The Terrain Centre for Ecological Education in Bieszczady National Park, Podkarpackie, has been modernised through a scheme backed by the EU’s Cohesion Fund. The upgraded centre, which was officially re-opened in September 2019, is located in a natural setting near the town of Suche Rzeki. It hosts educational programmes and practical courses for children and adults.
- 27 August 2020
The Bieszczady National Park conducts many important activities in the field of ecological education. I believe that the refurbished station will serve this purpose well. Thanks to the location, it will enable conducting educational classes in a wonderful environment, among wild nature.
The modernisation delivered a complete overhaul of the centre and included the construction of a 380 m2 extension block designed to blend in with the surroundings. The centre has enough space and guest rooms to cater for 26 people and provides disabled access throughout.
An audio-visual room, kitchenette and dining room were built. Innovative technologies for the delivery and use of renewable energy were included, such as a bank of solar panels situated near the centre.
Focus on education and learning
Every year, about 1 000 people are expected to participate in educational activities at the centre. These are designed for different age groups – from pre-schoolers to high school students and adults. They include ecological programmes for schoolchildren, workshops for local teachers and training courses for mountain guides and local government officials. The education programmes are for residents living near or in the park and visiting groups from across Poland.
Building a ‘social zone’
The centre is helping to create a social zone in the national park, which lets people enjoy nature while learning about issues relating to sustainability and conservation. The goal is to foster a sense of responsibility for nature, while increasing the knowledge and skills to: protect valuable local resources and landscapes; improve the management of local natural assets; and develop tourism based on the region’s natural, cultural and historic values.
The modernisation project was implemented through the Nature-Human-Culture – national parks for Podkarpackie educational programme.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Modernisation of the Terrain Centre for Ecological Education of Bieszczady National Park in Suche Rzeki” is EUR 444 882 (PLN 2 031 098), with the EU’s Cohesion Fund contributing EUR 307 450 (PLN 1 403 604) through the “Infrastructure and Environment” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Environment and resource efficiency”.