Drawieński National Park
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Drawieński National Park (Polish: DRAWIENSKI PARK NARODOWY) is located in North-West Poland, on the border of Wielkopolskie, Lubuskie and Zachodniopomorskie Voivodships. The Park is a part of the huge Drawska Wilderness (Puszcza Drawska), which covers a vast Drawska Plain. It was created in 1990 and its initial territory was 86.91 km². Later, it was enlarged to 113.42 km² of which forests are 96.14 km² (3.68 km² are regarded as a strictly protected area). Waters cover 9.37 km².
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[edit] Park geology
Although the park is located on Drawsk Plain, it does not necessarily mean that it is flat. There are picturesque and deep valleys of the Drawa and Plociczna rivers as well as numerous water channels, lakes and peat-bogs. In some places the height can vary by 30 meters within 500 meters. This is quite remarkable for a plain. The highest hill (106 m) is located near the Martew lake, in northern part of the Park. Soil in the park is of poor quality and it mainly consists of sand.
[edit] Protection needs
One of main reasons for creation of the park was the need for protection of precious areas along the Drawa and Plocziczna rivers. The Drawa creates interesting valleys and hollows and 40 km of the river is within borders of the park. The river flows at a quite fast pace, which makes it similar to rivers located in mountains. The Drawa kayacking trail is one of the most picturesque in Poland. As far as lakes are concerned, the biggest of them is lake Czarne (area - 3.7 km²). Waters in the Park are clean and pollution free.
[edit] Flora
There are several interesting species of flora in Drawski National Park. Among them - 210 species of mushrooms and beautiful oaks. Some of the oak trees are 400 years old. The oldest trees are strictly protected in the Radecin Preserve. Trees exceeding 81 years old cover 40% of the forested area of the park.
[edit] Fauna
Animal life is very rich. There are 129 species of birds, 40 species of mammals, 7 species of reptiles and 13 species of amphibians. Good quality of water in lakes and rivers enables various species of fish to flourish.
The area of the Park was regarded as unfit for human settlement in the past when it was located at the border of Poland and Western Pomerania (later - Prussia) and only since the 17th century has its forests been settled by humans.
The park is crossed by four attractive tourist trails - both walking and kayaking. There are campsites and - within some distance - hotels. The number of tourists visiting it rises year by year and it is particularly interesting for kayakers.
Management address: ul. Lesnikow 2, 73-220 Drawno, Poland
