mickiewicz University and Poznan University of Life Sciences in partnership with the Wetlands Protection Center and under the honorary patronage of, among others, the Mayor of Poznan.

pic. main: Poznan City Hall