Rewilding connects multifaceted nature conservation and community engagement through education, events, and supporting entrepreneurship. The activities in the Ina River basin are a perfect example of these principles in action. The summer months saw various restoration measures carried out on the Ina River tributaries, accompanied by the installation of five informational boards. To mark this occasion, the Rewilding Oder Delta team organized a bike tour on July 13, 2024, to showcase recent field activities and share the successes with partners and friends from the region.
The river and its landscape
The group began their adventure around noon at the Observation Tower in Łęsk, which offers a panoramic view of the Ina Valley. Artur Furdyna, hydrobiologist and expert in river restoration at Rewilding Oder Delta (ROD), discussed the processes shaping the Pomeranian landscape, the historical changes in the river’s course, and the valuable plant species that characterize a healthy riverside ecosystem.
Following this, Peter Torkler, ROD Team Leader, introduced the organization and the authors of the educational boards. Magdalena Urlich, Tourism and Enterprise Officer, and Agnieszka Soboń, Communications Officer, presented the first board and explained the importance of wetlands.
Left: Hydrobiologist Artur Furdyna talks about the Ina landscape at the observation tower in Łęsk; Right: Rewilding Oder Delta Team leader Peter Torkler introduces our organization at the information board in Łęsk
Rewilding Oder Delta
Elements of a healthy ecosystem
The next stop on the route was located by the ruins of a watermill in Bącznik, where restoration work on the Wisełka River, a tributary of the Ina, had just been completed. Through this example, participants learned about the importance of nature-based solutions in river restoration. The partners had the opportunity to see the effects of removing an old weir and understand the role of gravel beds (prisms) in the river’s proper functioning, biodiversity restoration, and water retention. In addition to the restoration efforts, guests were introduced to another informational board showing beavers’ significance in a diverse landscape.
Left: Restored section of the Wisełka River in Bącznik; Right: Participants of the bike tour at the informational board about beavers in Bącznik.
Rewilding Oder Delta
Guided by Jan Kurek from the Kliniska Forest District, the group continued their journey through an area where the Forest District runs a reserve for Konik horses. Thanks to the host’s hospitality, participants could admire the extraordinary nature, observe rare bird species, and see evidence of wolves’ presence.
After covering several kilometres, the tour reached the banks of the Ina River again, this time near the village of Strumiany. It was here, in September 2023, that the ROD team undertook efforts to improve the river’s ecological state – similar to Bącznik – by restoring gravel beds. Although these structures are practically invisible in the current, an information board was placed nearby to explain the importance of these features for biodiversity and water retention.
Nature for People
From Strumiany, the group moved to the area near Sowno, where the ROD partner “Kayak Tours on the Ina” offers a unique space for riverside relaxation and recreation. In this beautiful, nature-friendly environment, participants were introduced to the last two informational boards dedicated to the Ina River and the benefits that nature provides to people. This was an excellent opportunity to explain sustainable and regenerative practices and to mention joint actions with the local community, such as river cleanups or willow planting.
Left: Magdalena Urlich (right) and Agnieszka Soboń present the benefits that nature provides to people; Right: Participants during a discussion in Sowno.
Rewilding Oder Delta
“It was a fantastic trip. I had heard a lot about the Rewilding Oder Delta’s activities in the region, and now I can see it all with my own eyes. The route wasn’t too difficult, and at each stop, I learned many interesting details about the Ina River and how to get involved in improving its condition,” said Justyna, a participant in the event.
At the end of the tour, guests and organizers sat down together to recharge and share their impressions and thoughts on the importance of rewilding activities in the region.
“I’m very pleased because representatives of institutions who are key to carrying out our activities participated in the event. This is an ideal situation and bodes very well for the future, as thanks to such ‘field visits,’ we all understand the issues we face and are eager to work together to develop solutions,” summarized event coordinator Magdalena Urlich.
The activities were carried out as part of the “Wildlife comeback to the Ina River” project funded by EOCA, the “Rewilding the Ina River for a cleaner Baltic Sea” project from the BALTCF fund, and the “Dam Removal Ina River” project supported by Rewilding Europe and the Firmenich Foundation. Their implementation was possible through collaboration with the Society of the Friends of the River Ina and Gowienica and the Kliniska Forest District.
Text: Magdalena Urlich
Editing: Agnieszka Soboń
Expert Consultation: Artur Furdyna