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The State Forests National Forest Holding

The State Forests National Forest Holding is the largest organisation in the European Union managing forests, which belong to the State Treasury and celebrating its 90 anniversary this year.

Presently, we manage the area of one third of Poland's territory. Not long after the end of the Second World War, there was only 21 % of the area. Every year we plant 500 million of new trees, as we want Polish forests grow all the time.

Every year Polish foresters plant 500 million of trees.

85 % of nature reserves in Poland are located within the State Forests. 40 % of the forests managed by General Directorate of the State Forests are protected within the framework of European network Natura 2000. We fight against many threats: natural disasters, plaques of insects, trees' diseases, fires, pollutions, as well as poaching and vandalism.

Dbamy, by gospodarka leśna, dostarczająca na rynek drewno, surowiec uniwersalny i ekologiczny, prowadzona była zgodnie z zasadami zrównoważonego rozwoju (fot. P. Fabijański)

We take care the forestry supplying the market with timber, as ecological and universal material, to be carried on in accordance with rules of balanced development (photography P.Fabjański).

One of our major tasks is making forests accessible to the society. We invite you to take advantage of these beautifully located within the forest wilderness holiday resorts, forester's lodges or guest rooms. That is for you, we create thousand kilometres of hiking trails, cycling paths or camping sites. All the above mentioned, you can find in service www.czaswlas.pl.

We also take care the forestry supplying the market with timber, as ecological and universal material, to be carried on in accordance with rules of balanced development. We obtain over 30 million of cubic meters of wood annually, twice as much as at the beginning of the nineties of the XX century.

Despite of this, the average of wood abundance per hectare of our forests is one fourth bigger than 20 years ago and 40% bigger than the average of European Union currently amounts.

In Poland in sectors connected with the forestry, there work about 375 thousand of people. It means that each 40 working Pole works in the forest.

In Poland in sectors connected with the forestry, there work about 375 thousand of people. It means that each 40 working Pole works in the forest. The sector of wood processing works out approximately 8 % of our GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Among others, thanks to the timber from the State Forests Poland is the 10 largest producer of furniture in the world, and the 4 largest furniture exporter.

The State Forests employ 25 thousand people. That way we are the 9 biggest employer in Poland. Among the largest companies in our country it takes 22 place in respect of its incomes and 11 place in respect of its profits. The value of assets, we manage, reaches 300 million zl. If we add social values, it will be worth one billion zlotych. We do not use money from the budget, but we earn money on our own to support the business. In spite of the financial crisis, since 2002, we continuously note down profits. Moreover, we pay taxes amounting 1,3 billion zl annually.

87 % of Poles think, the foresters are competent. We willingly share our knowledge of Polish forests, of their history and of nature values with the others. We publish books, periodicals, brochures; we also administer the website www.lasy.gov.pl . For children, the youth and teachers, we prepared internet service "E-lynx' Lynx Forest" (www.erys.pl). Our staff has supported schools in field of nature education for years. We also organise many actions to let people broaden their knowledge about forest, nature and ecology.


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Tourist Attractions

Tourist Attractions

Nature reserves being sanctuaries for many protected plant and animal species, a 750-year-old natural monument (the oldest tree in Poland) or various forms of wildlife conservation that will amaze any nature lover – these are only some of the natural attractions that can be admired in the forests of Szprotawa Forest District.

750-year-old Pedunculate Oak named "Chrobry" is an exceptional specimen of the species on national scale.This unique natural monument grows in the Lower Silesian Wilderness, in the vicinity of "Buczyna Szprotawska" Nature Reserve, close to the village of Piotrowice and surprises the visitors with its massive size.

Chrobry Oak is over 750 years old. By Jerzy Wilanowski

"Buczyna Szprotawska" Nature Reserve being habitat for an extremely rare species, Edible Dormouse, is a must see as it is the largest reserve managed by Regional Directorate of the State Forests in Zielona Góra.

Other places of interest include:

  • "Annabrzeskie Wąwozy" Nature Reserve,
  • "Park Słowiański" Landscape-Nature Protected Complex,
  • Bóbr Valley, Dalkowskie Hills, Brzeźnica Valley, Szprotawka Valley and the Lower Silesian Wilderness – all qualified as nature parks,
  • Lower Kwisa Valley, Szprotawsko-Piotrowicka Beech Wood, Borowina (Peloid), Małomickie Riparian Forests, Przemkowskie Ponds and the Lower Silesian Wilderness – all of them included in the network of "Natura 2000" Protected Areas,
  • as well as areas of protected ecology, such as Owl's Bog, Crane's Bog, and Swan Ponds.

Trails leading to Park Słowiański. By Jerzy Wilanowski

Szprotawa Forest District can boast an excellent network of bicycle trails.

Szprotawa Forest District also includes a network of walking trails designed by PTTK (Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society) in Żary that combines natural and historic attractions of the area in a tourist-friendly form.