Fourth Local Living Lab in Poland
The participants of the meeting were welcomed by Antoni Jeż - regional coordinator of the GREENHEALTH project, who gave an introduction on the the project implementation of the 2nd and 3rd semesters.
The coordinator discussed the inter-regional workshop in Croatia (November 22-23, 2023), where partners, including the Podkarpackie Region, presented their "Good Practices" and analysed which practices of other partners could be replicated.
The coordinator also reported on other activities in the 2nd and 3rd semesters of the project's implementation including: the 2nd semester report submitted to CPE, the participation of project staff in the "Europe, let's cooperate" conference in Antwerp on March 20-21, 2024, as well as second Inter-regional Learning Workshop in Ireland, to be held on May 22-23, 2024.
The floor was then taken by Anna Daleka - from the Department of Regional Economy, who presented the tasks to be carried out in the 4th semester (September 2024 - February 2025), of which the most important highlight will be the organization of an Interregional Learning Workshop combined with a study visit to the Podkarpackie Region. The theme of the event will be "Sustainable Inclusivity".
The next speaker was Prof. Idalia Kasprzyk, PhD, who presented the project: "Regional Initiative of Excellence", implemented by the University of Rzeszow, and which includes in its scope a comprehensive study of the environment in the region in terms of environmental pollution by micro- and nanoplastics, heavy metals, PAHs and pesticides, or PM2.5 and PM10 nanoparticles. The project - inspired by GREENHEALTH - also includes a tool for assessing the safety of waters and identifying sources of their pollution and the monitoring of radioactivity in the environment, with a particular focus on spa areas.
Ms. Magdalena Radecka-Gibała, provided a brief on the discussion of a new task that the Department of Environmental Protection is implementing and is related to the popularization of the so-called "forest bathing" in Podkarpackie. The introduction of this task is the result of the GREENHEALTH project.
Forest bathing, known in Japan as "shinrin-yoku," is a practice based on consciously being in the forest and taking advantage of its beneficial properties. It involves a slow, mindful walk among the trees, during which we focus on perceiving our surroundings with all our senses. The idea is to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the forest, listen to the birds singing, the sound of the leaves, smell the trees and the earth. This practice has many benefits for physical and mental health. Among other things, it helps reduce stress, lower blood pressure, strengthen the immune system and improve mood. It's a great way to relax and unwind, as well as deepening nature connection.
Dariusz Kozik - acting director of the Complex of Landscape Parks in Przemyśl - presented good practice regarding the rehabilitation and social readaptation of inmates in prisons located in Protected Areas, including the human and financial resources required for its implementation.
The last speaker was Dr. Bernadetta Bienia of the State Academy of Applied Sciences in Krosno, who presented good practice in the field of Herbalism. The activity of PANS in Krosno in supporting Herbalism was a response to the growing popularity of herbalism and herbal medicine in southeastern Poland.
Since 2012, the Polish Society of Herbalists and Phytotherapists has been operating in Krosno, conducting, among other things, training and publishing activities. Among other things, the Krosno university publishes "Herbalism," a peer-reviewed scientific journal devoted to medicinal plants and their use, and the quarterly "Tips for Health."
In 2016, the university launched a major in Herbalism, which revealed a broader need in the field. A wide range of offers has been created, addressed both to people with higher education (postgraduate studies Herbs, dietary supplements and natural cosmetics) and without (herbal courses: Phytotherapist Herbalist, Biological Therapies, Cultivation and economic importance of herbal plants).
The meeting was summarized and concluded by Mr. Antoni Jeż.
He emphasized the role and importance of the Local Living Lab in achieving the goals of the project, as well as the need to strengthen cooperation between those responsible for the management of Protected Areas and those in the health area, and to continuously raise awareness and conduct scientific research on the impact of Protected Areas on human health and well-being.