Kateryna Lavrinenko, a lecturer at the Department of Agronomy, Biology, and Ecology at Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy, visited the Republic of Poland from April 7 to 9, 2025, as part of the project «the Nature-Based Solutions for the Restoration of Open Wetlands to Preserve Biodiversity, Improve Water Quality, and Mitigate the Effects of Climate Change».
Environmental specialists from various Ukrainian institutions also participated in the trip.
Polish experts presented to participants methods for restoring wetlands, which is a highly relevant topic in modern landscape management. During the trip, the group visited several wetland restoration sites, including the Krowie Bagno bog within the Poleski Park Narodowy, which has remained in good condition without requiring restoration. They also visited parts of the same bog located on private agricultural land that had been restored as part of a biodiversity conservation and emission reduction project. These areas are now used for haymaking and livestock grazing.
The massive drainage of bogs and peatlands in the 20th century has caused large-scale environmental problems that are currently being addressed. Re-watering bogs helps to stop the decomposition of peat (which «burns», when drained, and emits CO₂) and restores the lost functions of wetlands (water retention, filtration, biodiversity). This can be achieved by blocking drainage channels that were previously dug for land reclamation (by completely or partially filling them or by installing artificial dams). Over time, sphagnum mosses, sedges, rare birds and other inhabitants of the bogs will return to these habitats.
The trip was organized by the Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group in partnership with the Polish Society for the Protection of Birds, the Snowchange Cooperative from Finland, with support from the Nordic Council of Ministers.
The experience gained during the trip will be incorporated by Kateryna Lavrinenko into the teaching of various academic courses for biology and ecology students. We also hope that this experience will contribute to the practical implementation of wetland and peatland restoration projects in Ukraine, particularly in the case of establishing «Irdyn Swamp» National Nature Park.
