Poland launches first of 11 planned “community forests” around major cities

Poland’s climate and environment ministry has opened the first of 11 planned “community forests” around major cities, inaugurating a 13,000-hectare protected woodland near Wrocław. The scheme is designed to give residents accessible green space for recreation and nature contact, while also supporting environmental goals such as water retention, air purification, and climate regulation. Forest management will split the area into natural, near-natural, and “social” zones, with timber harvesting restricted and consultations beginning for the next urban belts.