Guide on the development of green infrastructure in the Carpathians

for cultural landscape, lack of catalogues of building and architectural forms, lack of reliable view analyses of the impact of the implementation of planning documents on the landscape results in progressive degradation of space. II.2.5 Fig. 3 Influence of planning judgements on the landscape and natural environment MN/MP – areas of single‐ family residential area and residential and pension areas MN1,2 – single‐family residential areas UT – tourism services areas UWT/ML – recreation and tourism services areas with admission of holiday home development R – agricultural areas R/k – agricultural areas within scenically displayed slopes and hill tops The view of Piwniczna‐Zdrój from the beginning of Radziejowa Range Resolution no XLIII/333/06 of the city and municipality of Piwniczna‐Zdrój of 28 July 2006 on adoption of the local area development plan of the city  and municipality of Piwniczna‐Zdrój, structural unit “A.II” – ZAWODZIE.  Source: http://www.piwniczna.ipmap.pl The same view taking into account  the Local Master Plan Vista point from which the panorama photo was taken Existing buildings and the range of the panorama Planned building in accordance with the Local Master Plan provisions Fig. 3. View from the Radziejowa Range over Piwniczna-Zdroj to the Jaworzyna Krynicka Range and buildings of Zawodzie and Kokuszka village. Piwniczna-Zdrój is a recreation and tourism city, for which greenery in the landscape hold special meaning. The decline of traditional agricultural systems, investment pressure and residential building expansion higher on the valley slopes changes its sightseeing reception and causes discomfort for the recipient. Fortunately for the majority of the area, the Local Master Plan exists with a clause that forbids building on the hill tops. Source: Hanna Hrehorowicz-Gaber, own elaboration SPATIAL PLANNING AND PROTECTED AREAS Planning documents should also take into account provisions concerning management in the legal forms of nature protection (see also chapter II.2.4). Drafts of protection plans for national parks are subject to opinions of the local government, while those for landscape parks are subject to agreements, both are also subject to public consultations. Protection plans for national and landscape parks contain provisions for studies of conditions and directions for spatial development of municipalities, local spatial development plans, spatial development plans of voivodships. They concern elimination or limitation of internal or external threats to natural values, which should be taken into account when drawing up planning documents. Moreover, the landscape park protection plan, in the part concerning: definition of borders of landscape protection zones, which constitute, in particular, foregrounds of expositions, viewpoints and built-up areas distinguished by a local architectural form, delimited within the priority landscapes identified in the landscape audit, a list of objects of significant historical and cultural importance and a list of prohibitions applicable in the area of a given landscape 99

park – is an act of local law. Although areas covered by the Natura 2000 management plan are not subject to consultations/ agreements with local governments, the representatives of local governments are members It is in the interest of local government to: ◆ identify and protect the elements of natural and cultural identity of the municipality/village and their use for its/their development, ◆ preserve open spaces as the capital of the municipality/village, ◆ take into account the local natural, cultural and landscape values in the designation of investment areas and in shaping the spatial development of the Carpathians, ◆ monitor the state of the municipality’s/province’s spatial development and areas in need of restoration, ◆ promote the resources of the Carpathians to create new jobs, ◆ educational support for decision-makers in the planning process. An interesting document that can support and provide additional guidance to local govern- ments and other stakeholders in shaping the Carpathian space is the Code of Good Practice for Spatial Management in the Carpathians, developed with the participation of a group of specialists and published by the UNEP/GRID-Warsaw Centre in the framework of the project „Carpathians Unite – mechanism for consultation and cooperation for the implementation of the Carpathian Convention”, implemented in 2012-2016 with the financial support of the Swiss-Polish Cooperation Programme (Swiss Contribution). The Code can be found (in Polish only) at: www.informatoriumkarpackie.pl/spolecznosci-lokalne/planowan- ie-przestrzenne/kodeks (access December 2021). . of the so-called Local Cooperation Teams, which co-create the provisions of the management plan, inter alia, through participation in meetings, up-to-date information on the development of the protective tasks plan and, above all, through the possibility to submit comments at each stage of the plan’s preparation. In addition, the draft is subject to public consultation. The management plan contains indications for changes in the existing studies of conditions and directions of spatial development of municipalities, local spatial development plans and spatial development plans of voivodships – concerning elimination or reduction of internal or 100

external threats, if they are necessary for maintenance or restoration of the proper condition of protection of natural habitats as well as plant and animal species, for the protection of which the Natura 2000 area was designated. What is important, those indications concern only the already enacted, legally binding documents which for obvious reasons lack appropriate references. All subsequent planning documents which are created after the establishment of the plan of protection tasks should take into account the provisions of this plan, as it is an act of local law. Planning documents for areas located within the boundaries of national parks are subject to the approval of the national park director. Studies of conditions and directions of spatial development of municipalities and local plans of spatial development within the borders of other types of protected areas are subject to approval by the appropriate Regional Director for Environmental Protection, while all plans, programmes, strategies may be subject to strategic environmental impact assessment, which is decided by the Regional Director for Environmental Protection. As already mentioned above, in order for individual types of protected areas to fulfil their function, it is worthwhile to protect – through appropriate provisions in planning documents – both the protected areas themselves, but also their buffer zones, limiting the possibility of negative impacts of environmentally valuable areas, and also (or perhaps above all) taking care to maintain ecological links between them, trying to keep the areas free of investments and strengthening the elements of green infrastructure. The text uses images of the local spatial development plan „Uście Gorlickie V” (Gładyszów village), drawn up for the Uście Gorlickie municipality. 101

Photo: Krzysztof Haase II.2.6 Tourism With the increase in the amount of free time, the development of communications, the increase in the wealth of society or – under the previous system – the introduction of subsidised holidays (for employees, pensioners, children), tourism, which used to be an elite phenomenon, became common and began to take on a mass character. It is of particular importance in mountainous regions – including the Carpathians, of course. The landform and the harsher climate make farming difficult (they practically rule out large-scale monocultures of crops or pastures, present in the lowlands), as well as intensive industrialisation. As a result, mountain areas still, despite centuries of human activity, and often also thanks to it, have preserved valuable natural and landscape values. Combined with a rich cultural heritage, this creates exceptional potential for the development of tourism. It can be regarded as one of the most important economic sectors and an important factor in improving the material situation of the region’s inhabitants. Unfortunately, tourism has two faces and alongside the positive sides there are many problems associated with its development. The negative sides of mass tourism are recognised not only by scientists and naturalists, but also by residents and tourists themselves. It is difficult not to notice increased car traffic, damage to the landscape, noise, price increases, negative social phenomena, etc. Tourist arrivals are also associated with an increase in water consumption, which may cause periodic water shortages, with higher exhaust emissions and an increase in sewage and waste. The intensification of tourism around tourist resorts with integrated infrastructure for downhill skiing (ropeways and gondola lifts) is a matter of significant concern. Downhill skiing may adversely affect the nature and landscape by prolonging the period of snow cover and degradation of species composition of glades, water erosion of slopes and increase of surface runoff (weakening of slope retention), etc. Moreover, very often ski lifts, originally intended only for winter sports, start to be used also in the summer period, with the use of bicycles. This intensifies the impact on areas previously used by tourists in a sustainable 102

manner, which, in turn, results in physical damage to the area and an increase in tourist traffic throughout the year. Fig. 1. South Małopolska Protected Landscape Area – July 2018 (resources of the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Cracow) Tourism therefore has both positive and negative consequences for the development of the Carpathian region. Lack of appropriate channelling of tourist traffic, i.e. on the one hand providing attractions for guests and at the same time keeping them away from the most valuable ecosystems, may threaten the whole local nature. Overly intensive tourism causes synanthropisation of plants and animals, disturbance of their natural existence and trampling (more and more often also driving with quads and off-road vehicles) and pollution of the area along tourist trails. It only depends on the degree of intensity of tourism in a given area whether it does not destroy what is supposed to be its driving force, i.e. the natural and cultural environment. Ever since the 1950s there have been voices talking about the necessity of protecting natural and cultural environment against devastation caused by indiscriminate development of mass forms of tourism. Special emphasis is put on the paradoxical situation in which tourism destroys the values that are the basis of its further development and the inhabitants tolerate or even support the devastation of the surrounding natural environment and cultural elements inherited from their ancestors. Lack of awareness on the negative effects of tourism development means that 103

it is often perceived as a „panacea” for the economic problems of the region and an easy way to improve the standard of living of the inhabitants. This is, however, a misconception. Tourism is like fire – you can cook soup with it, but it can also burn down your house. Therefore, only planned and controlled development of tourism and its subordination to the principles of sustainable development allows for the management of all resources in such as a way as to: ◆ meet the needs of local communities, contributing to their standard of living and quality of life now and in the future; ◆ meet the expectations of a growing number of tourists and seek to ensure the sustainability of tourist demand; ◆ protect the natural and cultural environment. Putting these guidelines into practice is proving very difficult. The problems arise primarily from the fact that it is not possible to unambiguously define the actions the undertaking of which will ensure sustainable development. Detailed solutions depend on specific situations. Sustainable development will be completely different in a city, in a big tourist destination and in non-urban environmentally valuable areas, e.g. within the borders of national parks. Paradoxically, sustainable tourism cannot be connected with specific forms of tourism. Almost every form of tourist activity can and even should be of sustainable character. However, there are some general rules of sustainable tourism development, which should be respected in the entire region of the Carpathians. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IS PLANNED DEVELOPMENT Sustainable development is a form of compromise, an attempt to find the “golden mean” to reconcile natural, economic and social considerations. Such development does not happen on its own, but requires discussion, seeking to reach consensus and planned action. It also often involves making sacrifices and incurring costs, the effects of which will only become apparent in the long term. It is therefore necessary to draw up concepts and detailed plans for the development of tourism. Planning should not be limited to the areas of individual municipalities, but should cover the entire tourist regions. Sustainable development of tourism cannot be considered in isolation from other social and economic functions of the region. Tourism must develop in harmony with traditional (green and blue) infrastructure and traditional functions of the area, including farming and forestry. The broadest possible relationship between tourism and the local economy should be sought. Traditional economic functions should be maintained, as it is very risky to make the economy dependent on tourism due to its instability and significant seasonality. It should also be borne in mind that traditional forms of farming shape the unique 104

cultural landscape of the Carpathians and are of significant importance not only economically, Photo: Krzysztof Haase but also socio-culturally, and thus constitute an interesting tourist asset. Local and regional organisations and institutions, e.g. voivodship self-governments, developing and promoting the values of the region as a brand, play an important role in planning and development of tourism. An example is the Carpathia brand associated with the Carpathian Euroregion, for the development and management of which a special strategy was formulated. Strategies for sustainable tourism development tailored to specific local conditions and based on local assets can be e.g. formulated and coordinated by local tourist organisations (LTOs). An example of this is the Strategy for sustainable tourism development of the magical land of Lemkos and Pogorzans, developed and published in 2016 as part of the project „Carpathians Unite – mechanism of consultation and cooperation for the implementation of the Carpathian Convention” (UNEP/GRID-Warsaw Centre was the Project Leader), with support from the Swiss-Polish Cooperation Programme (Swiss Contribution). For inspiration, the Strategy can be found (in Polish) on the website created and maintained by UNEP/GRID-Warsaw Centre: Informatorium Karpackie; www.informatoriumkarpackie.pl/spolecznosci-lokalne/turysty- ka-zrownowazona (access: December 2021). The common denominator of such documents is care for natural resources, landscape protec- tion, cultivation of cultural heritage with emphasis on its authenticity and diversity, creation of local tourist products and partnership cooperation of entities and groups responsible for a harmonious development of tourism. COOPERATION BY MULTIPLE ACTORS Implementation of the idea of sustainable development requires involvement and broad 105

cooperation of many entities. In the case of development of environmentally friendly tourism, this obviously concerns entities (partners) related to tourism in the first place. All stakeholders should be involved in planning and implementation of the tourism development strategy: local authorities, entrepreneurs, nature protection institutions, institutions dealing with forestry, water management and agriculture, organisations connected with tourism or sustainable development (e.g. Local Action Groups, tourist, environmental and educational organisations), and finally the very inhabitants of the Carpathian municipalities. Such cooperation – especially supported by experts – enables discussions, exchange of opinions and thus facilitates conflict prevention and mitigation of existing problems. Moreover, with the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders it is possible to create an interesting and rich tourist offer, and in particular integrated tourist products that will be competitive.i. THE BROADEST POSSIBLE PARTICIPATION OF RESIDENTS Success in the implementation of environmentally friendly tourism (in accordance with the general principles of sustainable development) depends first of all on understanding and supporting undertaken actions, and on the level of involvement of local communities. It is important to strive for increased participation of local inhabitants in planning and development of tourism and in servicing of tourist traffic. Active participation of local communities leads to increased support for tourism and guarantees that income from tourism will be retained in the region. Besides, in order for tourism not to be perceived by the inhabitants as a nuisance, it must be accepted by them. The higher the level of acceptance, the larger the benefits. If – and for as long as – tourism is a factor that activates the region, generates income for local people, contributes to improvement of aesthetics of the place and preservation of natural and cultural values, its development will be supported by the inhabitants. Involvement of local communities in servic- ing tourist traffic is also conducive to increasing their knowledge of natural and cultural values of the areas they live in, which may result in increased social support for protection of nature and cultural heritage – exactly those factors that drive tourism. It is also beneficial from the point of view of the tourists themselves, as it enables them to commune with the local culture, get to know the customs and dialect, which greatly increases the attractiveness of the trip. BUILDING THE TOURIST OFFER ON LOCAL POTENTIAL To the highest possible extent, tourist offer should be based on the local potential – local, often specific and unique natural and cultural values, as well as human and material resources. Extensive use of the local potential stimulates economic development of the localities and ensures that income from tourism does not flow outside the region; moreover, it determines the originality of tourist products. 106

Therefore, a very important measure for sustainable development of tourism is supporting the Photo: Krzysztof Haase development of small enterprises and local initiatives. These initiatives do not necessarily have to be directly connected with tourism, as they can indirectly contribute to enriching the tourist offer or be one of the elements of the tourist product. Examples are organic farms, production of sheep cheese (“oscypek”), leather or wooden products. MINIMISATION OF NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF TOURISM ON THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Tourism in the Carpathians develops primarily on the basis of natural assets and the pres- ervation of these assets is a prerequisite for its sustainable development. It is important to bear in mind that wellness of the natural environment is and will be an asset and the basis for competitiveness of the area. Limiting the negative influence of tourism on natural environment is favoured, among others, by: ◆ delimitation of zones and routes designated for particular forms of tourism. Areas with the highest natural values should be preserved exclusively for ecotourism; ◆ expansion of the sewage network and sewage treatment plants; ◆ educational activities, as the level of damage to the environment depends to a very large 107

Photo: Krzysztof Haase extent on the awareness and attitudes of tourists and local residents: owners or users of the land, local entrepreneurs from the tourism industry and other sectors, as well as local authorities, which decide – for example through planning procedures – on the way the land is used; ◆ appropriate infrastructure, the nature and location of which will influence the forms, inten- sity of tourist traffic. SATISFACTION FOR TOURISTS Taking measures to ensure satisfaction of tourists and fulfilment of their needs will result in repeated visits to a given region, to hosts they have met before. Thus it will be conducive to ensuring sustainability of tourism demand, i.e. sustainability of development of the tourism function and sustainability of related income. It should be borne in mind that the level of tourists’ satisfaction depends not only on the range of services offered, the standard of accommodation, but also on a number of other, often subjective factors, among which the hospitality of hosts, traditional for the Carpathian regions, plays a very important role. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY The development of sustainable tourism requires the understanding and support of local people and tourists. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to carry out information and educational activities. Such activities may include setting up information boards, building nature trails, publishing brochures and leaflets, running an information point and organising various trainings for inhabitants. Such training should concern issues related to the natural and cultural values of the region, nature protection as well as tourist services. Educational activities should also cover issues concerning ways of increasing profits from tourism, e.g. through creation of brand tourist products, diversification of the tourist offer, promotion of off-season attrac- tions, reduction of seasonality of tourist traffic and development of forms of active tourism. Another very important activity is to support education of local people in professions connected with tourist services and production for tourism purposes, fostering the improvement of professional skills and acquiring relevant 108

qualifications, e.g. organizing courses for mountain guides. The educational activities among the inhabitants and improvement of their professional qualifications are very important, as they ensure development of appropriate staff to serve tourism, and thus favour retaining the income flowing from it in the region. Moreover, only the inhabitants who are aware of the exceptional importance of the surrounding natural and cultural environment will be willing to strive for its protection. MONITORING Tourism development requires constant monitoring. Research on the volume and structure of tourism traffic and on the effects of tourism development – both natural and socio-economic – should be carried out in Carpathian resorts. Having reliable information on tourism-related activity in a given area and threats caused by them provides a basis for further planning and taking measures to prevent negative phenomena in the future. LEGAL AND STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN THE CARPATHIANS The key document, to which the undertakings in the field of sustainable development of tourism in the Carpathian region can and should refer, is the Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians (Carpathian Convention – see also Chapter III.3.). The issue of sustainable tourism is dealt with in two points contained in Article 9, where it is declared that the States – Parties to the Convention shall: ◆ take measures to promote sustainable tourism in the Carpathians for the benefit of the local populations, based on the unique character of the nature, landscape and cultural heritage of the Carpathians, and enhance cooperation towards this goal; ◆ pursue policies to promote cross-border cooperation contributing to the development of sustainable tourism, for example by developing coordinated or joint management plans for cross-border or bordering protected areas and other areas of touristic interest. The provisions of the Convention on tourism were further developed in the Protocol on Sustain- able Tourism to the Convention, which was adopted in 2011 and came into force in Poland in 2013 (Journal of Laws 2013, item 682). The provisions of the Protocol concern, inter alia: ◆ promoting the Carpathian region as a sustainable tourism destination; ◆ development, promotion and marketing of Carpathian regional sustainable tourism products, services and packages; ◆ Increasing the contribution of tourism to the sustainable 109

Photo: Krzysztof Haase development of the local economy in the Carpathians; ◆ management of tourism in the Carpathians for the benefit of the environ- ment and sustainable local economic development of ecologically less sensitive areas, less developed and less used by tourism, but with sufficient potential to absorb and accommodate part of the tourist flow; ◆ increasing the contribution of tourism to nature conservation and sustainable use of the biological and landscape diversity of the Carpathians; ◆ planning and sustainable development of transport and tourism infrastructure in the Carpathian region; ◆ Increasing the contribution of tourism to the preservation and promotion of the cultural heritage and traditional knowledge of local communities in the Carpathians; ◆ promoting cross-border cooperation in the development of sustainable tourism in the Carpathians. The document that has been developed to implement the above-mentioned Protocol is the Strategy for Sustainable Tourism Development of the Carpathians. It was adopted in 2014 with a ten-year perspective (until 2024). The Strategy sets the main objectives for tourism development in the whole area of Carpathians, which are: ◆ establishing conditions to support tourism products and services, including development of a marketing system to promote the Carpathians as a region of sustainable tourism; ◆ developing innovative tourism management, combining the needs of the local population and economy and other supporting sectors, while taking care to preserve the natural and cultural heritage; create a continuous process of awareness raising, capacity building, education and training in sustainable tourism development and manage- ment at all levels. 110

In summary, the main benefits of sustainable tourism development are: ◆ preservation of a healthy natural environment, beautiful landscape, unpolluted air, clean streams, forests; ◆ preservation of local customs, traditional architecture; ◆ additional jobs for local people – both directly in tourism and in „around tourism” activities; ◆ additional or new income for the local community, boosting the local economy (creation of new, maintenance and development of existing businesses and services); ◆ development, enrichment of the local offer of attractions (cultural, recreational and entertainment facilities) – both for visitors and residents; ◆ strengthening the residents’ sense of identity, ownership, satisfaction and pride, which fosters care and concern for the environment in their „little homeland”; ◆ increased attractiveness of the stay and satisfaction of tourists; ◆ a better life for future generations in an unspoilt environment. This chapter uses extracts from the following studies: ◆ Environmentally-friendly tourism. Implementation Guide for the Polish Carpathians. Publication developed and published in the framework of the project „Sustainable development of the Carpathians through environment-friendly tourism”, with the support of the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism. Warsaw-Cracow 2009 ◆ Strategy of sustainable development of tourism in the magical land of Lemkos and Pogorzans. Dr Bernadetta Zawilińska, Dr Anna Wilkońska, Dr Krzysztof Szpara. Publication developed and published within the project „Carpathians Unite – mechanism of consultation and cooperation for the implementation of the Carpathian Convention”, with support from the Swiss-Polish Cooperation Programme (Swiss Contribution). Warsaw 2016 111

II.2.7 In one’s own garden He is a noble and good man who is trained in gardening. His work is useful, brings health, beautifies the country, decorates it; it is a thankfulness to God. (Hellenius) Green infrastructure can be developed on different scales. It can consist of small surface elements, both those found in areas used for agricultural purposes, as well as forms of greenery associated with human settlements or sacral buildings. These include parks, gardens, squares and street greenery. Perceiving them not only in the context of their aesthetic functions, but also their environmental and health benefits should influence their development and mainte- nance with greater awareness and motivation. In this chapter we will discuss three categories of sites whose management goes beyond the direct competence of local authorities – making the involvement of the owners extremely important in managing them. MANOR AND PALACE PARKS At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, a style known today as manor style was created. It combined the elements of two main trends in garden design in the 18th and 19th centuries, i.e. the landscape garden (English) and the geometric garden, stylistically referring to the Italian Renaissance gardens. Manor style was popular both in designing the surroundings of country manors, city manors and suburban villas. Its main elements were the arrival section, i.e. a circular driveway in front of the main building, and the garden parlour, i.e. a quadrilateral ground floor serving as either flower or flower-utility plots or a lawn which, depending on the size of the establishment, transformed into an orchard surrounded by tall trees or into a landscape section successively transforming into a forest. 112

According to the 2015 register of monuments of the National Heritage Institute, there are Photo: Piotr Mikołajczyk nearly 5000 manors and palaces in Poland, of which 3000 are remnants of the Polish landed gentry (i.e. buildings from reclaimed lands or those described as urban are not included). Of these 3000, 2000 are „in a state of ruin, radical reconstruction or such a state of deprivation (cutting down parks, deprivation of the entire economic infrastructure) that only a devastated building remains”. According to the Polish Landowners’ Society only about 150 manors and palaces existing in Poland (again: apart from the urban ones) have preserved their architec- tural-historical values, referring to the original state. The poor condition of manors and their surroundings, i.e. park layouts, is mainly due to their unclear ownership situation. Renovations become an opportunity, if they assume restoration of functionality, aesthetics and specificity of individual manor residences while preserving both cultural and natural values. The risk connected with renovations may be the investor’s attempt to „tidy up” the garden layout or what is left of it before consulting a landscape architect. This usually involves the removal of shrubs, trees and other elements from places where, in the investor’s opinion, they will interfere with the renovation works or are justified for other reasons, e.g. trees with irregular shape, crooked or heavily branched. Treating manor gardens as an important element of green infrastructure requires the involve- ment of a landscape architect who is able to accurately assess the natural, cultural or aesthetic and visual values – both of the space covered by the boundaries of the future investment, as well as its surroundings. Whenever possible, such undertakings should be strengthened with the participation of a naturalist who will make a professional assessment of natural values and will specify the need for actions focused on the protection of species and habitats, so that the manor park can play the role of an environmental island or be an element of a local ecological corridor. 113

Photo: ewg3D, Getty Images Signature HOME GARDENS Originally, a country garden was a piece of land lying in the immediate vicinity of a dwelling. Highlander homesteads could be recognised by the ash, linden or sycamore trees planted around them. Fences built of natural materials had the function of separating and marking out boundaries, but not fencing them off. Until the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, the gardens were mainly utilitarian in character. Each house had an orchard, a vegetable garden and a garden with medicinal plants. Later their role became more ornamental. Side gardens were created at the facade of the building, usually directly under the windows. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the so-called foregarden appeared, i.e. a front garden located between the entrance to the property and the residential building. The front garden had a representative function, could be seen from the road, so it was given special care and a lot of work was put into its appearance.. Over the last few decades there have been huge changes in the rural landscape associated with settlement. Dense urban development and traffic congestion on roads result in the need to enclose the plot either with a hedge or a high and dense fence. The yard space is often taken up by the construction of a new house, garage, sheds etc., which reduces the garden area. Villages close to cities are becoming more like suburban zones with villa developments. These changes have a strong impact on the appearance of rural gardens. 114

Photo: RagnarPhoto, Getty Images Flowers in the garden were selected for their medicinal, customary, symbolic and decorative value. At first, these were mainly native plants, obtained from the surrounding area, e.g., in the gardens of Zakopane, species brought from the mountains appeared: pinks, aquilegias, angelica, golden and tuber lilies, roseroot and others. Perennials with soaring flower stems and herbs with strong aromas were particularly popular. The variety of plants planted increased with their availability on the market. As a result, tall species such as hollyhocks, larkspurs, foxgloves and sunflowers were usually planted near the fences. The interiors of the front gardens were filled with strong coloured and strongly scented plants, e.g. marigolds, snapdragons, carnations, stocks, marigolds, evening stocks, rues, mignonettes, poppies, bluebonnets, peonies, columbines and many others. Mint, sage, lovage, melissa, thyme and camomile were also popular, as well as climbing species such as: vine, ivy, grapevine, hop and honeysuckle. The new standard is emerging with gardens where the lawn plays a major role, deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs are planted, and flowerbeds are merely a complement of the whole. Plants characteristic of traditional country gardens are being replaced by new species of ornamental plants. The most typical example is the disappearance of formerly valued herbs and the abandonment of vegetables in contemporary country gardens. The availability of nursery stock, with a large number of gardening guides and magazines, encourages garden owners to introduce new plant species, and price is often the selection criterion. In addition, decorative elements such as sculptures, ponds or pots with ornamental flowering plants are introduced. 115

Photo: Meinzahn, Getty Images Gardens where the whole surface is occupied by decorative herbaceous plants are mainly found around old wooden houses inhabited by older people with a traditional sense of aesthetics associated with the culture of the region. The issue of changes in the appearance of domestic gardens goes beyond green infrastructure; it also touches upon cultural and social issues. However, from the perspective of the services provided, it is worth promoting the return to tradition and increasing the share of flowering plants in gardens, which are useful for pollinating insects, promoting native species or vari- eties that are useful for various groups of animals, e.g. when planting hawthorns, snowball trees, roses, etc., consider varieties with single flowers, less decorative than full varieties, but producing flowers with more pollen and later bearing fruit. CHURCHES AND CEMETERIES Religious buildings and areas, including churches and cemeteries, made a major contribution to the landscape in the past. A churchyard surrounded by old trees and a cemetery separated from the village centre and connected to the church by an alley of trees, were and often still are distinctive features of the rural landscape. Even today, their role in shaping the green infrastructure is not insignificant. Originally the church and cemetery were almost one. The area of the church and cemetery was relatively small, surrounded by a wall, and trees were usually planted along the wall. 116

The situation changed, in the 18th century, when independent cemeteries began to be built Photo: Piotr Mikołajczyk at a distance from the church and human settlements, following sanitary guidelines. However, the acceptance of this approach was much slower in villages than in towns and church ceme- teries continued to function sporadically until the mid-20th century. In the rural landscape, the cemetery was perceived as a group of tall trees, as both the alley leading from the church to the cemetery and the main cemetery alley and fence were planted with trees. The choice of trees was not accidental. Similarly to other plants planted in the cemetery, apart from their aesthetic and compositional role, they had a symbolic meaning. Most often there were rows of linden, oak and ash trees. Linden trees in the rural tradition were considered sacred, manifesting goodness and deep peace, while oaks in cemeteries were a symbol of immortality. Also in the cemetery there was a place for thujas, now commonly planted in gardens, which, since the time of Romanticism, has symbolised death, sorrow and mourning. It is assumed that since the post-war years cemeteries have started to lose their traditional forms and aesthetic space. As part of the development of green infrastructure, it is worth considering cooperation with the parish or municipal cemetery management in order to preserve existing or restore lost landscape values and at the same time to strengthen the natural function of trees surrounding churches and cemeteries. Below are some examples of relatively easy to implement individual actions aimed at preserving 117

small elements of green infrastructure in one’s own garden, housing estate or even balcony in a city block: ◆ I will plant a tree or shrub in my neighbourhood; ◆ I will take care of the trees and shrubs in my care – removing only as much as necessary, leaving as much as possible; ◆ I will mow the lawn less frequently; I will leave part of the lawn uncut; and I will mow in such a way that small animals can escape, i.e. not concentrically from the edges to the centre. ◆ I will leave a „wild” spot in part of my garden or yard where I do not clean up fallen leaves and branches; ◆ I will not plant invasive species that threaten native biodiversity; ◆ I will make sure that the fence allows the movement of small animals, e.g. amphibians, lizards, hedgehogs; ◆ I will install a nest box for birds; ◆ I will install a bat box; ◆ I will install an insect hotel; ◆ during the summer heat, I will put out a watering can for birds and insects and make sure there is always water in it; ◆ I will feed the birds responsibly, i.e. with the right nourishment, and if I start feeding them, I will not stop, especially during severe frosts (birds accustomed to feeding will fly to an empty feeder); ◆ I will give up the chemical spraying against mosquitoes – instead, I will install mosquito nets in the windows; ◆ I will compost organic waste – use natural fertilisers. 118

Similar recommendations can be made for urban greenery: roadside greenery, flowerbeds in squares, housing estate greenery, and even balcony vegetation. Examples of actions, animated by the municipality, a housing association or a social organisation, could include: ◆ training for residents on, for example, traditional gardens, home orchards, herbs, melliferous plants, etc; ◆ competitions for residents, e.g. for the most pollinator-friendly garden or balcony, the most beautiful yard, promoting selected species of trees, bushes and flowering plants, etc; ◆ a good example in public spaces – flowerbeds in squares and plazas planted with long and colourful blooming flowers; ◆ promoting less frequent mowing of estate lawns and avoiding aggressive chemical pesticides or insect control products against mosquitoes or ticks in gardens and green spaces; ◆ promoting the establishment of rain gardens; ◆ supporting ‚green’ citizen projects within the framework of participatory budgets, aimed at protecting biodiversity, and encouraging residents to vote for such projects; ◆ supporting the activities of local social organisations with a ‚green profile’, nature themed interest groups or clubs in the local community centre, etc. ◆ encouraging citizens to be active and to participate in collective appeals or petitions (even if they are signed on-line) concerning nature and landscape conservation; ◆ supporting candidates with a ‚green portfolio’ in elections (both local and parliamentary); ◆ active engagement in sharing/dissemination of information related to the environment and other actions organised through social media. 119

Local initiatives for the development of green and blue infrastructure 120

Photo: Krzysztof Haase III.1 Step by step Being aware of the role and importance of green infrastructure should inspire and encourage us to care about its preservation and enhancement. Depending on local circumstances, this can be accomplished in many ways; nevertheless, such actions should, as far as possible: ◆ promote pro-environmental forms of land use and development that preserve ecological connectivity; ◆ protect land against negative land use changes, excessive overbuilding; ◆ protect elements of green and blue infrastructure, make proper use of them and shape them in a correct manner. Next to local governments, the role of local communities is essential in this context. Residents of a municipality are not only citizens or voters; they are also owners or users of land, hence they affect directly their municipality’s space. They also include local organisations, entrepre- neurs or other entities that participate – within their respective areas of competence – in the management of a given area, such as nature protection services, the State Forests, the Polish Waters, and others (how to choose them and their roles are discussed further below, in chapter III.4). Public participation and inter-institutional cooperation are indispensable ingredients of any successful initiative. As part of the LIFE Green-Go! Local initiatives for deployment of green infrastructure in Natura 2000 sites in the Carpathians, a project implemented by UNEP/GRID-Warsaw Centre, a compe- tition was held for local initiatives related to the development of green infrastructure. It was intended to provide support for cooperation and partnerships among local stakehold- ers in Carpathian municipalities – primarily local authorities and local action groups (LAG 121

– associations of communes and other entities oriented towards local development), with the participation of other organisations and entities as well as local residents – to ensure proper space management. Entrants were asked to submit proposals for a local case study together with an action plan for shaping green infrastructure to preserve nature and landscape values of the Carpathians and support sustainable development of an individual municipality or a larger area. Initiatives of quite varied nature could be submitted to the competition, which could be either auton- omous and self-contained projects or elements (fragments) of a broader, long-term activity of a given Competition Team. Example themes, along with the actual case studies serving as best practices, are presented in the next chapter (III.2). Nevertheless, by appropriately defining the competition rules, and also by structuring an online form through which the Teams submitted their case studies to the competition, we sought to persuade the applicants to plan their initiatives in a thoughtful manner, taking into account the various aspects, stages and elements that are necessary to achieve strong results. Thus, the competition rules were in a sense intended to provide “step by step guidance” through the entire process of prepar- ing a local project. In this chapter, we adapted these rules to present a helpful, or so we hope, “action algorithm” for planning and putting into practice one’s own ideas. 1. Diagnosis preliminary diagnosis of the current situation should be carried out with regard to green infrastructure resources and condition, and also the local conditions impacting on its devel- opment, i.e. protecting the existing green infrastructure arrangements and/or creating new ones. This diagnosis should include the following elements: 1) general characteristics of the area’s nature and landscape assets; 2) assessment of green infrastructure resources and condition – including a field inventory and mapping of green and blue infrastructure elements within the selected area that are relevant to the project, broken down into individual categories (described in chapter I.1). It would be worthwhile to incorporate the results of inventory taking and mapping into the municipal spatial information resource base and visualize (view) them through, for example, the geoportal (GIS diagnosis of the conditions for shaping green infrastructure – see chapter II.1.1; using geoinformation tools – see chapter III.5). This could prove very helpful at the stage of planning the scale, scope, and location of the project while taking into account the local spatial conditions. When summarizing the results, the following questions should be addressed: ◆ which green infrastructure elements are dominant? ◆ what is their conservation status? 122

◆ do the mapped elements form a coherent spatial configuration or arrangement – both within the area selected for mapping and in the surrounding space? ◆ what are the conclusions from the green infrastructure inventory/mapping made from the point of view of protecting and shaping of the municipality’s nature and landscape assets?? 3) identification of the most important threats to green infrastructure and ecological connectivity (see chapter II.1.2 and subchapters in part II.2 of the guide); 3) review of the provisions of planning documents of municipalities and other entities, e.g. municipal, provincial etc. development strategies, so that such provisions are taken into account adequately (see chapters II.2.4 and II.2.5); 4) level of public awareness and engagement: conducting a survey among residents and other stakeholders such as members of local organisations, school students, visitors to the Municipality Office. A sample questionnaire for such survey is available (in Polish) on the project’s website www.zielonainfrastruktura. karpatylacza.pl as an editable file for downloading (along with introductory survey instructions) under the KONKURS module. You are welcome to use them; 6. finally: conducting a SWOT analysis: based on the diagnosis made, fill out the standard matrix to summarize the identified positive factors (strengths and opportunities) and negative ones (weaknesses and threats/risks) found in the local conditions for shaping green infrastructure. SWOT ANALYSIS Positive Negative Strengths Weaknesses Internal Opportunities Threats (organisational features) External (environmental features) 2. The problem and the theme Based on the diagnosis made: define the problem to be addressed. In other words: what problem would be addressed or mitigated by the planned project? What should be the project’s leading topic? What would it relate to? 3. Information campaign 123

Photo: Monika Ankudowicz An important element of any project is to ensure that it receives proper publicity – both at the planning stage (when its design and concept are determined) and at the stage of its imple- mentation and popularisation (promotion) of the project’s effects. Especially those projects that require some degree of engagement and acceptance on the part of the local community – which is in fact the case of (almost) all projects – must be properly communicated to their recipients and participants. This ensures that they are not only kept in the information loop as to what is happening around them but also encouraged to become involved (at a minimum: to express their opinions). Involving residents in a project, or planning and implementing it in a participation-oriented manner, not only increases their understanding and acceptance but also generates a valuable sense of ownership and co-responsibility for the common cause and strengthens the project’s results. The current level of awareness and engagement can be determined already at the diagnosis stage, e.g. by means of the survey mentioned above. A local information campaign regarding the conservation role of green infrastructure may be developed and carried out in the form of selected actions (e.g. a stand at a local event, information provided on the municipality’s website or at meetings with residents or during school activities etc.) addressed to local community members and tourists, informing them about the role and importance of green infrastructure and the benefits resulting from its conservation for improving nature and land- scape assets and for local development. 124

4. Project conspectus / plan It would be a good idea to break down the planned project into its basic components, just as other project proposals to be submitted for consideration of financing institutions are constructed, and for a good reason. Thus, a conspectus should preferably include the following main elements: a) objectives (or why?) What are the principal objectives of the planned project? How are they related to the identified problem? How do they follow from the preliminary diagnosis of the space (including the SWOT analysis)? b) expected results (or where are we heading?) How would the expected results contribute to addressing or mitigating the identified problem? What benefits would result from the project’s implementation for the municipalities and their residents? Improved landscape assets? Enhancement of ecosystem services? Improved municipality development potential (for example, development of eco-friendly tourism)? c) project location (or where?) n which municipality (or perhaps municipalities?) or in which its/their part they will be imple- mented? In the surroundings of (within) which locality…? Other geographic information, e.g. in the …. massif, along the … river, in the… forest or … park, etc. Would the planned project be implemented within or in the close vicinity of a protected area or object? If yes, then what type of area is that and what protection regulations apply there (see chapter II.2.4)? In what manner is the planned action complementary to the natural or landscape assets under protection within the specific area – for example, reinforces green infrastructure in its immediate surroundings? 125

d) partnerships, entities involved (or with whom?) What other entities are required to effectively implement the project considering, for example, its spatial scale and the role and scope of competence for shaping the space (see chapter III.4)? Institutions: ◆ adjacent municipality/municipalities ◆ union of municipalities ◆ local action group ◆ district self-government authority (starost’s office) ◆ provincial self-government authority (marshal’s office) ◆ regional directorate for environmental protection ◆ national/landscape park authority ◆ forest district authority ◆ regional water management authority ◆ civic organisation/NGO ◆ school ◆ scientific / academic institution Persons: ◆ municipality residents (including farmers and other land owners/users); ◆ students and teachers ◆ village heads ◆ local leaders and social activists ◆ local entrepreneurs 126

e) planned actions (or what, how, how much and when?) What specific actions are planned under the project? Should it be broken down into stages, which need to be arranged in a specific timetable or logical sequence (for example, because the results of one stage are required for the next step to be implemented)? What is the timeframe for implementing them? How much time is needed (weeks, months…) for individual stages and when they should be carried out (for example, given the seasonality of nature processes)? f) required resources (or with what?) What resources are required to implement the project – for example: ◆ materials (including e.g. seedlings) ◆ equipment, tools ◆ documents and procedures (permits, approvals, project documentation, administrative resolutions etc.) ◆ communication and promotion tools (website, social and traditional media etc.) g) financing (or how much and where to get it from?) What would be the indicative costs of implementing the planned project, its financial scale? What own means (financial or in-kind contribution, e.g. labour or materials) we or our partners have at our/their disposal? What funds can be considered? For example, regional (e.g. regional operational programs), national (e.g. from the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management) or EU-based (e.g. LIFE Programme, Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment) or other (e.g. Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area – so-called “Norwegian Funds”)? What is the timetable of grant competitions? What are the thematic areas and the rules for seeking funds? 127

Photo: Krzysztof Haase III.2 The range of opportunities and good practices This chapter outlines a broad range of possible initiatives and actions that may be undertaken or pursued in connection with the shaping of green (and blue) infrastructure at the local level. We would like to impart to the readers a sense that there are indeed a great many possibilities in this field. Each person, group, organisation or institution may – within the area of its particular activity – make its own contribution and engage in efforts to conserve or reinforce the green and blue infrastructure in its environment. The preceding chapter (III.1 Step by step) describes the competition for local initiatives – case studies relating to the shaping of green infrastructure, which was held as part of our Project. We included in that chapter the guidelines for planning such initiative, which are derived precise- ly from the scheme for the competition entry, based on the idea of providing “step-by-step guidance” through the stages and elements of preparing a local initiative, which are important in our view. In this chapter we would like to outline the range of options and opportunities that we presented it to potential competition entrants as a source of inspiration, and annexed to the competition rules. In the second part of this chapter, we describe in greater detail the competition works that we received and which serve as examples of good practices developed under our Project regarding local actions for green and blue infrastructure development. SAMPLE THEMES, TOPICS AND FORMS OF LOCAL INITIATIVE RELATING TO THE DEVELOPMEN OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE THEMATIC AREA: “Greening of the municipality 1. Protected areas and objects in the municipality (this means the forms of nature protection established by the local authority’s resolution: nature monuments, ecological grounds, 128

nature and landscape complexes, documentation sites): ◆ developing documentation for a new protected area; ◆ setting up a new protected area; ◆ any measures in support of conservation and/or sustainable use of an existing protected area – including issuing positive opinions under consultation procedures regarding management of protected areas under the responsibility of, for example, regional self-government (landscape parks), including an extension of the existing area or the establishment of a new one; ◆ constructive participation in the Local Cooperation Team’s activities pertaining to the management of Natura 2000 sites. 2. Development of a concept / strategy for the conservation and enhancement of green infrastructure in the municipality as an important driver for sustainable local develop- ment; incorporating such issues into existing municipality development strategies. 3. Urban green areas: ◆ „green revitalisation” of urban space: management (enhancement, revitalisation) of urban green areas; ◆ developing green areas, expanding the coverage of biologically active surfaces. 4. Traditional agriculture / land cultivation ◆ measures in support and for the development of organic farming, traditional varieties of crop plants; ◆ supporting traditional forms of land cultivation and farming, including hay and pastoral farming; ◆ use of the CAP’s (Rural Development Programme’s) instruments for farmers: greening (ecological focus areas), providing support for the preparation and implementation of commitments under the agri-environmental-climatic scheme. 5. Private green areas: gardens, balconies, etc. ◆ nature friendly design, setting up new ones; przyrodzie projektowanie, urządzenie; ◆ promoting native species of garden and balcony plants. 129

6. Blue infrastructure (watercourses, bodies of water, wetlands, etc.) – maintaining or improv- ing the condition of blue infrastructure in order to enhance hydrographic conditions, to achieve improved water retention, better storm water management, better water quality (remediation), drought and flood prevention, etc. THEMATIC AREA: “Greening of spatial policy” 1. Producing or updating planning documents or other documents pertaining to spatial plan- ning and management, area development, land use, landscape protection, etc., such as: ◆ the local master plan; ◆ the study of conditions and directions of spatial development; ◆ an ecophysiographic study; ◆ nature inventory, problem analysis of green infrastructure; ◆ a mini-survey of landscape protection conditions; ◆ contribution to the local revitalisation programme (in the context of cultural landscape protection); 2. Investment procedures: ensuring proper conditions for the delivery of municipality invest- ments (or any investments planned under other projects) in terms of their impact on the environment, nature resources, the landscape. 3. Practical measures to implement the provisions of the Code of Good Practice for Shaping Space in the Carpathians (mentioned in chapter II.2.5): audits of planning documents, municipality development strategies, decision-making processes, etc. as compared to the Code’s provisions, etc. THEMATIC AREA: “Green tourism” Tourism as an especially important form of economic activity the development of which largely depends on the nature and landscape assets of a given region. 1. Developing a network of tourist routes / trails for sport-based tourism (hiking, biking, canoeing, horse riding, skiing) and educational and nature study paths: ◆ designation of new trails and paths or development of the existing ones; ◆ taking care of small-scale infrastructure that accompanies trails and paths (resting places, 130

scenic viewpoints, infrastructure to facilitate movement while limiting human pressure Photo: Piotr Mikołajczyk at the same time: preventing the trampling of land along the route, etc.); ◆ information elements accompanying trails (information boards, digital maps with trails, etc.), to propagate the area’s nature values. 2. Sustainable planning and development of tourist and recreational infrastructure based on the municipality’s natural and scenic values and minimizing adverse impacts on these values (limiting the anthropogenic pressure). 3. Taking green infrastructure (natural and scenic values of the municipality’s space) into account as an important component in the development of a local tourist product. 4. The drawing up and implementation of a „business plan” for sustainable development of tourism based on natural and scenic values, as an important of branch of local economy. In each of the above-mentioned areas, it is possible to identify certain universal, cross-cutting aspects. Such aspects include undoubtedly the concern for biodiversity and the commit- ment to improve its condition, given its potential to provide important ecosystem services. Moreover, in practically all of these areas vitally important is public awareness (education) and engagement, and also harmonious cooperation and partnerships that are established between various groups and entities affecting the shape and condition of green and blue infrastructure. 131

GOOD PRACTICES – A DESCRIPTION OF THE LOCAL CASE STUDIES SUBMITTED TO THE COMPETITION HELD UNDER THE PROJECT Nine entries were eventually submitted to the competition. Five equal-ranking winners (laureates) were selected, and one entry was granted a special distinction. However, all of the initiatives are described in this publication as an expression of our gratitude and recognition for all the competition Teams which demonstrated their commitment to the preservation and development of green and blue infrastructure in their vicinity. Wherever possible, we supplemented the descriptions of the case studies submitted to the competition with information on other, subsequent, actions carried out by the participants outside the competition in implementing their initiatives, some of the elements of which were financed with the Project funds. All the descriptions published below – as well as the links to any additional materials produced as part of the implementation of the proposed actions – can also be found (in Polish) on the project’s website: www.zielonainfrastruktura.karpatylacza.pl, under the KONKURS (Compe- tition) module. The English version of the Project website, on the other hand, presents a brief summary of the competition and its results – please see the LOCAL CASE STUDIES – COMPE- TITION module at http://en.zielonainfrastruktura.karpatylacza.pl The “Bielsko-Biała” Team (Laureate) The Team was composed of the following entities: ◆ City Council of Bielsko-Biała ◆ Bielsko-Biała City Development Office ◆ “Olszówka” Association Theme Protection of natural values through the development of green infrastructure within the Cygański Las (Gypsy Forest) nature-and-landscape complex in Bielsko-Biała. 132

Beech woods in the „Gypsy Forest”. Photo: Beata Żukiewicz Project rationale / status diagnosis The fragment of Śląski (Silesian) Beskid found within the city of Bielsko-Biała consists of the municipal forest of the Bielsko-Biała municipality and the Bielsko Forest District’s forest, occupying an area of approx. 2350 ha. In that forest complex, there are numerous streams, forest meadows. Approximately 400 species of vascular plants have been identified, including many rare, protected species. Numerous amphibians and birds are found there; also wolves have been observed in the area. This is a valuable area in terms of nature, landscape, economic activity (productive forest), tourism and recreation, as well as for cultural and political reasons. Unfortunately, it is subject to strong anthropogenic pressures. Despite the fact the area was given statutory protection (Natura 2000 refuge, the Beskid Śląski Landscape Park, two nature reserves, the Cygański Las and Dolina Wapienicy nature-and-landscape complexes, many nature monuments), it is difficult to protect it in practice – so as to strike a balance among all its functions and the frequently divergent needs of its users (residents, tourists, cyclists, foresters, hunters, paintball fans, etc.). Numerous hiking trails have been designated, and recently an Enduro Trails track (bicycle paths) has been opened to the public. Illegal quad and off-road motorcycle traffic can be observed. 133

The greatest threat to the preservation of ecological connectivity is a lack of balance between man and nature resulting from too many functions having been allowed, in particular the tour- ism and recreation-related functions, and specifically due to the adverse impact of intensive hiking and biking activity in the Cygański Las area. Another important challenge is the lack of proper management of blue infrastructure, including, for example, the failure to secure the banks of mountain streams, which become degraded as a result of rapid bankfull overflows that occur during heavy rainfalls. On the other hand, there are not enough retention reservoirs (small ponds and bodies of water) in view of the observable climate changes (long periods without rain), which also has adverse consequences for the animal and plant life. Project area The project area concerns the Cygański Las nature-and-landscape complex. It is located within the administrative boundaries of the city of Bielsko-Biała and encompasses the northern slopes of the Kozia Góra, Kołowrót and Równia Mountains. It is situated within the Beskid Śląski Landscape Park and its buffer zone, which is the Beskid Śląski Natura 2000 refuge (PLH240005). The proposed measures also take into account the areas adjacent to the complex, that is the Bielskie Błonia (city commons) and the Bielsko Forest District area that lies within the bounda- ries of the city of Bielsko-Biała along with the Dolina Wapienicy nature-and-landscape complex. Local initiative / case study The project aims to protect natural values within the area of Cygański Las nature-and-landscape complex in Bielsko-Biała through the proper management of green and blue infrastructure. Another objective is the sustainable planning and development of tourist and recreational „Na Błoniach” water reservoir. Photo: Piotr Mikołajczyk 134

infrastructure in order to limit the adverse human impact resulting from excessive exploitation of that area for tourism and recreation purposes. The Cygański Las is a place of encounter for people of all ages, parents and grandparents with children, tourists, cycling fans, naturalists, and foresters. Therefore, these various functions should be kept separate in a proper and possibly non-invasive manner, especially where they collide. It is planned to create small-scale infrastructure along tourist trails and paths; for example, an information and education booth next to the small body of water in the vicinity of Bielsko’s Błonie, together with an educational path. Furthermore, the plans include the construction of barriers preventing the trampling or rutting by vehicles of sites of particularly high nature value. Such traffic will be given proper direction through appropriate marking of sites of particularly high nature value, by securing collision points where tourist traffic intersects with extreme biking traffic on the Enduro Trails paths, etc. Another group of measures relates to the strengthening of blue infrastructure. It is planned to secure the existing body of water against being overgrown with vegetation, eliminate invasive plants, e.g. “copper tops” (Impatiens glandulifera) and small balsam (Impatiens parviflora) or Japanese knotweed, and also to create places for additional water retention and amphibian breeding: construction of local recesses in the ground allowing storage of greater amounts of water. The above measures are complemented by ecological education activities for residents in the form of local workshops on the shaping of green infrastructure. Persons sharing the common space must be made aware of the need to protect and use sustainably the environment in the high nature value area that lies on the city’s outskirts. It is planned to create an information and didactic path regarding the animal and plant life there, in particular amphibians (information boards, leaflets). These actions are intended to contribute to the improvement of biodiversity. Likewise, regula- tory ecosystem services (hydrological cycle, erosion control) and cultural services (recreation, tourism, education, historical and cultural roots inspiration) will also be strengthened. According to the Team, the described actions can be carried out on several levels, such as: ◆ institutional and formal legal (a “fresh, green” approach to local law making, such as the local master plan, the study of conditions and directions of spatial development, development strategies); ◆ educational and information, with the intention to disseminate knowledge about the role, status and importance of green infrastructure; 135

Fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra). Photo: Beata Żukiewicz ◆ introducing and providing support for a participatory model through activities undertaken jointly by local self-governments, associations, and the general public for the sake of natural environment, its protection, and the shaping of natural and landscape values. Partnerships In addition to the formal members of the Competition Team, project participants included institutions with supervisory responsibilities for the project area, given their statutory tasks and competences, that is the Regional Directorate of Environmental Protection – Field Office in Bielsko-Biała, the State Forests – Bielsko Forest District, or the Landscape Parks of the Silesian Voivodship. Description of actions Already during the preparation of the competition entry, the Team conducted a survey regarding the awareness of and interest in the subject of green infrastructure among city residents (several hundred respondents), both in a traditional manner and in an electronic format. It also carried out information activities – with the assistance from UNEP/GRID-Warsaw – during a large public event: the Good Energy Festival, in June 2019. A local inventory and mapping of green infrastructure was performed in the selected site, with a focus on blue infrastructure elements as distinctive in an almost totally forested area. The mapped elements were referenced to a broader spatial context, taking into account the forms of nature conservation and the entire vast area that includes, inter alia, the Szyndzielnia, Klimczok 136

and Błatnia Massif, their northern slopes and valleys. When seen against this background, the inventoried elements, which included mostly the blue infrastructure, form a cohesive spatial arrangement. The conservation status of the inventoried elements was assessed as moderate, which led to the conclusion that additional measures must be taken to strengthen the envi- ronmental functions and importance of green and blue infrastructure. This inventory exercise demonstrates the need for comprehensive actions intended to strengthen the importance of the concept of green and blue infrastructure in the public mind. The financing received under the project was used by the Team to produce a short nature film and to construct an educational shed. The film, entitled “The Green Surroundings of the City of Bielsko-Biała – for nature and resi- dents”, presents the elements of green and blue infrastructure, such as forests, wetlands, bodies of water, along with their wildlife, existing within the boundaries of the city of Bielsko-Biała. It also deals with the role of high nature value areas for humans and nature, as well as the needs and methods to develop and use them in a sustainable manner. The educational shed, which was built in Bielsko’s Błonie area, offers content about amphibians and reptiles living in the Beskid Śląski, within the boundaries of Bielsko-Biała, and also about local tree species and the functions they perform for the surrounding area. It is intended primarily as an aid in outdoor classes and to educate the residents. Educational shed in Bielsko-Biała. Photo: Beata Żukiewicz 137

The “Łapanów” Team (Laureate) The Competition Team was composed of Łapanów Municipality and the “Raba Valley” Local Action Group. Theme Enhancing the role of green infrastructure and space in the municipality’s policy by carrying out an inventory necessary to develop an ecophysiographic study which takes into account landscape features, and by identifying crucial spots in the municipality that require immediate intervention. Project rationale / status diagnosis The Municipality does not have an ecophysiographic study, which is a basic document for the prevention of space degradation, as well as an element protecting people and property. Moreover, local community does not have sufficient knowledge about nature, sometimes resulting in the destruction of green infrastructure (thereby disrupting ecological connectivity). It is therefore necessary to create long-term educational activities and define the direction of development of green structures, as well as to identify the areas requiring quick assistance such as planting of additional trees, shrubs, restoration of field margins etc.. The purpose of the ecophysiograpic study is to enable the planning of further measures within the space. Project area The project covers the area of the Łapanów commune. The sites selected for problem analysis to illustrate the municipality’s challenges in relation to green infrastructure included: the surroundings of the market square, the Trzcianka and Stradomka lagoon and valley, and the agricultural area in the middle section of the Boczów municipality. The project area includes the following forms of nature conservation: Natura 2000 Tarnawka site, the Western Wiśnickie Foothills Protected Landscape Area, and a nature monument: a common oak (Quercus robur) on the market square of Łapanów. Local initiative / case study The overriding objective is to produce the said study (“mini ecophysiographics”), while ensuring concurrently that the planning documents contain provisions stating that it is necessary to 138

Panoramic view of Łapanów commune. Source: Łapanów Commune archives maintain field margins and mid-field green vegetation so that ecological connectivity can be preserved, and concerning the special protection of waterside habitats – since this area is rich in running surface waters. Another objective of the project is to develop a plan for shaping green infrastructure that is consistent with the provisions of the Code of Good Practice for Shaping Space in the Carpathians. Special emphasis would be placed on the preservation of open spaces as a landscape feature of the Carpathians and a resource for the development of the region and the welfare of its inhabitants. Concurrently, educational activities for residents are to be conducted. It was also planned to record the current state of green infrastructure in the mapped area to enable the tracking of changes and prevent unfavourable ones. As part of the project, natural resources (especially those not under legal protection) were to be identified as well. Expected results: ◆ preservation of open spaces as a valuable resource of the municipality, ◆ local nature, cultural and landscape assets will be taken into account when setting investment targets for the municipality’s spatial development, ◆ monitoring of the conservation status of green structures and the identification of remedial measures will be incorporated into the municipality’s long-term policy, ◆ educational assistance will be provided to residents and local government officials with regard to the planning process and the concept of early age education on the Carpathian space and the Carpathian Convention put into practice. 139

Market square in Łapanów with an old monumental common oak. Source: Łapanów Commune archives Partnerships The Team’s partners are the municipalities of Żegocina and Trzciana. In addition, a number of small local community organisations were engaged in this project. Description of actions An inventory was performed already at the stage of preparation of the competition entry. It was carried out by the Team under the supervision of the Municipality’s Agriculture, Tourism and Promotion Section and its Infrastructure and Environmental Protection Section, after a “paper” inventory was completed and the important locations were selected for inspection and mapping. The first to be identified was a heavily urbanized area, which is subject to the strongest anthro- pogenic pressure (central part of the municipality, which includes the town of Łapanów), and subsequently four different spots typifying the issue of spatial conflicts with respect to green infrastructure. Next, that area was mapped in terms of: greenery accompanying the Tarnawka/Stradomka stream, conservation status of greenery in the vicinity of the market square in Łapanów, and the presence and condition of mid-field field margins and windbreaks. A survey of residents of the Łapanów municipality was conducted regarding the awareness of and interest in the subject of green infrastructure, by way of an e-form that was available on Łapanów’s municipal website, on the Municipality’s profile on Facebook, and also using a print- ed version provided in a generally accessible location in the Municipality Office building, the Cultural Centre of the Łapanów Municipality and in two schools operated in the municipality. 140

Information activities regarding green infrastructure and the competition were conducted through the Municipality Office (on the municipal website and on the Facebook profile) and through educational classes held in schools. The Team allocated the funds received as part of the award to the performance of a problem analysis of green infrastructure in the Łapanów Municipality in the context of the municipality’s spatial development. That analysis contains a diagnosis of the condition and functioning of the municipality’s natural environment, including: a description of characteristic features of environmental elements and their interconnections, an assessment of the connectivity and cohesiveness of green infrastructure (including ecological corridors and with the specification of problem areas), assessment of landscape features, the potential for environmental protection, and a preliminary forecast of further changes taking place in the environment. The study also provides an analysis and assessment of the validity of existing planning docu- ments and whether the existing local master plan is consistent with the features and potential of the natural environment. It identifies the conditions and directions of spatial development (for future planning documents) – with respect to the prevention of green infrastructure frag- mentation in the municipality. Finally, planting of native tree species was performed along the shores of the Łapanów recreational reservoir in attempt to enhance green infrastructure serving as the buffer zone around a body of water. Stradomka river near Brzezowa. Photo: Hanna Hrehorowicz-Gaber 141

The “Ochotnica Dolna” Team (Laureate) The Team was composed of the following entities: ◆ Ochotnica Dolna Municipality ◆ “Friends of the Dunajec Valley” Association Theme Creation of a publication about the ecosystem of the Ochotnica stream on the basis of a nature inventory of the Ochotnica Valley and the Little Dunajec River Gorge in Tylmanowa, and also of the educational space areas along the Ochotnica stream and the Dunajec river under the auspices of local schools. Project rationale / status diagnosis The Ochotnica catchment area still represents the ecological potential of which the adjacent, heavily transformed tributaries of the Dunajec River have already been deprived. Undrained meadows, riparian forests and Carpathian beech and mixed fir-and-beech forests provide shade for streams flowing at long stretches in unregulated channels. Natural breeding of brook trout occurs in the Ochotnica and in its tributaries. This catchment area offers a chance for survival of the grayling population that is disappearing from the Dunajec River. The Ochotnica Stream with its tributaries is a “blue link” between the protected areas that are numerous in this region, such as the Natura 2000 Gorczańska Refuge and the Popradzka Refuge, the Gorce National Park with its buffer zone, the Popradzki Landscape Park with its buffer zone, and smaller protected areas such the Kłodne nad Dunajcem Nature Reserve. It lacks skiing infrastructure, which aggressively impacts the water environment. Also of large importance is the design of the municipal water supply and sewage system, which sends treated wastewater to the Dunajec River, rather to the much smaller Ochotnica Stream. The status quo has a positive impact on the current conditions in the latter’s drainage area. Nevertheless, dynamic development of housing, road and municipal systems infrastructure, as well as of tourism, within the Ochotnica Dolna Municipality entails threats to the blue infrastructure of the Ochotnica valley, including the preservation of ecological permeability of 142

Furcówka creek in Ochotnica Górna area. Source: „Friends of Dunajec River” Association the stream, the maintenance of its current condition in terms of water quality and resources. Watercourse regulation, especially when it is lawless and/or made improperly, limits the ability of fish to migrate, which in the case of species typical for this area – the brook trout and the grayling – is crucial importance for the maintenance of the natural population which is based on fish that spawn naturally. The increasing house construction in the valley and the regulation of watercourses disturb the fundamental natural function of the river basin as an ecological corridor. Land drainage and house construction in the close vicinity of the watercourses leads to the disappearance of undrained waterlogged meadows and riparian forests, which fulfil the role of natural treatment plants, reducing eutrophication of watercourses and improving water quality. This reduces natural water self-purification processes. In addition, regulation of streams and reduction of floodplains limits the process of natural water retention: water flows from the valley are faster and the valley gradually dries out, thus increasing flood hazards in the periods of bankfull overflows. The issue of water, that is of water resources and their quality, is the key to further development in the municipality’s development plan. This is a huge asset of the municipality, but it requires protection and a reasonable approach on the part of its residents. There is a need for a broadly based education effort towards the local community and tourists, contributing to the protection of the catchment area and eliminating threats to this area of high nature value. Project area The project area is coterminous with that of the Ochotnica Dolna municipality, encompassing 143

the Ochotnica Stream valley with its tributaries and a portion of the middle section of the Dunajec River within the boundaries of the Ochotnica municipality, so called Little Dunajec River Gorge in Tylmanowa. However, the spatial scale of the project is even broader: the protection of water resources and their quality within the project area will have a positive influence also on water quality in the areas situated further downstream the Dunajec River. The project covers rural areas under extensive agricultural production with a relatively minor presence of agricultural chemical materials, and also sizeable forest areas (more than 50% of the municipality’s area), presenting a real opportunity for the conservation of natural environment typical for Carpathian valleys. The entire area constitutes an element of the network of ecological corridors between the following nature conservation areas:: ◆ Gorce National Park with its buffer zone; ◆ Popradzki Landscape Park with its buffer zone; ◆ Natura 2000 areas: Middle Dunajec River with Tributaries (PLH120088), Gorczańska Refuge (PLH120018). Local initiative / case study The project’s aims include the education of the local community and its commitment to the protection and respect for the natural environment – green and blue infrastructure within the project area. The expected results are: ◆ reduction or elimination of the problem of depositing waste and wastewater emissions in the Ochotnica catchment area; ◆ greater awareness of the local community - including creating new educational opportunities for your people with regard to the protection of natural environment; ◆ enhanced attractiveness of the municipality to tourists ◆ improved water quality in the catchment area; ◆ determination of retention capacity of the Ochotnica valley and the initiation of introduction of small-scale retention plans in the catchment area; ◆ identification of threats to the natural environment and their reduction; 144

Dunajec river, downstream from the mouth of Ochotnica. Source: „Friends of Dunajec River” Association ◆ protection of biodiversity, maintenance of natural permeability of watercourses as ecological corridors. In order to preserve the current condition of the catchment area and with a view to improving it, the following measures were planned under the project: ◆ comprehensive hydromorphological and hydrobiological inventory of the Ochotnica Valley and the Little Dunajec River Gorge in Tylmanowa with respect to (a) the ecological value and ecological permeability of particular sections that make up the Ochotnica blue network; (b) the identification and localization of threats, such as ill-considered land drainage and watercourse regulations, uncontrolled and illegal wastewater discharge or landfilling of waste or municipal system deficiencies; ◆ production of a nature study based on the inventory; the results of actions related to the reintroduction of salmonoids in streams of the Ochotnica Valley; ◆ establishment of a network of educational space areas along the Ochotnica Stream for the local community and tourists, consisting of four points along the Ochotnica Stream and one or two by the Dunajec River in Tylmanowa – and the didactic path linking them, devoted to the ecosystem of the Ochotnica and the Dunajec catchment area. That space will include areas that are attractive from a natural point of view and suitable for protection, initially in the form of ecological sites. Each of these areas has different characteristics; namely that of: ◆ riparian forest; 145

◆ waterlogged undrained meadow; ◆ stone stream channel with fish spawning grounds; ◆ stream current with a rock pattern typical for the Carpathian flysch; ◆ wide river valley surrounded by Carpathian beech or mixed fir-and-beech forests. The long-term goal is the continued engagement with the created space by local young people and teaching staff as part of field classes of schools from the Ochotnica Dolna Municipality (nature, biology, chemistry and geography lessons in the field). The plans include the cyclical monitoring of water quality and the condition of water ecosystem of the Ochotnica Stream and the Dunajec River with their participation. Long-term measures are planned to maintain and improve ecological permeability, to localize and eliminate, and to modernize in some cases, anthropogenic partitions (barriers) on watercourses, and educate the community about the harmful effects of construction of such partitions. Partnerships Ochotnica Dolna and the “Friends of the Dunajec Valley” Association, which are formal members of the Competition Team, established cooperation with entities that are relevant to the project’s objective and topic (blue infrastructure). These entities include: ◆ Nowy Sącz District of the Polish Angling Association (PZW); its Management Board provides supports the competition project as such and the other related activities, such as the reintroduction or monitoring of fish populations in the river basin. Local anglers who are members of the local PZW units are a strong group committed to the protection of the Dunajec and Ochotnica rivers; ◆ Regional Directorate of Environmental Protection in Cracow; ◆ Regional Water Management Authority in Cracow – Nowy Targ Water Supervision District; ◆ primary school students and teachers in the Ochotnica Dolna municipality; ◆ village heads in Ochotnica Górna, Ochotnica Dolna and Tylmanowa; ◆ Rural Cultural Centres in Ochotnica Górna, Ochotnica Dolna and Tylmanowa; ◆ Ochotnica Dolna Municipality residents. The Teams is also seeking to broaden its cooperation with the adjacent municipalities of Łącko and Krościenko nad Dunajcem, which are situated along the Dunajec (the former: downstream, 146

the latter: upstream from Ochotnica Dolna). Spawn incubator of the river trout (Salmo trutta m. fario) in Forendowski Stream. Source: „Friends of Dunajec River” Association Description of actions As part of the preparation of the competition entry, the Team conducted – as an element of the necessary information activities – a survey regarding the public awareness of and interest in the subject of green and blue infrastructure. The survey was conducted in Spring 2019. The questionnaire was distributed over the Internet to more than 1000 individuals associated with the “Friends of the Dunajec Valley” Association. The topic of green and blue infrastructure was addressed by the initiative run by the Associ- ation with the Municipality’s assistance: the year-long Nature and Angling School for young people, and also during an ecological picnic held in the municipality (with the participation of UNEP/GRID-Warsaw Centre representatives) and three times at an annual event called Trout Festival, devoted to the issue of protecting the Dunajec natural resources (August 2019 and 2020, September 2021 – also with the participation of UNEP/GRID-Warsaw Centre personnel). The mapping and inventory of green and blue infrastructure elements included the areas adjacent to watercourses within the Ochotnica catchment area. The condition, diversity and quantity of green infrastructure elements was assessed very positively, with the key factor being the state of blue infrastructure, which is the focus of this project. The Team allocated the funds received as part of the award to purchases of equipment: a spec- trophotometer and a portable pH-meter, as well as a cuvette test kits for spectrophotometric analysis of many parameters of surface waters. Such analyses are used to assess surface water 147

quality in the catchment areas of the Ochotnica Stream and the Dunajec River, within the area of the Ochotnica Dolna Municipality. The measurements cover the current state of surface water quality and hydromorphological and hydrobiological conditions of the catchment areas of the Ochotnica Stream and the Little Fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra). Source: „Friends of Dunajec River” Association Dunajec River Gorge. It is planned to continue the long-term, cyclical monitoring of water quality in the catchment area – with the participation of young people (students of Ochotnica Dolna Municipality schools and the youth active in the “Friends of the Dunajec Valley” Association). Based on the results of the monitoring, a plan of remedial and preventative measures will be developed – to be put in practice by the local authorities, the association and other institutions in order to improve the condition and protection of this extremely valuable portion of the Carpathians – along with educational materials in the form of a comprehensive nature study. The “Wisłoka” Team (Laureate) The Competition Team was formed by the Union of Wisłoka River Basin Municipalities. It is composed of the 22 municipalities situated within the Wisłoka catchment area (in the Podkarpackie and Małopolskie Voivodships): the City of Jasło, Biecz, Brzostek, Brzyska, Czarna, Chorkówka, Dębica, Miasto Dębica, Dębowiec, Jasło, Jedlicze, Jodłowa, Kołaczyce, Krempna, 148