Acronym

WildInCity

NUMBER

PLUA.01.03-IP.01-0033/23

Project type

Regular project

STATUS

During implementation

PRIORITY

ENVIRONMENT

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE

1.3 Enhancing protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution

LEAD PARTNER

Executive Committee of Lutsk City Council (Volyn Oblast, Ukraine)

PARTNER

Municipality of Rzeszów (Podkarpackie Voivodeship, Poland)

Project description

Parks are essential in urban planning, serving as recreational and social hubs and providing various environmental and health benefits to the city residents. Unfortunately, many parks struggle to fulfil these roles due to invasive species, deterioration of old trees, biodiversity loss, poor accessibility, and other issues. Moreover, a lack of care and limited public awareness about nature and biodiversity contributes significantly to these challenges.

The project deals with the abovementioned issues through the planned activities, which contain improvement of two green areas located in Lutsk and Rzeszów. The project partners want to improve protection and promotion of wild nature and biodiversity in their cities by implementing cross-border solutions such as renovation of the nature sites and raising environmental awareness. In Lutsk, creation of a natural park on the bank of the Styr River is planned by transforming an abandoned site into an attractive area, which will be used for educational purposes. In Rzeszów, many activities will be carried out to protect old oak trees and ensuring biodiversity in Lisia Góra Nature Reserve (PL). The nature reserve will be adjusted to the needs of the residents for the purpose of environmental education.

The project also includes a range of educational and promotional activities aimed at different target groups including the production of puzzles, board games, quizzes and conducting green picnic in Lutsk. To enhance capacities of the cities in nature protection and preservation, a conference of experts will be organised in Rzeszów. Moreover, a concept for preservation of nature sites, reserves and territories of the Emerald Network in Lutsk will be developed.

The project will have a positive impact on flora and fauna. Local communities will benefit from living in greener cities, with more opportunities for using the recreation area.