Poland

Central European wilderness

Poland stretches from the sandy beaches of the Baltic Sea in the north to the forested Carpathian Mountains in the south. Large roadless areas and old-growth forests – habitat for wolf, Eurasian lynx, and brown bear – can still be found in the Carpathians. In the east of the country lies the world-famous Bialowieza Forest UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the last European lowland primeval forests, which also stretches into neighboring Belarus. This transboundary forest is home to the largest free-roaming European bison population.

Nearly 20% of the country is protected by the Natura 2000 Network. The country’s wild landscapes provide key habitat for birds, including 25% of the world population of White Storks, and 25% of the remaining Aquatic Warbler. In the past, Poland held a rich mosaic of habitats resulting from traditional use, but currently, many of these landscapes are threatened by industrial development and urbanization.

Poland
Projects in Poland
Milestones
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Our focus areas in Poland

Enlargement and establishment of protected areas

Restoration and rewetting to re-establish the natural hydrological regime in the Bialowieza forest

Promoting wilderness by communicating its benefits

Supporting the East Carpathians UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve

Red deer occur widely in the Wolf Mountains, providing a good prey base for large carnivores. © Kamil Soóš / Aevis

The last remnants of Carpathian primary forest in the Polish part of the Wolf Mountains, which our projects aim to protect. © Tomasz Wilk

Herds of wild horses can be encountered in the meadows of the Wolf Mountains. © Tomasz Wilk

Ural Owl occurs in the Carpathians in Poland in mature, but not too dense beech forests. © Kamil Soóš / Aevis

Wild mountain rivers are an important part of the ecosystem and provide habitat for many species. © Tomasz Wilk

The European Bison are found in very few places in Poland, the Wolf Mountains is one of them. © Kamil Soóš / Aevis

A red deer on the edge of the Bialowieza Forest, one of the last and largest virgin lowland forests in Europe. © Daniel Rosengren

The Bialowieza forest is famous for its giant, old oak trees. © Daniel Rosengren

Magnificient views and high mountain meadows draw tourists of Bieszczady National Park.© Tomasz Wilk

Snowdrop flowers in bloom, a protected plant in Poland and usually one of the first signs of spring. © Tomasz Wilk

Meadows among forests are signs of the historical use of the area, as pastures or clear-cuts, now wildlife maintains this habitat. © Tomasz Wilk

A Black Woodpecker feeds its chicks in the Wolf Mountains. © Kamil Soóš / Aevis

Projects in Poland

Białowieża Forest

One of the last and largest lowland, mixed-broadleaf, virgin forests in Europe
Poland stretches from the sandy beaches of the Baltic Sea in the north to the forested Carpathian Mountains in the south. Large roadless areas and old-growth…
Poland
Wolf Mountains

One of Europe’s last remaining wilderness areas
Poland stretches from the sandy beaches of the Baltic Sea in the north to the forested Carpathian Mountains in the south. Large roadless areas and old-growth…
Slovakia Poland

Milestones

2026

Launch of a large-scale project to restore 25 kilometers of riverbeds along the Lutownia and Narewka rivers in Bialowieza, as well as 3,500 hectares of their catchments.

2025

Nature inventory of two areas to be proposed as nature reserves in the Wolf Mountains are completed: They cover 242 hectares. 60 species of funghi endangered in Poland have been found there.

2025

Start of work with local forestries and volunteers to close artificial drainage ditches in the Bialowieza forest.

2024

Establishment of two nature reserves in Poland “Kozie Żebro” and “Markowiec-Gródek” and enlarging the existing nature reserve ‘Zwiezło’ to over 484 ha, now named “Zwiezło w dolinie Olchowatego”. Documentation for two further proposed nature reserves “Piotruś” and “Stanków Łaz” submitted to relevant authorities.

2024

Repairs of further 17 dams are finished. They now retain more water in the forest.

2023

First practical work in the Polish part of the Białowieża forest, refurbishing damaged dams for water retention.

2021

Work begins on updating the National Park Management Plan, and to develop a cross-border hydrological plan for the Białowieża forest between Belarus and Poland.

2020

Start of cooperation with OTOP BirdLife Poland in the Wolf Mountains Program.