More information
Description
The aim of the project is to intervene in the protection of the Wiączyński Forest by giving it the status of an area of enhanced social function. The forest covers an area of 980 ha. It has harvested around 20,000 m3 of timber over the past 10 years. The new Forest Management Plan envisages an almost threefold increase in this figure, and there are also plans to run a High Speed Rail line through the forest. This will result in the loss of much of the old-growth forest, and a reduction in forest area of more than 40 ha. Both recreational users of the forest and those representing the scientific community see the need for immediate action to stop logging work. In April 2023, an appeal was made to the Regional Directorate of State Forests in Łódź to take action to protect the Wiączyński Forest. The scientific community emphasises the presence of valuable natural habitats included in the Natura 2000 programme (Tilio-Carpinetum betuli), the unique, primeval character of some fragments of the forest and the presence of protected and endangered species. The forest is a valuable natural and cultural heritage of the region, which has not been taken into account in the new Forest Management Plan.
Representatives of the ''Wiączyński Forest'' group met with a delegation from the Brzeziny Forest District. The result of the meeting was the withdrawal of several monumental trees from felling and the establishment of further courses of action. As part of the project, we are meeting with municipality authorities, building public support, mobilising residents to take action to protect the forest, conducting a nature inventory, and a media campaign. We will also apply to the Regional Directorate of State Forests to grant the forest the status of an area of enhanced social function.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was the interventional protection of the naturally valuable and socially important Wiączyński Forest (LW) by giving it the status of a forest with increased social function.
The situation in the Wiączyński Forest raises concerns among society and the scientific community. Intensive cutting of trees, even the oldest ones, destroys valuable fragments of the former Łódź Forest - an important element of the natural and historical heritage of Łódź. Harvesting wood from this forest, in accordance with the draft Forest Management Plan (PUL) for 2023-2032 for the Forest District
Brzeziny, is to increase almost three times compared to the PUL for 2013-2022. Additionally, running the High-Speed Railway (HSR) through the middle of the forest will degrade one of the most valuable natural features in the region.
There was a need to take immediate action to prevent further destruction of the Wiączyński Forest.
The project was intended to increase the involvement and participation of the local community in creating the common good, raise awareness and interest in nature conservation, and promote and strengthen civic attitudes.
In cooperation with a partner, as part of the project:
- we held meetings with the commune authorities on the protection of the Wiączyński Forest;
- we built public support and activated residents to protect the Wiączyński Forest (meetings with residents, petition);
- we performed 6 field studies, which are irrefutable proof of the natural and social values of the Wiączyński Forest
- we met with representatives of the State Forests (LP);
- we conducted a media campaign promoting the Wiączyński Forest;
- we submitted an application to the RDSF for granting the status of a forest with increased social function.
We collected almost 5,000 signatures under our petition "Las Wiączyński - a social forest"!
Over 100 people took part in our 3 thematic walks in the Wiączyński Forest (mycological, natural and historical).
The most important result of the project was submitting an application to the Director of the Regional Directorate of State Forests in Łódź for granting the entire Wiączyński Forest forest complex the status of a forest with increased social function and revising the Forest Management Plan for the Brzeziny Forest District for 2023-2032 and taking actions to preserve the most naturally valuable fragments of the Wiączyński Forest. and monumental and biocenotic trees.
The arguments for the application were the expert opinions prepared during the project and a petition signed by 5,000 people.
As part of the project, we planned to submit an application in cooperation with the Nowosolna commune, which was already interested in the topic. However, the strong arguments and effects of the project allowed us to go further and the Mayor of Łódź also became an applicant, which increases the chances of our application being seriously and positively considered.
After the project has been closed, as one of the applicants, we are still following the progress of the application.