Hiking rallies in the clean environment of protected areas of the Podkarpackie Region.

By project GREENHEALTH

Published on 17 June 2024

Poland

Podkarpackie

About this good practice

In the age of electronization and digitization, many people don’t know and don't appreciate the natural, scenic, historical and cultural values of their immediate surroundings.
They are also increasingly missing out on outdoor physical activities that benefit human health; lessons at school are based mainly on theory; people spend a lot of time in a virtual world. This situation needs to be changed, especially since various forms of nature conservation in the Podkarpackie Region cover 52% of the area, 32% of which are Natura 2000 sites.
One of the elements that connect people with nature and teach them to observe the impact of nature on their bodies are hiking rallies organized by the Complexes of Landscape Parks in Podkarpackie. The rallies/marches have been held periodically, several times a year for many years, and are aimed at promoting the natural and cultural values of the region and popularizing active forms of recreation.
The rallies organized by the Landscape Park Complexes in Przemyśl and Krosno along marked nature trails (5 rallies per year, each lasting 2-3 hours, followed by competitions and games with a snack) are mainly attended by school children and youth living in the landscapes parks, children from orphanages and senior citizens from the University of the Third Age. The State Forests and municipal offices cooperate in organizing the marches.
Until now more than 3,000 people have benefited from this form of physical activity and learning about nature.

Resources needed

2-3 people are needed each time, as guides for the group with good knowledge of the area and knowledge of nature conservation and its impact on human health/well-being. The costs amount to approximately €600 for each rally (snacks for participants and prizes for participation in competitions).

Evidence of success

The initiative has been implemented for many years, each year more than 300 people benefit from the rallies. Thanks to this initiative, it is possible to combine respect for nature, learning about the natural values of Podkarpackie and drawing attention to the health values of marches undertaken in forest areas. The initiative finds imitators in other forest land managers: walks with a forester have been organized since 2021 in many forest districts in Podkarpackie Region (for example: Dukla).

Potential for learning or transfer

Thanks to the rallies organized by the Landscape Park Complexes in Przemyśl and Krosno, the awareness of the people taking part is increasing: on the one hand, as to the immense natural values of the protected areas of Podkarpackie and the need to protect them, and on the other hand, the participants' awareness of how important it is to stay and move in a clean, unpolluted forest environment to maintain their well-being and health. The practice enables social integration and the acquisition of physical fitness. It also improves well-being, restores self-esteem and relieves stress. Targeting the practice primarily at children is crucial: so their proper health habits are formed.
Each rally is also an opportunity to discover and explore attractive places in the region. Participation in this form of activity is possible regardless of age, weight or gender.
This practice, due to its ease of organization and small financial outlay, can be carried out practically in any place in Europe.