A workshop about the relationship between people, lynx, and wolves will be held on November 22-23, 2024, at the Transboundary Environmental Education Center in Zalesie. Organized by Rewilding Oder Delta and Praca Przyrodnika Sp. z o.o., the event will focus on the challenges and benefits of these species returning to the area and provide practical ways to help local communities and wildlife live side by side.
Two days of insightful discussions
The workshop will begin with presentations covering the role of wolves in maintaining biodiversity and the history of their re-colonization. Presentations will include both German and Polish perspectives on practical solutions for livestock losses, such as compensation and protective measures, and provide opportunities for the exchange of experiences.
The second day will focus on reintroducing lynxes in West Pomerania, explaining how they are tracked and monitored, and how people can live alongside them. The workshop’s goal is to encourage cooperation between experts, local communities, and authorities to support both wildlife and human needs.
Interactive sessions
The workshop will feature a mix of lectures followed by Q&A discussions, allowing participants to ask questions and engage with experts. In addition, there will be interactive group activities designed to encourage collaboration and problem-solving. On the final day, attendees can join a field trip, to learn more about the lynx come back to the Oder Delta and recap the most important information about the wolf ecology.
Agenda
22.11.2024 (Friday) Towards a shared landscape: humans and wolves
| 10:00 | Registration |
| 11:00 | Opening |
| 11:15 | “The future of human - wolf coexistence in Europe - challenges and opportunities” - Dr. Katarzyna Kozyra-Zyskowska (Praca Przyrodnika Sp. z o.o) + 15 min Q&A session |
| 12:00 | Coffee break |
| 12:15 | “Evaluating wolf-induced damage: strategies for compensation and conflict Resolution in Poland” - Krzysztof Adamczak (Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Szczecin) + 15 min Q&A session |
| 13:00 | Lunch break |
| 14:00 | “Evaluating wolf-induced damage: strategies for compensation and conflict resolution in Germany” - Heiner Schumann (Institute of Forest Ecosystems, Eberswalde) + 15 min Q&A session |
| 14:45 | Coffee break |
| 15:00 | "The idea of wolf parks" - Dr Aleksandra Kraśkiewicz, Jacek Więckowski (West Pomeranian Nature Society) + 15 min Q&A session |
| 16:20 | “Ethical considerations in wolf photography: wolves of the Odra River valley” - Lech Jędras (Wilki z Doliny Odry) + 15 min Q&A session |
| 16:40 | Multimedia session (diaporama) “Wolves of the Ueckermünde Heath, Wkrzańska Forest and Odra River valley” - Fernando Schmidt (Fernando Schmidt Photography); Sylwia Rylowska (Rewilding Oder Delta); Lech Jędras (Wilki z Doliny Odry) |
| 17:15 | Closing and summary |
23.11.2024 (Saturday) Towards a shared landscape: humans and lynx
| 10:00 | Registration |
| 10:30 | Opening |
| 10:40 | “Return of the lynx to Western Pomerania - a reintroduction programme in north-western Poland" - Dr. Aleksandra Kraśkiewicz (West Pomeranian Nature Society) + 15 min Q&A |
| 12:00 | Lunch break |
| 13:00 | "Humans and lynx - challenges and solutions in coexistence". - Dr. Katarzyna Kozyra-Zyskowska (Praca Przyrodnika Sp. z o. o.) + 15 min Q&A |
| 14:00 | Coffee break |
| 14:15 | Questionnaire to fill in by the participants |
| 14:30 | Field trip "The lynx in the landscape" - Maximilian Stinnes (Rewilding Oder Delta) |
| 15:30 | Closing and summary |
Moderation: Katarzyna Karpa-Świderek
How to participate
The event is open to all members of the community. It will take place in the Transboundary Environmental Education Center in Zalesie. Participation in the workshop is free, but advance registration is required to secure a spot. The organiser provides the Polish and German translation. To take part, fill in the following form until 18.11.2024, 23:59 CET.
For the field trip, participants are advised to dress appropriately for outdoor conditions.
Organiser:
Partner:
Patrons:
- Honorary patronage: Wojewoda Zachodniopomorski
- Patronage: Regionalna Dyrekcja Ochrony Środowiska w Szczecinie
- Media patronage: Miesięcznik “Dzikie życie”
The workshop “Towards a shared landscape: humans and lynx” is organised in the scope of LIFE22-NAT-PL-LIFE LYNX PL LT DE „Expanding the range of the lynx population in northern Poland” funded by the European Commission.
Text: Agnieszka Soboń
Substantive consultation: Katarzyna Kozyra-Zyskowska