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Description
Krzemionki Opatowskie and Świętokrzyski National Park – both named the UNESCO World Heritage Sites – are among the most valued cultural and environmental sites of Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. Both places are currently under a serious threat from administrative decisions approving development of the dolomite mine (in case of Krzemionki) and a reduction of the National Park’s territory through a removal of the Church of St. Cross and its adjacent properties from within Park’s boundaries. Locals informed us about their concerns and the need for action. We will conduct an ecological, hydrological and legal analysis of Krzemionki Opatowskie. We will initiate a dialogue with the management of the property, the municipality, investors, and the local community. We will also conduct public hearings on the protections of this area and the proposal to build the mine, and will publish press releases on the subject. Simultaneously, we will carry out an inventory of the endangered part of the Świętokrzyski National Park to evaluate if the area lost its unique natural environment properties. On the basis of our inventory, we will compose a research report. We will train volunteers in monitoring and documenting the Park’s area and in responding to illegal activities. We will also run a social campaign on the government’s plan to change the boundaries of the Świętokrzyski National Park, formulate the position of local community on the issue, and establish communication with the proper authorities that have influence over the decisions pertaining to the Park.
Summary of project results
The Krzemionki Opatowskie and Świętokrzyski National Park UNESCO World Heritage Sites are two highly valuable natural and cultural attractions in the Świętokrzyskie province. Both were seriously threatened by administrative decisions concerning the construction of a dolomite mine (near Krzemionki) and reduced size of the Świętokrzyski Park adjoining the Holy Cross Monastery.We organised a scientific conference to publicise the threat and we informed the media about the assumptions of the project. We also informed MPs interested in this topic about the planned activities. We trained a volunteer group to monitor and document phenomena having negative impact on the Park area and to react to illegal deeds. Finally, a report summarising their work was prepared. Project activities helped us halt investments in the mine near Krzemionki Opatowskie and prevent the reduction of the Świętokrzyski National Park territory by 5 hectares. 1.3 hectares have been excluded from it recently, yet we have managed to reach an agreement and finally the territory of the Park has been enlarged by 40 hectares.We have also involved local community in this initiative, which we consider a major success. After our workshop meetings, the community and local authorities decided to establish a Culture Park protect the vicinity of Krzemionki Opatowskie, covering the site itself, too.
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