New historical life of Wiśniowiec and Tarnobrzeg parks

Cross-border restoration project of historic parks in Tarnobrzeg (Poland) and Wiśniowiec (Ukraine) and assessment of their ecosystem value in terms of historical development is aimed at improving the condition of the environment, strengthening the protection and preservation of landscape monuments (objects of the nature reserve fund), biodiversity of green infrastructure in urban areas and reducing pollution. The project aims to popularize the value of park plantings for the environment (urboecosystem). As part of this project, it is planned to carry out joint research of the vegetation cover of two parks (Ukrainian and Polish), quantitative and cost indicators of their ecosystem services and development of proposals for improving the ecological condition of facilities and their dissemination. The overriding goal of the project is meeting the recreational, cultural, educational and environmental needs of the residents of the housing estates (Ukrainian and Polish) with the expected increase in environmental awareness of park visitors. The main objective of the project is to improve the ecological condition of historic parks in the border regions of Poland and Ukraine - in Tarnobrzeg and Wiśniowiec, to assess the general condition of the parks in terms of development and implementation of recommendations regarding the improvement of the condition of green areas and their ecological functions. To achieve this goal, the following main directions have been set: - developing a concept for the development/restoration of urban landscapes; - measurement of biometric indicators of trees and shrubs; - determination of quantitative and valuable indicators of ecological functions of trees in terms of their ability to reduce the environmental pollution, carbon sequestration, oxygen production and regulation of the water flow; - analysis of the information received in terms of various ecosystem services, categories of green areas and species composition; - presentation of the information received in the form of an interactive map; - developing possibilities and prospects for presenting the obtained results to local authorities, interested persons and organizations; - implementation of the proposed actions to improve the ecological and aesthetic condition of parks and increasing their ecosystem value. As a result of the project implementation, the following is expected: 1. Preparation of applications regarding the condition of parks and their green areas; 2. Quantitative and qualitative assessment of ecosystem services of two parks; 3. Recommendations for improving the sanitary, aesthetic and ecosystem condition of parks; 4. Ecological effect from the implementation of measures to improve the condition of parks and to increase their ecosystem value; 5. Preservation of the common natural and cultural heritage of Ukraine and Poland; 6. Sustainable use of environmentally valuable areas; 7. Dissemination of experience in the implementation of projects for the protection of landscape monuments - historical parks (organization of a scientific and practical conference, development of methodological recommendations); 8. Raising the ecological awareness of the inhabitants of the nearby housing estates and people visiting the facilities. The main beneficiaries of the project are scientists/researchers of historic parks and biodiversity of objects in Poland and Ukraine, residents of Tarnobrzeg and Wiśniowiec, especially young people, Eco-activists and park visitors. It is planned to use a comprehensive cross-border approach to implement the project with the participation of participants from both countries, scientists, eco-activists and other interested people. Cross-border approach will allow to attract different specialists with varied experience and approach to solving problems and undertaking joint efforts to protect natural and cultural heritage.