The “Adopt a Meadow” Project is a unique opportunity for Greenvolt Power to support the active protection of Polish nature. Through this initiative, which is organized by Fundacja Kwietna, we aim to restore the rich biodiversity of a meadow in Nieborów. This valuable natural area loses its natural values and degrades with each passing season. Native plants are being replaced by invasive alien species, and the space available to animals associated with the agricultural landscape is shrinking.
The meadow, which we take care of as one of the sponsors, has an total area of 10 ha and is located in the Bolimowski Landscape Park, near the palace and park complex in Nieborów, which is a natural attraction and historical site. The support we offer will allow you to take care of 2 hectares of this valuable meadow.
The meadow needs people’s support to continue to delight with its richness. “Adopt a Meadow” campaign involves supporting the active protection of a meadow ecosystem by:
Financial support – GV offered donation in order to support activities related to active protection of this particular meadow, i.a.:
- Inventory and environmental expertise of the habitat in order to check the state of nature and determine which fauna and flora species can be found in the meadow
- Establishing of a protection plan and introducing appropriate actions, such as:
- selective mowing: implementing a schedule for selective mowing to promote the growth of native species and control invasive ones.
- rotational grazing: introducing and supporting rotational grazing practices to maintain the biodiversity of the meadow.
- Invasive Species Control – removing or controlling the spread of invasive species that threaten the local biodiversity.
- Restoration and reintroduction of valuable species – collecting seeds of complementary species from nearby habitats and sowing them within the meadow allows for the increase of genetic resources and the pool of species present in the meadow.
By adopting a meadow, our business can make a tangible difference in protecting Poland’s natural heritage and supporting the vital ecological services that meadows provide. The successful implementation of the Nieborów Meadow Protection Project will serve as a model for replication and adaptation in other valuable natural habitats that are threatened by degradation.
Importance of meadows
Meadows are one of the most diverse ecosystems in our climate. However, as anthropogenic habitats, they require our intervention to thrive.
Traditionally, these wildflower havens played a crucial role in agriculture, providing grazing land for animals and a source of hay. However, with the rise of intensive industrial farming, Poland’s (and not only Poland’s) meadows are shrinking, leading to a decline in biodiversity and a less vibrant natural environment.
The loss of meadows due to development and intensive farming practices is a serious concern. By understanding their importance, we can work towards protecting and restoring these vital ecosystems.
The main threats in case of meadows are:
- Invasive species dominating the native flora significantly reduce biodiversity.
- Natural succession, resulting from the abandonment of traditional grazing in meadows and forest edges, leads to the overgrowth of the most valuable areas of grassland and low peat bogs
- The isolation of valuable and endangered species’
- Melioration of valuable wet meadows
- Agricultural pressure
Meadows helps in combat against the climate change
Often overlooked, meadows play a vital role in combating climate change. These fields, especially those with dense root networks, function as powerful carbon sinks. Carbon is stored in plants tissues (stems, leaves and roots) and in the soil. By storing captured CO2, meadows become natural reservoirs, helping to reduce the amount of CO2 in the air and mitigating climate change. Healthy meadows can store significant amounts of carbon, helping to reduce atmospheric CO2 levels and mitigate climate change.
Protecting meadows is therefore becoming a key element in the fight against both biodiversity decline and climate change. Together we can protect these precious ecosystems and ensure their survival for future generations.
Article written by: Sylwia Jaruga-Białaś, Environmental and Biodiversity Expert at Greenvolt Power