Best Practices in Natura 2000 Management – Poland

CEEweb for Biodiversity Kuruclesi út 11/a, 1021 Budapest, Hungary Phone: +36 1 398 0135 Fax: +36 1 398 0136 [email protected] www.ceeweb.org

Best practices in Natura 2000 management – Poland

Sustainable Development in the Barycz River Valley

Country/Region/Town: Poland / Lower-Silesian Province / Barycz Valley Natura 2000 site(s) code (if relevant): PLB020001 Name/organisation of person collecting the info: Monika Kotulak The Academic Section of the Polish Country-Lovers' Association in Krakow Oddzial Akademicki Polskiego Towarzystwa Turystyczno Krajoznawczego w Krakowie Krakow Ul. Radziwillowska 21/4, 31-026 [email protected] http://oakrakow.pttk.pl +48 12 422 7003

What is/was the management problem?

The Barycz River valley is a wetland of highest conservation importance. The river Barycz together with a complex of large and small fish-ponds (130 fish-ponds in total) create a paradise for birds, other wild animals and plants. Its importance is acknowledged by many conservation designations and projects; e.g. it is covered by the United Nations program “Living Lakes” 1.i The site is also protected by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, and it is classified as Important Bird Area of international importance E54. Eight bird species from the Polish Red Book occur in the area but many other bird species migrate or rest here. Bird species listed on Annex I of European Council directive 79/409/EEC include : Botaurus stellaris, Ixobrychus minutus, Ciconia nigra, Ciconia ciconia, Cygnus Cygnus, Aythya nyroca, Milvus migrans, Milvus Milvus, Haliaeetus albicilla, Circus aeruginosus, Porzana

1 The United Nations “Living Lakes” program started 1998, when there were hardly any opportunities for environmental organisations focused on lake protection and conservation to come together and discuss problems, experiences and transferable solutions. In 2008 the programme covered 52 lakes of special environmental importance. Among others Lake Baikal (RUS), the Dead Sea (Near East), the Pantanal (Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia), Mono Lake (CA, USA) are “members” of the network. Living Lakes is also a partnership of NGOs who care for lakes, and want to work according to Agenda 21 and the principles of sustainable development.

CEEweb for Biodiversity is a network of non-governmental organizations in the Central and Eastern European region. Our mission is the conservation of biodiversity through the promotion of sustainable development.

CEEweb for Biodiversity Kuruclesi út 11/a, 1021 Budapest, Hungary Phone: +36 1 398 0135 Fax: +36 1 398 0136 [email protected] www.ceeweb.org porzana, Porzana parva, Crex crex, Grus grus, Philomachus pugnax, Sterna hirundo, Chlidonias hybridus, Chlidonias niger, Alcedo atthis, Picus canus.

The conservation values of Barycz Valley are threatened by the abandonment of land, which is a result of the tendencies in rural development (e.g. decreasing and ageing rural population, dying local culture, rural impoverishment, unemployment). On the other hand the intensification of agriculture also causes conservation problems. The main problems are:

• A special problem in the Barycz Valley is the privatization of natural waters and the establishment of intensive fish-breeding ponds. If lakes are privatised, the new owners might not pay due attention to the conservation issues, which might cause conflicts under the Birds Directive or the Ramsar Convention.

• Tourism also causes problems. The development of this sector in the last ten years resulted in destruction and degradation of valuable areas. Tourism infrastructure encroaches into critical habitats. Stakeholders now agree that rather than halting the growth of the tourism sector, there is a great potential for integrating biodiversity concerns into the growth of the sector.

• Water pollution caused by agrochemicals used by farmers, sewage from industry and settlements, illegal waste dumping near the river.

• Abandonment of ponds and meadows. Meadows are overgrown by bushes and later by forest because grazing stopped. The result is the loss of habitats, animals and plants that need open, wet and low nutrient habitats. It is hard to establish a good management system for the many little lakes scattered over the area. In general the drainage of wetlands and wet meadows results in a lower quality of feeding and breeding grounds.

The co-operation among local governments was also lacking in the region before the project started. The establishment of cooperation among local communities was necessary to ensure a sustainable development of the region, including conservation activities but also other related activities, such as informing farmers, control of fishing, etc.

Who are the main stakeholders/affected groups, people in this case?

CEEweb for Biodiversity Kuruclesi út 11/a, 1021 Budapest, Hungary Phone: +36 1 398 0135 Fax: +36 1 398 0136 [email protected] www.ceeweb.org

• Foundation of Barycz Valley (Fundacja Eko-rozwoju Doliny Baryczy). The goal of the Foundation for Eco-development is to enhance sustainable farming and regional economic development, as well as nature protection. • Lower Silesian Foundation for Sustainable Development, which participates in the elaboration and implementation of nature-friendly tourism; shares field best practices in environmentally friendly agriculture and utilization of biomass as biofuel; • Foundation “Green Action” (Foundation “Zielona Akcja”), which elaborates and implements a program on water-friendly solid waste management; • Agro-tourism associations and the ecological farmers association “EKOLAND”, which participates in the development of an agro-tourism farm network and co-operates in the creation and promotion of the “Barycz River Valley” brand name. • The Ministry of Environment provides legal and organizational support for the elaboration of the Landscape Park Protection Plan and the enlargement of the Lower Barycz Valley Park. • The Ministry of Agriculture provides legal and organizational support for the implementation of the agro-environmental program in the territory of the Barycz River Valley within the framework of National Agro-Environmental Program. The Ministry also participates in the project development and monitoring via its representative in the project Steering Committee. • Voivodship 2 Nature Conservation Administration. It represents the Voivodship in the implementation of the Strategy for the Sustainable Development of Barycz River Valley and participates in the development of the Landscape Park Protection Plan, which must be approved by the Voivode. It also participates in the project development and monitoring via its representative in the project Steering Committee. • Lower Silesian Landscape Parks Administration (LSLPA) and Great Poland Landscape Parks Administration (GPLPA). Both entities participate in the implementation of the Strategy for the Sustainable Development of Barycz River Valley and are part of the Project Steering Committee. The LSLPA and GPLPA are legally responsible for the definition and implementation of Landscape Park Protection Plans and are key partners in the replication of best lessons learned to other riverine valleys in Poland.

2 Name of Polish counties.

CEEweb for Biodiversity Kuruclesi út 11/a, 1021 Budapest, Hungary Phone: +36 1 398 0135 Fax: +36 1 398 0136 [email protected] www.ceeweb.org

• State Enterprise “Stawy Milickie” (Milicz Ponds). It participates in planning and implementation of all project activities for nature-friendly fish farming implemented in the territory of the “Stawy Milickie” (Milicz Ponds) reserve. • Individual farmers. They participate in the implementation of alternative management methods for meadows and pastures important for nature conservation and the application of the Agricultural Best Practices Guide (e.g. construction of manure- containers, household wastewater treatment facilities, etc). They also participate in the development and promotion of the Barycz Valley brand name.

What solution(s) were found? How was the problem solved?

With the leadership of the Lower-Silesian Foundation of Eco-development and Polish Nature Friends Society pro Natura eight communes joined forces and created the Local Action Group. The Group worked out an Integrated Strategy of Rural Development for the Barycz Valley. All activities were planned in consideration of water protection and rehabilitation of the river valley. The project was financed through the European Union LEADER+ Programme. The integrated project had different goals, e.g.:

• Development of rural regions,

• Mobilisation of local government and people,

• Development of various forms of tourism,

• Spreading information about the values and possibilities in the region,

• Improving quality of local products,

• Nature protection, ecological education.

First, the Local Action Group (which later became the Barycz Valley Foundation) was established and the Integrated Strategy for Rural Development was elaborated. The following activities were carried out by the Foundation:

• Organization of trainings and workshops, festivals and exhibitions about values of Barycz Valley and Natura 2000 in general. Trainings were also organised for local people who wanted to start tourism activities.

CEEweb for Biodiversity Kuruclesi út 11/a, 1021 Budapest, Hungary Phone: +36 1 398 0135 Fax: +36 1 398 0136 [email protected] www.ceeweb.org

• Consultations about planned investments in region with local people and investors. • Tourist traffic monitoring. • Printing posters, brochure, designed website to promote the region. • Creation of a horse trail and organization of a periodic horse rally. Creation of bicycle and kayak trails. Building of special shelters and towers for bird watching. • Inventory of bird habitats, reconstruction of habitats.

Why do you think it is a best practice example?

This is a good example because local resources (communities, natural resources, local knowledge) were used as a basis for long term development of the region. The development is now wisely utilizing the great natural values, which are a condition and an opportunity at the same time. The region cannot establish for example big factories because of the Natura 2000 designation, so they have to find other ways of creating income.

Local people and communities started to think about the values of the region and why it is important for them to protect the environment. It was also showed to them, which benefits they can have from these values (e.g. increased tourism and better infrastructure connected with tourism). This is also why local governments joined the efforts of conservationists – because both sides mutually benefited. As a result local communities joined forces and decided to start tourism activities and local products, which connect nature conservation with income creation. The Barycz Valley project is also a best practice example of how to motivate local people to work together.

Also, as a result the quality of local products improved and Barycz Valley became more famous. Tourism is increasing, local products are certified and the region is promoted. The awareness of local people about eco-tourism and Natura 2000 has increased. After the finalization of the project the Foundation of Barycz Valley was created, which ensures that the regional development will continue. The Foundation is still active in nature conservation, tourism and rural development: they organize festivals and trainings and help social initiatives with funding, organization of work and consulting.

Further information

CEEweb for Biodiversity Kuruclesi út 11/a, 1021 Budapest, Hungary Phone: +36 1 398 0135 Fax: +36 1 398 0136 [email protected] www.ceeweb.org

Mrugasiewicz A., Witkowski J. 1962. An ornithological sketch of the Barycz valley in Poland. British Birds 55: 245-272. BirdLife International/European Bird Census Council. 2000. European bird populations: estimates and trends. BirdLife International, Cambridge (BirdLife Conservation Series No. 10). IN POLISH ONLY: http://www.biol.uni.wroc.pl/instzool/index.php?go=stacja_ornit_ptaki_baryczy http://www.barycz.pl/main/ http://dzialaj.barycz.pl/ Dolata P.T. 1993. Stawy Przygodzickie - zagrożenia środowiska i postulaty ochronne. 4,3: 181-192. http://europeandcis.undp.org/environment/serbia/show/3D282FD3-F203-1EE9- BDA418707859945B http://www.tff.hu/doc/TurkevePrez/Leader_Poland.pdf

Further contacts Institute of Ornithology in Gdansk; Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences In Krakow; TECHMEX SA Bielsko-Biała (GIS data statistics) Paweł Antoniewicz [email protected] Andrzej Pytel [email protected] Dorota Chmielowiec Tyszko [email protected] Beata Orłowska [email protected] Marta Borowiec [email protected] J. Witkowski, [email protected] A. Czapulak [email protected]