Education and Tourism

Forest Education

Forest education is one of the key priorities of the State Forests. Its educational programmes are aimed at children, young people, adults and people with disabilities, with the goal of promoting knowledge about forest ecosystems and sustainable forest management.

Thanks to forest education, more and more people understand why sustainable forestry, nature conservation and responsible behaviour in forests matter. As people increasingly enjoy the benefits forests provide, awareness of our shared responsibility for protecting nature continues to grow.

Approximately 3.6 million people took part in various educational activities organised by foresters in 2022.

Learning in the Forest

To truly understand a forest, it is not enough to read about it or look at photographs. A forest must be experienced directly - seen, touched and heard. For this reason, outdoor education plays a vital role in the educational activities of the State Forests.

In 2024, foresters used more than 5,900 educational facilities and sites for forest education activities, which attracted approximately 1.7 million participants. Educational infrastructure within the State Forests includes educational trails, forest education rooms, outdoor educational shelters and forest education centres.

Educational trails are the most popular form of outdoor learning. Throughout the year, foresters organise activities for different age groups along these routes, which can also be visited independently. Forest districts have also established forest education rooms and outdoor educational shelters, while the range of activities offered by forest education centres continues to expand. Each forest district develops and implements its own Forest Education Programme for Society.

Thanks to forest education, an increasing number of people understand the benefits of sustainable forestry, nature conservation and responsible interaction with the natural environment. More and more people are enjoying the benefits that forests provide, while awareness of our shared responsibility for protecting nature continues to grow.

Forest Education Programme for Society

The vast majority of visitors to educational facilities are school groups. Foresters are particularly committed to working with children and young people, recognising that the future of forests will soon depend on the younger generation. Years of experience have shown that children are especially receptive to environmental education. Young people also play an important role in promoting responsible behaviour and discouraging activities harmful to forests, such as littering and grass burning.

Particular attention is given to forest education within Promotional Forest Complexes. Numerous educational trails have been created in these areas to showcase the work and achievements of foresters. Educational centres and exhibition rooms present the richness of forest biodiversity, while forest parking areas, shelters and recreation sites give visitors greater opportunities to explore and appreciate the beauty of Poland’s forests. Approximately one-third of all participants in the State Forests’ educational programmes visit Promotional Forest Complexes.

Education Through Media

Educational activities are also carried out by the State Forests Centre for Social Communication and the Research and Implementation Centre of the State Forests in Bedoń. Publications issued by the Centre for Social Communication, including the magazine Echa Leśne (Forest Echoes), are intended for readers interested in forestry and nature conservation.

Information on the importance of forests in people’s lives can also be found in numerous guides, brochures and publications produced by the Research and Implementation Centre in Bedoń. Many Regional Directorates of the State Forests also publish their own educational materials.

Online educational activities are becoming increasingly important. The State Forests actively communicate their work and promote environmental awareness through their official website, www.lasy.gov.pl.

Teachers can also access lesson plans and educational resources based on materials available through the State Forests’ online educational platforms. The content has been developed by foresters who conduct educational programmes on a daily basis in the educational centres of the State Forests.

Tourism in the State Forests

The State Forests are open to everyone and are becoming an increasingly popular destination for trips and recreation. The beauty of nature, peace, quiet and clean air attract visitors, and foresters respond to the needs of this group of forest users.

Foresters encourage people to relax in woodland areas. Tourist shelters, tables and benches have been prepared in some of the most attractive locations. Visitors can rest there or enjoy a picnic in a beautiful forest setting. Designated places are also provided where campfires may be lit or meals prepared on a grill. These sites are secured to prevent fire from spreading uncontrollably, reducing the risk of forest fires. In all other places in the forest, and within 100 metres of a forest, the use of open fire is prohibited.

For tourists, the State Forests also provide accommodation facilities. They offer 4,500 beds in recreation and training centres, guest rooms and hunting lodges. Detailed information about tourist facilities provided by the State Forests can be found in the Forest Tourism Guide, Czaswlas.pl.

Recreation in the forest is, above all, an escape from noise and air pollution. In order to protect forests and wildlife, and to ensure the safety of visitors, motor vehicles are not allowed on forest roads unless they are specifically designated for public traffic. Forest car parks, located on the edges of forest complexes or near particularly attractive tourist sites, are available for motorists. Visitors can leave their cars there and continue their journey on foot or by bicycle.

For lovers of natural beauty, foresters have prepared viewing platforms and terraces. These are favourite places for a growing number of nature photographers. Special boardwalks make it possible to reach otherwise inaccessible, often wetland areas of forests. Most visitors would never be able to admire these places without the tourist infrastructure prepared by foresters. The number of such facilities continues to grow.

There are numerous tourist trails and educational trails in the State Forests. Marked out and signposted in cooperation with foresters, they lead visitors to some of the most charming parts of the forests, allowing them to learn about their unique character and the work of foresters. Walking and hiking remain among the most popular ways to spend time in Polish forests.

Cyclists are also an increasingly numerous group of forest users. A network of cycling routes has been developed with them in mind, and their number in the State Forests is growing every year. Horse riders will also find suitable routes. It is worth remembering that horse riding in forests is permitted only on forest roads designated for this purpose by the forest district manager. Detailed information about tourist infrastructure and places especially worth visiting can be found on the websites of individual forest districts.

When visiting Polish forests, let us behave in a way that allows future generations to enjoy them as well.