On October 20th, we celebrate International Landscape Protection Day, established by the Council of Europe at the initiative of Poland. This date was chosen to commemorate the signing of the European Landscape Convention in Florence in 2000. The General Directorate for Environmental Protection proposed establishing this day because, then and now, its goal is to raise public awareness of the value of landscape, its impact on quality of life, and the need for its protection.
Tag Archives: climate adaptation
We usually associate drought with summer – with parched lawns, wilting plants, and the need for frequent watering. However, we must remember that the problem of soil water deficiency affects all seasons. Although autumn is often perceived as a time of frequent rains and a respite from gardening, it is actually a crucial time to prepare the garden and farm for the coming season. Now is the time to take steps to better retain water, store it, and improve plant health in the coming months.
This year’s harvest has concluded. It’s a good time to review current practices and consider what we can do to improve soil health, increase drought resistance, and manage water more sustainably, as well as how to prepare for the next harvest. We discuss this with Patryk Kokociński, a farmer who irrigates his fields naturally, utilizing landscape retention water. Thanks to his efforts, the “Życie na Pola!” Association for the Protection of Mid-Field Landscape was also established.
On May 27, one topic dominated in Cracow: how to effectively counteract the effects of drought in our country. Experts discussed the needs and achievements in this area, and students from fields related to water management presented their unconventional ideas. This was the first meeting of this type integrating them around the topic of combating drought. The 2nd “Stop Drought! Start Retention!” Conference, at the University of Agriculture in Cracow, was attended by nearly 200 people. The event was broadcast online on YouTube by Polish Waters.
A survey on the issue of drought in Poland and actions to counteract its effects will begin soon. At the same time, preparations are already underway for the second nationwide conference “Stop the Drought! Start Retention!” State Water Holding – Polish Waters is counting on just as much interest as during the first conference! The full recording of the previous event has been published on YouTube (link), and answers to the most frequently asked questions from participants have been published here (link).
The update of the Drought Effects Counteracting Plan (uDECP) aims to update the assessment of areas at risk of drought, as well as to review the directions of action proposed in the DECP.
On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, Mateusz Balcerowicz – Deputy President of the State Water Holding Polish Waters signed a contract to implement the project “Review and update of the Drought Effects Counteracting Plan” (uDECP).