The goals of the project are to:

• protect 6,000 hectares of wetlands against drainage;
• promote local agreement on the objectives and methods of water management in the wetlands area; and
• elaborate a model solution for wetlands management in the vicinity of urban areas that reduces conflicts between social development and nature protection.

REC Poland is coordinating a consortium made up of representatives from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, the regional authority, the national park and the Polish Institute of Technology and Life Sciences. It is also responsible for carrying out educational and consultancy activities.

In 2015, REC Poland and the Kampinos National Park were nominated for the prestigious Polish Innovation Award due to the success of the project.

Project activities include:

• constructing 40 dikes and 2 km of channels against water drainage, and a 1 km dam to protect villages in the vicinity of the wetlands;
• purchasing over 120 hectares of flood-prone private land for rehabilitation;
• undertaking scientific studies to provide a basis for hydrological work;
• raising awareness among local stakeholders regarding water management;
• organising stakeholder consultations and negotiations to reduce conflicts between the interests of local communities and nature conservation objectives;
• organising 20 training events; and
• publishing posters and leaflets to raise public awareness.

• Awareness raising
• Communication and dissemination
• Capacity building
• Consultancy