Szczecin. Work is underway to create the first national park in 20 years. This is the Lower Oder Valley National Park

“The new Polish national park will help preserve unique nature and landscapes and will give an impulse to economic development, especially tourism in the region,” we read in the ministry's announcement.

– I am very glad that the Polish government listened to the voices of scientists, activists and residents of the region who have been demanding better protection of this exceptionally rich natural area for years – said Przemysław Słowik, co-chairman of the Greens and a councilor from Szczecin.

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The area where the national park is to be built is home to over 200 species of birds, including many species threatened with extinction. It is also “a land of peat bogs, wet meadows, tangles of canals, pools and even lakes.”

– For almost a year we have been working hard to build a real, modern and, most importantly, effective system for monitoring water quality in Polish rivers. Of course, we pay special attention to the Odra River, which suffered so much during the ecological disaster two years ago. In addition to monitoring, we are working on system solutions that will constantly improve the water quality in the Oder – said Urszula Zielińska, Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment.

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The Ministry of Environmental Protection has appointed a team to prepare for the creation of PNDDO. The park is to be financed from the state budget. The establishment of the park will not make navigation on the Oder impossible. Fishing and agricultural activities will still be possible in the park.

More information about the creation of the Lower Oder Valley National Park can be found at ministry website.