Yesterday, at the Marshal’s Office of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, an inaugural meeting was held between scientists from the Faculty of Technology and Life Sciences and the Faculty of Exact and Technical Sciences of the University of Rzeszów, and the management of the Department of Environmental Protection of the Marshal’s Office, led by its Director, Mr. Andrzej Kulig. The meeting marked the official start of a major environmental project aimed at protecting valuable natural areas in the Podkarpackie region. The project, with a total budget of PLN 3.97 million, has received EU co-financing and will result in the development of new environmental documentation for thirteen Protected Landscape Areas. The documentation is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

Protected Landscape Areas (Obszary Chronionego Krajobrazu, OCHK) are scenic and ecologically diverse territories valued for their recreational and tourism potential, often serving as ecological corridors. Although they represent one of the least restrictive forms of nature conservation in Poland, certain investment limitations still apply. The ecological evaluation of these areas in the Podkarpackie region will help to highlight their most valuable segments and support actions aimed at preserving biodiversity, maintaining ecological processes, ensuring ecosystem stability, and safeguarding the continuity of ecological corridors.

The project is led by Professor Krzysztof Kukuła, with thematic modules coordinated by researchers from the Faculty of Technology and Life Sciences: Dr Agata Gajdek (landscape architecture), Dr Paweł Wolański, Dr Krzysztof Rogut, Dr Jan Ziobro, Professor Bogdan Wiśniowski, Professor Aneta Bylak, Dr Jerzy Michalczuk, Dr Grzegorz Pitucha, Dr Agata Ćwik, and Dr Bernadetta Ortyl. The Faculty of Exact and Technical Sciences is represented by Professor Barbara Pękala.