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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.


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EDUCATIONAL OBJECTS

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTS

Gubin Forest District runs an array of activities connected with forest education.

For educational purposes, the Forest District uses field structures such as:

●     forest and education trail in Dzikowo,

●     mini-arboretum habitat at the headquarters of the Forest District,

●     forest nursery,

●     Eco Education Building "Sosna Gubińska" (Gubin Pine),

●     selection and seed production objects of "Sosna Gubińska"

 

Eco Education Building "Sosna Gubińska" in Dzikowo

Eco Education Building "Sosna Gubińska" is a perfect place for exploration of knowledge of forest and nature. The lecture hall is equipped not only with traditional didactic help such as books, magazines, display cabinets with materials on forest management, pictures, and photographs, but also one of the most innovative audiovisual equipments - an interactive touch screen monitor. The 70'' board allows for screening of films with active participation of the audience. Custom software for nature education gives the opportunity to perform interactive tasks, activating more senses in the learning process of students attending such interactive lessons.  Thanks to that learning becomes more effective and at the same time brings a lot of fun.  Furthermore, the surrounding area of "Sosna Gubińska" is great for field classes - there is a forest and education trail "Dzikowo" and a bonfire spot nearby.

 

Forest and education trail "Dzikowo"

Forest and education trail "Dzikowo" begins and ends in the village of Dzikowo, 8 kilometres from Gubin. In total, the trail encompasses 22 themed stops equipped with numerous educational boards and exhibits.

The trail begins at the "Leśne przedszkole" (Forest kindergarten) stop, where a symbolic oak has been planted. The next is the "Mrówki w lesie" (Ants in the forest) stop, followed by "Ochrona lasu przed szkodliwymi owadami" (Protecting the forest against harmful insects). It is at this spot that one can learn about the pests living in the forests of the Gubin Forest District. Further, the route leads to "Słupek oddziałowy" (Marker post) and to "Krajobraz po huraganie" (Landscape after a hurricane), where on 8 July 2004 a powerful hurricane caused disastrous damages to the forests of the Forest District. The next stops are: "Ptasi budzik" (Bird alarm clock), "Plantacja choinkowa" (Christmas tree plantation), "Piętrowa budowa lasu" (The layers of the forest) and "Ochrona pożytecznej fauny" (Protection of useful fauna). The stop no. 10 is called "System ochrony przeciwpożarowej" (Fire protection system) because of the 36-metre high forest fire lookout located there. The tower is an important element of protection of the forest areas against fires.  The next stop on the trail contains information on flora and fauna of the area. The last stop is dedicated to the soldiers who had died in the times of war. At this spot, one can see a boulder form the times of WWI and right next to it an old oak with the status of a natural monument.