• March 18, 2026

Conservation actions completed in the project area in Poland

In February 2026, Polish Society for the Protection of Birds completed the implementation of active conservation measures within the LIFE MultiPeat project area - Torfowiska Orawsko-Nowotarskie, in southern Poland. 

 

The bulk of the work was carried out the previous year – from October 2024 to February 2025, when 151 dams were installed to block water outflow from the drainage ditches at three raised bog domes in the area (see this this article). Additionally in 2025, on the area of 5 ha, Scots pine were removed, as they were crowding out the natural bog vegetation. 

This winter, the active conservation measures continued to ensure comprehensive protection of the bogs. Between December 2025 and February 2026, 12 additional dams were installed, and 14 were extended to ensure more effective water retention. Scots pine trees were also removed from an additional raised bog dome on the area of 2,5 ha. Importantly, all work was carried out manually or using a very light vehicle, so as not to damage the structure and vegetation of the peatlands. The implemented measures substantially improved the water levels and vegetation structure of the previously drained and overgrown peatlands across an area of over 250 ha, thus meeting the project’s targets.

All activities in Poland are carried out within the Natura 2000 site ‘Torfowiska Orawsko‑Nowotarskie’, in cooperation with the local authorities who manage the land being re-wetted. In its work, OTOP is supported by the Naturalists’ Club – the second Polish organisation involved in implementing the LIFE Multi Peat project.