Recent assessments by the European Environment Agency show that 81% of habitats and 63% of protected species in the European Union are in unfavourable or bad conservation status. This highlights the scale of the biodiversity and ecosystem degradation facing Europe. In response to the ongoing decline of biodiversity and ecosystems, the European Union has adopted the Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR), establishing legally binding targets for ecosystem restoration across Member States. Against this background, an important question arises: how is Poland responding to these requirements, and what steps are being taken to restore degraded ecosystems and improve the condition of habitats and species?
EU Nature Restoration Regulation: What Does It Mean for Europe?
The NRR sets a long-term framework for reversing the decline of ecosystems across the European Union. By 2030, restoration measures are expected to cover at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas, while by 2050 the objective is to address all ecosystems that require restoration. The Regulation also introduces specific requirements covering a broad range of ecosystems, including forests, agricultural and urban areas, rivers and wetlands, marine ecosystems, as well as pollinator populations.
Beeld: © European Commission / https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/nature-restoration-regulation_en
The practical implementation of these objectives is organized through National Restoration Plans. Each Member State is expected to use its plan to determine where restoration is needed and which measures should be taken to meet the targets set by the Regulation. Draft plans had to be submitted to the European Commission by 1 September 2026. By October 2026, several Member States had already submitted their drafts, including the Netherlands, Austria, Bulgaria, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. The submitted plans are being assessed by the European Commission with technical support from the European Environment Agency, while Member States are expected to finalize their plans by September 2027. Importantly, restoration measures do not have to wait until the national plans are finalized, meaning that projects contributing to the Regulation’s objectives can already be implemented.
Poland’s Nature Restoration Plan: How Is Poland Responding to the EU Regulation?
In Poland, the national response to the Regulation is being developed through the National Restoration Plan for Nature Restoration (KPOZP). The plan is intended to determine how Poland will meet the requirements of the NRR and identify the ecosystems, areas and measures that should be prioritized. Its preparation involves the collection and analysis of environmental data and cooperation between relevant public institutions and other stakeholders.
A particularly interesting example of nature restoration in Poland is the LIFE 4 RIVERS project, which focuses on the Parsęta river basin in the southern Baltic Sea region. Rather than concentrating on a single section of the river, the project takes a basin-wide approach to restoring ecological connectivity between the river, its tributaries, wetlands and surrounding habitats.
Beeld: © Photo by Petr Ganaj / Pexels
A central aim of the project is to restore connectivity throughout the Parsęta river system. This includes removing or modifying 32 existing barriers, including dams and weirs, and constructing facilities that will enable the migration of migratory fish. The project also seeks to restore spawning habitats in the Parsęta and its main tributaries, the Radew and Dębnica. These measures are intended to improve conditions for migratory fish and support the recovery of their populations.
Particular attention is given to Atlantic salmon and lamprey species. The project aims to improve migration routes and spawning conditions, while measures for Atlantic salmon include restocking, habitat improvement and habitat protection. The project also addresses species such as sea trout, grayling and bullhead, as well as river and brook lampreys. The effects of the restoration measures will be monitored using modern research methods in order to assess their impact on migratory fish populations.
The project also includes the restoration of wetlands and riparian forests, which form an important part of the wider river ecosystem. By improving the condition and connectivity of these habitats, the project aims to strengthen the ecological functioning of the river basin as a whole.
Another important element of LIFE 4 RIVERS is the involvement of local communities. The project includes the establishment of the “Parsęta Rangers”, a volunteer initiative intended to encourage local residents and other stakeholders to take an active role in protecting the river. Their activities include monitoring the condition of the river, helping to combat illegal fishing, and supporting environmental education and citizen science. The initiative is intended to strengthen cooperation between local communities, anglers, public authorities and environmental organizations.
LIFE 4 RIVERS is being implemented through a partnership of Polish and international organizations. One of its partners is the Dutch Blue Rivers Foundation, giving the project a direct connection with the Netherlands. The partnership also includes organizations involved in river management, environmental protection, scientific research and biodiversity conservation. The project is supported by the EU LIFE Programme, with additional national co-financing.
By combining the restoration of river connectivity and habitats with species conservation and community involvement, LIFE 4 RIVERS provides a practical example of large-scale ecosystem restoration in Poland. The experience gained through the project may also be relevant to other European river basins facing similar challenges.
More information
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