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Description
Our experience and observations show that the number of comprehensive initiatives aiming at protecting National Parks in Poland and optimising their functioning is insufficient. The current legal system prevents the creation of new Parks and expansion of the existing ones, while Parks as such are constantly underfinanced. High positions happen to be filled with people lacking necessary knowledge about the natural environment but having the ‘right’ political connections. We can see that the functioning of National Parks often generates negative reactions among local governments, foresters and hunters, even though most Poles approve of activities supporting National Parks (according to an opinion poll conducted by Kantar Public in 2018, 84% of respondents supported the extension of the National Park to the entire Białowieska forest). At the same time, however, there are no initiatives building communication between various stakeholder groups and addressing the existing conflicts. We will address these problems by organising two workshop cycles with a mediator for the representatives of both National Parks and local authorities in 5 locations in Poland in which the topic of National Parks is most controversial. During these workshops we will gather participants’ demands and will work on possible changes in the functioning of National Parks. We will hold a survey and consultation meetings among current and former National Park employees to discuss their fears, expectations and proposed changes. We will also invite trade unions to join the consultations. We will organise a social campaign on problems and opportunities related to the functioning of protected areas. We will create a white book of proposed changes in legal regulations and will present it during a conference attended by invited politicians, representatives of local governments, National Parks, the world of science and media.
Summary of project results
The project was a response to social challenges related to nature protection and a reaction to the long-standing neglect of national parks by successive governing teams. The result of this neglect was a lowering of the prestige of national parks, which were no longer seen as priority areas for the protection of Poland''s biodiversity and landscape.
One reason for this difficult situation was the lack of support and understanding on the part of local authorities, who often treated national parks as a necessary evil, imposed on them from above. This attitude led to the marginalisation of national parks and hindered effective management of these areas. We wanted to change this attitude by initiating a public debate and putting the subject of national parks on the political agenda, especially in the context of election campaigns at local and national government level.
Our aim was also to address the problem of difficult working conditions in national parks. Surveys of current and former national park employees revealed the difficulties faced by employees, such as lack of adequate financial support, inadequate equipment and organisational problems. We wanted to publicise this issue in the hope that this would draw the attention of decision-makers to the need to improve working conditions.
As part of the project, we carried out a series of workshops that included five meetings for representatives of national parks and five for representatives of local authorities. These workshops were aimed at identifying the main problems and potential solutions for the functioning of national parks.
We also carried out surveys of current and former employees of national parks, which provided us with valuable information about their experiences and problems related to working in these institutions. The results of the surveys served as a basis for further analysis and the formulation of recommendations.
Another important element of the project was the consultation meetings. We held ten online meetings with former national park directors and staff and one meeting with national park staff trade unions. These consultations allowed us to hear different perspectives and gather opinions on the functioning and future of the national parks.
The most important activity of the project was the ''White Paper'' - a document containing proposed legislative changes and a package of legislative initiatives to improve the management system of national parks. We distributed the publication to politicians and decision-makers related to nature conservation.
In parallel to the White Paper, we have developed a publication entitled "The White Paper. "Proposal for supplementing the network of Polish national parks", which contained concrete proposals for the establishment of new national parks in Poland. This publication presented an analysis of potential locations for new national parks, including lesser-known sites such as the Bukowa Forest near Szczecin and the Borecka Forest.
As part of the information and promotion campaign, we produced five films about selected national parks and the planned Turnicki National Park, presenting the situation of national parks from the perspective of employees, local residents and experts. We also launched an online petition system to gather support for changes in the management of national parks.
The project culminated in a wrap-up conference, which provided an opportunity to showcase the results of the project and establish collaboration between different stakeholder groups.
The project''s audience groups included a broad spectrum of institutions, organisations and individuals interested in nature conservation. Direct audiences included representatives of local authorities at various levels, the ministry, politicians, current and former employees and directors of national parks. At the same time, in a sense, our audience was the whole society using environmental and nature resources, including visitors to the national parks, was the target group of our project.
As a result of our activities, national parks have become an important topic of public debate, which has consequently prompted action for their more resilient functioning. Through our actions, we have enabled the needs and concerns of existing parks and proposed changes to be heard, opening up space for diverse voices and leading to solutions that address the needs of key stakeholders.
We were able to develop a project for a systemic change in the functioning of national parks, publicise their current situation and initiate cyclical round table meetings on the enlargement of existing and the creation of new national parks.
Through a communication campaign in social and traditional media and a conference to conclude the project, we were able to reach a wide audience and engage the public in a discussion about national parks.