The partner cities of Rzeszów and Lutsk have set themselves an ambitious goal – to restore biodiversity in urban areas that so far have not been conducive to wildlife. The project “Wild life in a big city: protection and promotion of wild nature and biodiversity in Lutsk and Rzeszów” (acronym WildInCity) responds to the growing challenges related to environmental protection in urban areas.
As part of this initiative, the project partners will carry out the revitalisation of natural areas and promote environmental education among residents. In this way, they aim to improve the quality of life in cities and raise awareness of nature conservation.
The expectations for the success of the project are well justified, as WildInCity is not the first joint initiative of Rzeszów and Lutsk. The cities have been cooperating since 2000, implementing EU-funded cross-border projects. Under the Poland–(Belarus)–Ukraine Programme, three projects were implemented:
- “Modernisation of zoological gardens in Zamość and Lutsk and development of a concept for the creation of a recreational zone in Rzeszów in order to develop cross-border qualified nature tourism” (Programme 2007–2013).
- “A joint cooperation network in the field of culture and social welfare for the development of cities of the Polish–Ukrainian borderland” (Programme 2007–2013).
- “Promotion and protection of natural heritage in river and riverside areas of the cities of Rzeszów and Lutsk” (Programme 2014–2020).
One of the first steps of the new WildInCity project was a press conference held in Rzeszów, during which the project partners presented the objectives of the initiative and the planned activities aimed at protecting nature and improving the quality of life of residents.
The Polish project partner decided to focus on the LISIA GÓRA Nature Reserve, located within the city and unique in terms of biodiversity:
This will include carrying out a dendrological inventory of the reserve, developing a programme related to its protection, conducting maintenance works, and restoring the educational trail within the reserve
The planned activities will help maintain and restore the original balance of flora and fauna in the area. Invasive plant species will be removed, and shrubs threatening local ecosystems will be pruned or removed. New signage and information boards will be installed along the renovated walking trail to allow visitors to better understand the exceptional natural values of the reserve.
At the same time, in Lutsk, the Ukrainian partner is revitalising natural areas along the Styr River. Planned tasks include organising vegetation, improving the water retention system, preparing pedestrian paths, and creating spaces for educational activities. The city is also investing in solutions to improve rainwater quality and in new recreational infrastructure. As part of the project, a nature protection concept was also developed in cooperation with experts from Rzeszów.
This is an extremely important and very interesting project for both of our cities. Its distinguishing feature is that it is life-oriented and pro-ecological, which is important for the residents of both cities. I am convinced that the project will be implemented efficiently, effectively, and to the benefit of us all
All field activities are accompanied by educational initiatives that engage residents, especially younger generations, in nature protection. Among other activities, the project partners organised a cross-border environmental knowledge quiz. Young people from Rzeszów and Lutsk had the opportunity to test their knowledge of wildlife protection, endangered species, the Natura 2000 network (PL), and the Emerald Network (UA).
The thematic scope of the quiz was extremely broad and included knowledge of wild fauna and flora species, biodiversity conservation issues, protected areas and nature reserves, as well as European and international forms of nature protection
The winners received prizes, and all participants took part in a joint competition based on cross-border cooperation and environmental education.
The partners also planned an eco-picnic and outdoor workshops in Lutsk. In Rzeszów, the Polish partner organised workshops with the participation of a delegation from Lutsk, during which participants exchanged experiences in nature conservation and environmental education. One of the most important project events took place in November 2025. A conference held in Rzeszów brought together experts from Poland and Ukraine, who shared their knowledge on biodiversity protection and the future of nature reserves in both countries.
The project benefits both the natural environment and urban residents. The revitalisation of natural areas makes Rzeszów and Lutsk greener and more liveable, while local ecosystems regain their natural balance.
Renovated parks, educational trails, and closer contact with nature have a positive impact on the health and well-being of residents. In the long term, the project builds environmental awareness, strengthens cross-border cooperation, and enables the exchange of experience between partners. The active involvement of local communities in environmental activities is an investment in the future of both cities.
More information about the project can be found HERE.
