Approaching the III millenium is a good time to contemplate on the past, present and particularly the future. Our society has began to perceive forests not only as a major element of the natural environment indispensable for the further existence of mankind on earth. The need to adapt forest management to the changing environmental conditions has been discussed for many years. The first projects of utilizing forests in a multipurpose way were expressed in 1982 in a resolution of the Polish Forest Society and in 1986 by the National Environmental Protection Council. Creative discussion have lead to drawing up a forest management program expressed in the National Environmental Policy and Forest Law of 1991, which provides that forest management should be based on the following objectives: 1. general protection of forest; 2. sustainable maintenance of forest and continuity of their utilization; 3. increasing forest resources. The Polish Policy of Forest Protection was implemented in 1994 and provided that the subject of Forest Protection was implemented in 1994 and provided that the subject of forest management is the forest’s entire ecosystem and not just the stock of trees, which was highly assessed by international organizations and institutions, giving our forestry a good ranking among leading countries. The next step in the process of enhancing multipurpose forestry management in Poland was the establishment of ten socalled Promotional Forest Complexes, covering ca. 7% of the area of forests in Poland. The administration of the Regional State Forest Management in Torun covers two of them: Promotional Forest Complex “Bory Tucholskie” and “Lasy Gostynsko-Wloclawskie”, covering ca. 25% of the region’s total forest area. Forest management in these complexes is focused on habitat functions, with priority for sustainable development objectives. Since the health of forest often depends on the condition and level of water, one of the major tasks includes the protection of small and forgotten water reservoirs. The transformation of our forest management towards multipurpose functions requires preparing habitats with biodiversities that will be more resistant against injurious external factors. Our society must become aware that the protection and maintenance of forest is our common task for our common interest.
Nature and forest education in the promotional forest complex „Bory Tucholskie”
The Polish Forest Management Policy also includes environmental education, therein forestry education promoting knowledge on the function of the forest ecosystem and explaining the role and place of mankind in their shaping. The Woziwoda Forest Superintendence has successfully taken the challenge of promoting knowledge on forest management among children and youth of local primary and secondary schools. This activity is also attended by numerous students from all over Poland, adults from various organizations and associations and elderly people. In order to manage environmental education it is necessary to have a teaching infrastructure. The Woziwoda Superintendence has specially prepared educational facilities for this purpose: 1. “Classroom under the Oak” – a meeting point/monument of nature where discussions on nature can be held in the shades of an aged oak. A place particularly attractive for young children. 2. Forest trail – presenting the most interesting nature-forest information on signs along the trail – prepared for individual interests or guided tours. 3. Sport and recreation trail – providing for active relaxation in a forest environment. 4. Nature reserves as areas of educational training. Usually utilized for narrow and specific educational purposes (realization of secondary school curriculum in the field of botany, environmental protection) 5. Campsites and ecological workshops – often organized during the summer. 6. Nature-Forest Education Center, featuring: - location within the forest, in terms of architecture based on regional constructions traditions; - meeting place for professionals and learning groups; - exhibition of all forest habitats - cooperation with primary and secondary schools.
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Promotional
forest complex – a new or different forestry?
