Asset Publisher Asset Publisher

The State Forests National Forest Holding

The State Forests National Forest Holding is the largest organisation in the European Union managing forests, which belong to the State Treasury and celebrating its 90 anniversary this year.

Presently, we manage the area of one third of Poland's territory. Not long after the end of the Second World War, there was only 21 % of the area. Every year we plant 500 million of new trees, as we want Polish forests grow all the time.

Every year Polish foresters plant 500 million of trees.

85 % of nature reserves in Poland are located within the State Forests. 40 % of the forests managed by General Directorate of the State Forests are protected within the framework of European network Natura 2000. We fight against many threats: natural disasters, plaques of insects, trees' diseases, fires, pollutions, as well as poaching and vandalism.

Dbamy, by gospodarka leśna, dostarczająca na rynek drewno, surowiec uniwersalny i ekologiczny, prowadzona była zgodnie z zasadami zrównoważonego rozwoju (fot. P. Fabijański)

We take care the forestry supplying the market with timber, as ecological and universal material, to be carried on in accordance with rules of balanced development (photography P.Fabjański).

One of our major tasks is making forests accessible to the society. We invite you to take advantage of these beautifully located within the forest wilderness holiday resorts, forester's lodges or guest rooms. That is for you, we create thousand kilometres of hiking trails, cycling paths or camping sites. All the above mentioned, you can find in service www.czaswlas.pl.

We also take care the forestry supplying the market with timber, as ecological and universal material, to be carried on in accordance with rules of balanced development. We obtain over 30 million of cubic meters of wood annually, twice as much as at the beginning of the nineties of the XX century.

Despite of this, the average of wood abundance per hectare of our forests is one fourth bigger than 20 years ago and 40% bigger than the average of European Union currently amounts.

In Poland in sectors connected with the forestry, there work about 375 thousand of people. It means that each 40 working Pole works in the forest.

In Poland in sectors connected with the forestry, there work about 375 thousand of people. It means that each 40 working Pole works in the forest. The sector of wood processing works out approximately 8 % of our GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Among others, thanks to the timber from the State Forests Poland is the 10 largest producer of furniture in the world, and the 4 largest furniture exporter.

The State Forests employ 25 thousand people. That way we are the 9 biggest employer in Poland. Among the largest companies in our country it takes 22 place in respect of its incomes and 11 place in respect of its profits. The value of assets, we manage, reaches 300 million zl. If we add social values, it will be worth one billion zlotych. We do not use money from the budget, but we earn money on our own to support the business. In spite of the financial crisis, since 2002, we continuously note down profits. Moreover, we pay taxes amounting 1,3 billion zl annually.

87 % of Poles think, the foresters are competent. We willingly share our knowledge of Polish forests, of their history and of nature values with the others. We publish books, periodicals, brochures; we also administer the website www.lasy.gov.pl . For children, the youth and teachers, we prepared internet service "E-lynx' Lynx Forest" (www.erys.pl). Our staff has supported schools in field of nature education for years. We also organise many actions to let people broaden their knowledge about forest, nature and ecology.


Asset Publisher Asset Publisher

Back

Educational sites

Educational sites

Szprotawa Forest District can boast a variety of plant and animal species as well as many nature parks. Special educational sites have been designed to enable closer examination of this abundance and better understanding of the surrounding natural environment.

Szprotawa Forest District includes the following educational sites:

"Szlak Popielicy" (Edible Dormouse Trail) Educational Trail is located within "Buczyna Szprotawska" (The Beech Wood of Szprotawa) Nature Reserve where not only precious flora and fauna species, but also historic monuments and places of cultural interest can be admired. The places include a wooden shelter from 19th century, burial mounds dedicated to the late foresters and a stone signpost. Tourists who walk along the trail can admire old highland and lowland beech woods and come across one of the endangered species – Edible Dormouse.

There are 10 educational stops along the trail:

  • Start of the trail – young pine stand created by planting.
  • Fallen spruce stump.
  • Hay rack and salt-lick for deer.
  • Shady spruce forest.
  • Linden tree stand.
  • Canker on a 160-year-old beech.
  • "Alternation of generations" – natural restocking.
  • Commemorative burial mound from 19th century dedicated to a German Forest Inspector who managed town forests of Szprotawa.
  • Shelter – located next to a clump of monumental Larch, Weymouth Pine, Scots Pine and Beech trees. A burial mound from 19th century at the back, a commemorative stone founded on 50th anniversary of Polish forestry on the right side of the road.
  • Ancient forest with 160 to 190-year-old Beech trees.

The trail is about 2.2 km long.

Educational trail located within "Annabrzeskie Wąwozy" (Annabrzeskie Ravines) Nature Reserve is located in Małomice Sub-district and starts in the car park by the road from Zielona Góra to Wrocław.

Szprotawa Forest District has a number of dedicated stopping places for tourists walking along tourist and educational trails. They are located within "Buczyna Szprotawska" Nature Reserve and "Łabędzie Stawy" Area of Protected Ecology.

The Forest District runs its own nursery farm located in Krzywczyce, where lessons on origins of forests are held.
Other objects are also used for educational purposes. They include "Park Słowiański" (Slavic Park) Tourist and Educational Trail and "Wzgórza Bunkrowe" (Bunker Hills) Nature Sanctuary in Wiechlice.

"Park Słowiański" Trail is 6 km long and includes 21 educational stops, such as: Bóbr River; What is a natural monument?; Whip Alley; Wood Canker; The Castle of Chrobry; New Generation; Morphology of Graft Union; Temperate Deciduous Forest; Cavity-Nesting Birds; Polish "Liana" – Ivy; Old River Bed of Bóbr; Polish "Mangroves" – Willow Thickets; "Chorwackie" Quagmire; Forest on Water; What is land reclamation?; Bóbr Urstromtal; "Lagry" – curiosities of nature; Three worlds – field, meadow, forest; Ecological succession; Hunting – hay rack, salt-lick; Shady spruce forest and Heap of fallen Linden trees.

Educational sites are very popular with tourists who visit the District. By Jerzy Wilanowski

Tourists can enjoy a bonfire on a glade at the end of the trail. Guided tours are available upon request.
In the vicinity of over 750-year-old "Chrobry", the oldest Oak in Poland, visitors can enjoy tourist infrastructure that encourages them to learn more about this unique natural monument.

Learn more about "Chrobry".