NATURALIST CLUB

PL-66-200 Świebodzin, ul. 1 Maja 22,POLAND
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bank account: BZ WBK SA I O/Świebodzin 57 10901593 0000 0000 5901 5348
email: lkp@lkp.org.pl


WWF PROJECT 'GREEN BELT ODRA - NYSA'

After World War II, the Polish-German border region was not under particularly strong economic pressure, proving favourable for the maintenance of many interesting natural areas. Classic examples include the lower Odra and Warta river valleys as well as the valleys of Pliszka and Ilanka rivers.

Political changes in Central and Eastern Europe began certain processes in the border region which, from an ecological point of view, raised cause for concern. Quite frequently, regional and economic planning was carried out without proper regard for the environment or was based on outdated data. At the same time disproportionate availability of money for research to support the goal of sustainable development caused considerable differences in recognising natural merits on opposite sides of the Polish-German border. As a result, Germany's knowledge of the local environment and conservation efforts were more advanced than Poland's. Although there are many possibilities for economic growth in border regions, joint planning in nature conservation has always been difficult rare. For these reasons, the WWF Project 'Green Belt Odra-Nysa' was developed.

The Polish participation in the project involves a band of 33 communities (gminy), two communities wide, from Cedynia to Bogatynia along the Polish-German border in the provinces of Szczecin (communities of Cedynia, Moryń, Mieszkowice), Gorzów (communities of Bloeszkowice, Dębno, Górzyca, Kostrzyn, Ośno, Rzepin, Słońsk, Słubice, Witnica), Zielona Góra (communities of Bobrowice, Brody, Cybinka, Gozdnica, Gubin, Krosno Odrzańskie, Lipinki Łużyckie, Lubsko, Łęknica, Mszewo, Przewóz, Torzym, Trzebiel, Tuplice, Wymiarki) and Jelenia Góra (communities: Pieńsk, Węgliniec, Zgorzelec, Bogatynia, Sulików, Zawidów). German participation also envelopes a belt 20-30 km wide on the opposite side of the border from Poland.

Due to the different rates in the project's advancement, it's emphasis appears assymetrical with the bulk of work currently focused on the Polish side. In order to establish and stabilize cross-border cooperation in environmental protection, knowledge on the state of the environment on the Polish side of the border must become equal with that of the German side.

One of the priorities of the 'Green Belt' project is protection of the disappearing meadow ecosystems in the river valleys and their vicinity. Activities undertaken in the valleys of Odra and Warta include active conservation aimed at preserving the richness of endangered ecosystems for future generations.