Babia Gora National Park
Babia Gora National Park, located in Southern Poland (region of Malopolska), borders with Slovak Republic and is spread across northern and southern slopes of Babia Gora mountain group with the highest peak of Beskid Wysoki range, Diablak or Mt Devil (1725 m). The Park has more than 105 species of birds, including long eared owl, Ural owl, eagle owl, various woodpeckers, alpine accentor and rock pipit. Capercailles have become a rarity in recent years. Among common mammals are deer, while lynx, wolves, bears and small arboreal rodents: forest dormouse, common dormouse and garden dormouse are less commonly met. In 1991 Average age of treestands there was 126 years,

Bialowieza National Park
The National Park of Bialowieza is located in Eastern Poland, on Belorussian border. It covers the central part of Bialowieza primeval forest, which is the most natural of large forests in lowland Europe. The strict preservation zone, deserving particular attention, has not been touched by any forestry works since 1921.The symbol of Bialowieza Park is European bison. Last bisons living in the Forest at large died in 1919 r. The species was reintroduced there in 1929 and at present the herd living at large exceeds 250. Among 54 mammal species in the Park are also wolves, lynx and beavers.

Biebrza National Park
Biebrza National Park, established in 1993 and located in Podlasie region in north-eastern Poland has the area of 59 223 ha which makes it the largest in the country. Its unique bogs and peatlands together with amazing diversity of animal life including impressive number of bird species were the in the group of areas protected by RAMSAR convention. Nowhere in Europe one can find such waterfowl enclaves as Biebrza Valley, where so far 271 bird species have been observed, of which 181 are nesting there. Out of 56 species considered as threatened with extinction in Poland, 17 are nesting in the Park, including: great snipe, aquatic warbler, black tern, white-winged tern and spotted eagle. For some of these, Biebrza bogs are the last hiding place which guarantees their survival in Central Europe.

Bieszczady National Park
Bieszczady National Park, the third largest such park in Poland, is located at the border with the Slovak Republic and Ukraine. Bieszczady Park is populated by relative high number of species which are considered threatened or rare in other parts of Europe. Particularly valuable are local populations of large carnivorous mammals such as bears, wolves and lynx. Red deer are the most popular large herbivores, with approximately 5-7 animals/100 ha. European bisons were reintroduced here at the end of the 60ties

Bory Tucholskie National Park
Bory Tucholskie National Park, established in 196l is located in northern-central Poland in Pomorze region, within Poland’s largest group of forests in the vicinity of Tuchola. Bory Tucholskie National Park was established also to protect unique models of ecosystems typical for the region of Pomerania, with particular attention to lake systems (Lobelia and stonewort lakes). The Park is located in the Brda basin and has more than 20 lakes, including Lobelia lakes with crystal clear waters, which are particularly valuable. Bats play a special role in this region and they include Nathusius’ pipistrelle, brown long-eared bat, Greater mouse-eared bat, Daubenton’s bat and Natterer’s bat.

Drawa National Park
Drawa National Park, spread in central western Poland, covering parts of West Pomerania, Zielona Gora and Wielkopolska regions. One of the reason for establishing the Park was the necessity to protect extremely valuable fragments of the Drawa and the P³ociczna rivers together with surrounding forests. The Drawa (40 km in the Park) has formed attractive valleys and canyons along its whole course. Its fast current and river bed are similar to mountain rivers, and it forms one of the most beautiful kayak tourist routes in Poland. The Park has approximately 869 vascular plants including a large number of protected species. Beautiful oaks and beech trees, over 300 or even 400 years of age are under special protection. There are: white-tailed eagle, osprey, hazel grouse, Tengmalm’s owl, lesser spotted eagle, eagle owl, common goldeneye, goosander and merganser, black stork, kingfisher and grey wagtail. Among 7 species of reptiles is swamp turtle, a true rarity in this area.

Gorce National Park
Gorce National Park covers central and north-eastern part of Gorce mountain range, in southern Poland (region of Malopolska). Gorce National Park is a home for many mountain plants, of which the best known species are alpine (17) and subalpine ones (24) which are common at mountain meadows. Forests, most of which exceed 100 years of age, cover almost 95% of the Park’s area. The Park fauna is typical for Beskidy mountains. Birds are represented by common and honey buzzard, hobby, goshawk, owls (eagle owl, tawny owl Ural owl, Tengmalm’s owl, pygmy owl and long eared owl), woodpeckers (three-toed and white-backed) and forest fowl (hazel grouse, capercaille, and black grouse). Among nesting species are also black stork, nutcracker, raven, dipper and rock pipits. Reptiles common in the Park include spotted salamander (used as Park logo).

Gory Stolowe National Park
Góry Sto³owe National Park spreads over the Polish part of the Sto³owe Mountains, which create central part of Middle Sudety range, in south-western Poland (lower Silesia region) on the border with Czech Republic. The Park has approximately 650 species of vascular plants, of which 46 are under protection.Huge and dense forests are a hiding place for red deer, roe deer, wild boar, foxes, squirrels (red and black) and small rodents. Insectivores are represented by hedgehogs which are quite common there, in contrast to small shrew and mountain shrew, of which the latter is typical for mountain regions. Bird watchers will enjoy the rare sight of hazel grouse, woodcock, black stork, honey buzzard, hobby as well as pygmy owl and Tengmalm’s Owl, typical for boreal forest areas (taiga). Rocks are home to eagle owl, kestrel, raven, nuthatch and black redstart. Vast grasslands are a nesting place for quail and corncracker, which are quite rare in Europe.

Kampinos National Park
Kampinos National Park is located in Mazowsze region, south-west of Warsaw and in direct neighbourhood of this large city. It is spread across a part of protoglacial valley of Vistula in Warsaw Basin, with a large group of forests called Kampinos Primeval Forest. In June 2000 , UNESCO entered it on its list of biosphere reserves. The Park’s symbol is elk. The Park is located within Poland’s largest water junction created by valleys of the Vistula, the Bug, the Narew, the Wkra and the Bzura which join waters in this area. It has no lakes, and its spreading bogs were dried in 19th and 20th century.

Karkonosze National Park
Karkonosze National Park is located in Dolnoslaski region in south-western Poland at the border with the Czech Republic. Karkonosze, the highest mountain group of the Sudety range, are formed as a compact massif with relatively level ridge and a number of peaks of relative height up to 100 m, such as Wielki Szyszak (1509 m). Only Mt Sniezka (1602 m) stands out due to its height and dome-like shape. The most numerous representatives of vertebrate are birds, of which approximately 100 species were observed there, including Tengmalm’s owl, pygmy owl, black grouse, capercaille, ring ouzel and alpine accentor. The Karkonosze are home to approximately 40 species of mammals including 156 species of bats. Mouflons or wild mountain sheep introduced there at the beginning of the 20th century remain a considerable tourist attraction.

Magura National Park
Magura National Park is located in southern Poland (Podkarpackie and Malopolskie regions). The Park is river head of the Wisloka, a typical mountain river which together with its many tributaries is a significant element of the landscape, forming picturesque gorges and bends and often changing directions. The Park is one of the richest animal mainstays in the Beskid Niski range, with its 137 bird species including many rare and endangered birds such as golden eagle, lesser spotted eagle, eagle owl and honey buzzard as well as large populations of black stork, Ural owl, and white-backed woodpecker. Among 35 species of mammals are large predators including brown bear (regularly visiting this area from Slovakia and Bieszczady mountains), lynx, wild cats, wolves and otters. The most interesting species among many local fish are river trout and bull-head. Spotted salamanders, newts, yellow-bellied toads, adders, smooth snakes and grass snakes.

Narew National Park
Narew National Park, located in the upper Narew valley in north-eastern Poland (Podlasie region). Marshes, bogs and waters cover 90% of the Park’s area and are dominating ecosystems there. The valley is fed by surface and ground waters from near surface level and probably by two aquifiers which together with complex structure of river beds supported development of a vast marshy ecosystem which spreads over almost the entire valley and forms a mosaic of floodings, swamps, half-swamps and meadows. Birds are a significant asset of this area. In the years 1979 – 1981, researches recorded there 179 bird species, of which 149 were nesting in the valley. The features of local environment have made it a nesting mainstay of waterfowl of international and European significance. The Narew valley is a nesting ground for over 1% of European population of at least 10 species of birds including bittern, garganey, marsh and Montagu’s harrier, little crake, spotted crake, corn crake, and great snipe and a breeding place for three species which are threatened in extinction world-wide – white tailed eagle, corn crake and aquatic warble.

Ojcow National Park
Ojców National Park is located in Southern Poland (Malopolskie region), 16 km north of Krakow, on Krakow – Czestochowa Plateau.It is the smallest National Park in Poland. The Park’s surface is built of Jurassic limestone, formed approximately 150-180 million years ago. Karst waters sculpted in the valleys peculiar landscape forms, steep canyons and various rocks and mogotes. Ojców has two types of limestone – massy and platy. The former is resistant to wind erosion and forms spectacular mogotes and isolated rocks in valleys of varied shape, such as Maczuga Herkulesa (Hercules’ Club), Igla Deotymy (Deotyma Needle) and many others.The Park has approximately 400 caves and other karst forms such as rising springs, V-shaped valleys, tracts and sinks. The longest caves are Lokietek Cave (320 m), Ciemna Cave (230 m) and Zbojecka Cave (189 m). Diversified relief and microclimate supported rich and varied vegetation, consisting of approximately 1000 vascular plants with differing habitat requirements and origin, including approx. 50 alpine species and more than 100 termophilous species which are typical for southern Europe. Mammals are represented by badgers, common dormouse, ermines and beavers. Bats, hibernating in local caves, are also among the most interesting mammals.

Pieniny National Park
Pieniny National Park is located in the Pieniny Mountains in Southern Poland (Malopolskie region) at the border with the Slovak Republic. The Pieniny are formed of various types of limestone; the hardest of them, called cornstone, forms picturesque, almost vertical white cliffs over the Dunajec river. The best known peak Mt Trzy Korony towers at 982 m. while Mt Wysoka, the highest peak in the whole range, located in the Small Pieniny outside the Park is 1050 m high. The area of the Park occupies the Dunajec catchment zone, with its numerous short mountain streams. Waters of the Dunajec are an important factor which shaped the relief of the Pieniny. Research has confirmed that Polish part of the Pieniny, spread over only nearly 100 km2 has approximately 1100 species of vascular plants, which represent almost 50% of all Polish species. At present more than 70% of the Park’s area is covered by flowers with such basic ecosystems as Carpathian beech forests , termophilous fir and beech forests and sycamore forest with Hart’s tongue fern, relic pine copses and Carpathian alder carrs.

Roztocze National Park
Roztocze National Park, located in the Central East of Poland (Lublin region) covers he most interesting areas of Central Roztocze. The Park has more than 750 species of vascular plants, approximately 400 trees- monuments of nature, 21 forest communities and a number of plant groups of lower rank, of which most important are upland fir forests and Carpathian beech forests, which together make up approximately 45% of afforested area. Fir trees in the Park are the largest in Poland and reach 50 m in height, 470 cm in diameter and up to 20 m3 of tree bulk). Large mammals in the Park include red deer, roe deer, wild boar, martens, badgers and wolves. In 1982, old Polish horse breed which is a descendant of wild forest horse, was introduced in the Park.The most important of approximately 190 bird species in the Park include lesser spotted eagle, honey buzzard, black stork, numerous woodpeckers (including a rare white-backed woodpecker), red-breasted flycatcher, collared flycatcher, stock pigeon, siskin, an grey wagtail. Reptiles are represented by lizards (sand lizard, viviparous lizard, and slow-worm – often in its turquoise form), adder, grass snake, and a rare swamp turtle.

Slowinski National Park
Slowinski National Park is located in the centre of Poland’s sea coast between Leba and Rowy in Pomerania region. In 1977, UNESCO named the Park one of its World Biosphere reserves and included it in its Man and Biosphere project. Formerly the Park’s area was a sea bay. Its relief was formed by Scandinavian glacier and, later, by waters of the Baltic sea. The glacier left there a sequence of moraine hills which surround the Park at the South and the West. The Baltic, together with other geomorphologic processes created sandbars which presently separate lakes from the see. The whole Gardno – Leba Sandbar is built of sand thrown ashore by the waves. The sand, dried by the sun and the wind, was blown further inland, thus forming migrating dunes. The largest dune area is the £eba Sandbar with the area of approx. 500 ha and dunes reaching 30 m. and moving up to 3-10 m per year. Migrating dunes , together with 4 shallow seaside lakes are unique in Europe. The largest lakes are £ebsko (area 7140 ha, max. depth 6,3 m), Gardno (area 2468 ha, max. depth 2,6 m). The Park has approximately 850 species of vascular plants of which 50 are under protection.Birds are dominating among vertebrate present in the Park. Out of 257 species recorded there, 150 are nesting. Among rare species are sea eagle, lesser spotted eagle, golden eagle, eagle owl, raven, swans and a variety of duck species.

Swiety Krzyz National Park
The Park, located in central Poland (Swietokrzyskie region) covers the highest ranges of Swietokrzyskie mountains: Lysogory with its highest peaks Mt Lysica (612 m) and Mt Lysa Gora (595 m.). Œwiêtokrzyskie mountains, the oldest in Poland and Europe, were formed throughout Caledonian uplift, 520-400 million years ago and owe their present form to Herzinian mountain building movements of 300 million years ago. Most interesting species in the Park include Siberian iris, globe flower, ostrich fern and common buckler fern. 674 trees in the Park have the status of monuments of nature. The most stable habitat are boulder fields with their unique animal and plant life. Scientists presume that communities of lower plants such as lichens, mosses and liverworts may have retained their primeval character at boulder fields.

Tatra National Park
Tatra National Park, located in Southern Poland (Malopolska region), at the border with the Slovak Republic, was founded in 1954, but the necessity to protect the Tatra mountains was seen as early as at the end of the 19th century. The Park is founded on the area of the youngest, highest and Poland’s only alpine mountains with diverse relief and height differences reaching up to 1700 m. The highest peak in the Polish part of the Tatras is Mt Rysy (2499 m). The Park has more than 650 caves, with the longest and deepest system of Wielka Sniezna – Wielka Litworowa (the length of corridors is 18000 m and the relative depth – 814 m). 6 caves are available for tourists. The Park numerous streams and about 30 lakes, which are an important element of the landscape of the High Tatras. The largest lakes, or “ponds”, as they are called locally, are Morskie Oko (area 34,9 ha depth 50,8 m) and Wielki Staw Polski (area 34,4 ha depth 79,3). Local waterfalls and rising springs, such as Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza Falls are one of the major attractions of the Park. The longest waterfall is Wielka Siklawa (70 m). The rich fauna of the Park is represented by many endemic, rare and protected species including the chamoix and marmot, which have been under protection since mid 19th century, brown bear, lynx, wolf, otter and several avian species including golden eagle, falcons, wall creeper and alpine accentor. Higher mountains provide nesting ground for capercaille, black grouse and hazel grouse. Forests are home to numerous red and roe deer as well as small rodents.

Wielkopolska National Park
Wielkopolska National Park is located in south-western Poland (Wielkopolska region) 15 km south of Poznan, in Wielkopolska Lakeland. Researchers discovered there approximately 1100 species of vascular plants, 200 species of bryophites, 150 species of lichens, 350 species of algae and 400 species of higher fungi. Most of the species are European and Siberian species, including Scots pine (70% of forests) and Central European species such as common oak, hornbeam, yellow fox-glove and white five-leaf. Northern species include twin flower, which is a relic of the glacial period. The Park has abundant fauna, with particularly rich invertebrate group, of which the most numerous are insects, with more than 3 thousand species. The world of arachnids is also varied, including water spider which spends its whole life under water. Lake waters are home to numerous perch, bream, tench, pike and eel.

Polesie National Park
The Park is located in Eastern Poland, in the western part of Polesie region which borders with the Lublin Upland in the South, Podlasie region in the North and Mazowsze region in the West. The whole Park spreads across Leczyñsko-Wlodawskie Lakeland which makes up southern part of Polesie Lubelskie. The Park’s area is a substitute of tundra and tundra /forest habitats which reached the most southward and westward places in Europe. Among 21 fish species living in the Park are carp, tench, crucian carp, roach, rudd, Northern pike, perch, eel, and very rare and protected lake minnow. Swamp turtle is the most interesting of 6 reptile species, as the Park’s population of this animal is one of the largest in Europe. Birds are the best researched animal group. Out of 146 species nesting there, 17 are strongly threatened with extinction. Most of the birds are living in marshy and water habitats, and the most important ones include visiting: golden eagles, sea eagles and great spotted eagle and nesting: lesser spotted eagles, cranes, common and green sandpipers, grey lag gooses, eagle owls and black storks. Among 35 mammal species the most interesting are northern birch mouse, bat Nathusius’s pipistrelle, ermine, otter, elk, wolf and recently re-introduced beaver. Western curlew and great snipe are some of unique bird species living in marshes, and the most numerous bird of prey is Montagu’s harrier, whose population in Poland is gradually decreasing. During bird migration, particularly in spring, the peatbogs are an important resting and feeding place for many species of ducks, coot, swans, cranes and waders.

The Warta Mouth National Park
The Warta Mouth National Park replaced Slonsk Natural Reserve established in 1977 and a park of The Warta Mouth landscape park. Due to its extreme importance, particularly for waterfowl, the area of Slonsk Reserve was embraced in 1984 by Ramsar convention which aims at the protection of marsh habitats of birds. The Warta which is the main river in the Park, divides it into southern part, which is the former Slonsk Reserve covering Kostrzyn artificial lake, and northern part called the Northern Polder. Annual differences in water level in the southern part of the Park approximate 4m and its main function is to collect flooding water.The Warta Mouth National Park is one of the most important nesting places of waterfowl in Poland, with its 245 avian species, of which 160 nest there, including 4 species of grebes, 7-8 various duck species, 5 species of rails and 9-10 wadders. For many bird species, the Park provides the most important nesting site in Poland. As many as 26 species which nest here are threatened with extinction, according to BirdLife International.

Wigry National Park
Wigry National Park is located in north-eastern Poland, in Podlasie region; farmed areas there are protected as landscape park. Glaciation period contributed to the formation of numerous lakes varying by shape, area and depth. The Park has 43 of them; the largest, Lake Wigry (area 2187 ha, max. depth 73 m) spreads in its central part. The main river, the Czarna Hancza, which flows through Lake Wigry is a well known, favourite kayak route. Forest communities which are the closest to natural ones are marsh forests and woods as well as alder carrs. Large part of the Park’s area is covered with peatbogs which often form unique plant communities on the national scale. Most of high moors and transitory peatbogs have retained their natural character. Among more than 1700 animal species recorded so far in the Park, the most characteristic one is European beaver, common on the river and lake sides; it is estimated, that the number of beavers in the Park approximates 250. Wolves are the most common large predators locally, and their population is gradually increasing.

Wolin National Park
Wolin National Park is located in the mouth of the Odra, in north-western Poland (Zachodnie Pomorze region), at Poland’s border with Germany, and it aims to protect extremely valuable environment of the north-western part of Wolin island. After a part of Pomeranian Bay and internal sea waters of Szczecin Lagoon were included in the Park, it became Poland’s first marine national park. The land part of the Park is considerably varied, with a 15 km long cliff sea coast which reaches up to 95 m and withdraws into the land for about 80 cm per year in the result of erosion caused by storms, winds and the sun. In addition to forests, waters are the dominating habitats of the Park, including the Baltic in the North and the delta of the Swina river in the West, which includes a chain of muddy islands and islets separated by channels with changing water flow and water levels and periodically flooded , particularly when northern winds force seawater into the Szczecin Lagoon. Wolin island has more than 1300 species of vascular plants, of which many are protected and rare. The best preserved forest communities are beech forests, with structure close to natural ones; most natural patches of beech forest form two strict protection zones on southern part of the Park and two such zones in its northern part, where orchids can be met among beech trees. The fauna on the island is truly varied and includes large number of rare species. Wolin is located on the main bird migration route leading along the seacoast. Among more than 230 birds recorded in the Park many are nesting there, including white tailed eagle, aquatic warbler, dunlin and read-breasted flycatcher. The Park plays an important role with respect to the protection of habitats for waterfowl, which can find there peace and food, particularly during spring and autumn migrations. Delta of the Swina has been classified as a bird mainstay of European significance.