First practical work in Poland, refurbishing damaged dams for water retention.
The expansive Białowieża forest is one of the last and largest lowland, mixed-broadleaf, virgin forests in Europe. Massive patches of old-growth forest and flooded forest cover the area, scattered with symbolic, giant, ancient oak trees. Spanning two countries, the forest is protected as a national park on both sides of the border, with the larger part, Bielaviežskaja Pušča, in Belarus and the smaller, Białowieża Forest, in Poland. The ecosystem is also physically divided by the border fence separating the two countries.
The protected areas, as well as several high-value mires and bogs in their periphery, are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the 19th and 20th Centuries, many wetlands in the area were drained and several rivers straightened, which hugely influenced the status of the ecosystem. Water storage function was lost and the groundwater level significantly dropped with damaging knock-on effects on dominant native tree species such as oak, spruce, pine, and linden.
Quick Facts
- Project: Bialowieza Forest Conservation Program
- Project size: 630 km² (Polish part), 1 418,85 km² (in total)
- Project leader: Monika Kotulak
- Project start: 2012 (in Belarus), 2019 (in Poland)
- Bialowieza Forest
- Conservation Activities
- Milestones
- Partners
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Many of the conservation challenges and threats to the Białowieża ecosystem stem from anthropogenic changes to the area’s hydrology. Since 2012, FZS’s focus in the area, together with our partners in Poland and Belarus, has been to restore historical water levels. This is achieved by ‘re-meandering’ straightened rivers and blocking non-natural drainage channels. Restoring the natural hydrological regime is of key importance for the ecological functionality of the forest.
So far, we have restored roughly four kilometers of the Salomienka river and 3,200 hectares of drained wetlands in the area. In 2019 we started cooperation with Polish stakeholders: national park, forestry agency, and NGOs on joint restoration efforts. In 2021 we have developed a vision for restoring hydrology of the Bialowieza Forest as a whole, transboundary area. Our work in Belarus was halted in 2022, but the implementation of plans developed in the partnership with the nationalpark started in 2025. Since 2023 we are working on the ground in Poland, starting small and preparing for larger restoration. In 2023 and 2024 we have refurbished 24 damaged dams that now can again retain water in the forest.
FZS and partners organize workshops and open lectures targeted at national park staff and other interested members of the community. These outreach events are focused on specific topics on nature conservation. The Bielaviežskaja Pušča National Park in Belarus, with support from FZS, also organized open, themed events such as wolf night, bat night, biodiversity day, and wetlands day. These events drawn people to the area and included a series of activities such as workshops, excursions, and games to raise awareness of conservation issues and the park’s wildlife and nature.
In Poland we held several discussions and show an exhibition using infographics explaining the importance of water for the forest habitats. Moreover, we initiated several debates with land managers and other important stakeholders on scaling up restoration work.
Feasibility studies are conducted prior to our restoration work; while hydrology and biodiversity at these sites are monitored before, during, and after restoration. We also monitored key species like badgers, bats, wolves, lynx, and birds in the Belarusian part, using camera traps, telemetry, acoustic recorders, and other up-to-date methods and equipment. We carried out this work to better understand the value of the forest, build the capacity of national park staff, and raise general awareness of the value of wild nature and wetland restoration.
2023
End of our work in Belarus.
2022
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.
2021
Beginning of cooperation with Polish Białowieża stakeholders.
2019
330 ha of Dzikoe mire rewetted to create a buffer zone with agricultural lands and 4 km of Salomienka river in Belarus restored to its historical meanders.
2019
Restoration of the first 1,200 ha of the formerly drained Dziki Nikar mire in the Belarusian part of the park.
2016
First joint biodiversity research and monitoring launched including camera trapping, and research on forest-dwelling bats.
2013
Expansion of core zone of the Bielaviežskaja Pušča National Park in Belarus from roughly 30,000 ha to 60,000 ha.
2012
Start of FZS cooperation with APB – Birdlife, Belarus in and around Bielaviežskaja Pušča National Park.
2012
Expansion of the national park on the Belarusian side where it is known as the Bielaviežskaja Pušča National Park.
1991
Białowieża Forest, both in Poland and Belarus, declare a cross-border UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.
1979
Designation of Białowieża Forest as a national park on the Polish side of the border.
1923
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Successful conservation is always the result of great teamwork. We collaborate with local communities, national authorities, and conservation organizations. Our partners make our conservation work possible.
“Unknown to most of the world, Bialowieza Forest is a true gem amongst national parks. It is the last primeval forest in Europe. The true magic of wild nature captivates everyone who ventures to discover its beauty.”