Polish Society for the Protection of Birds

The Polish Society for the Protection of Birds (OTOP) is dedicated to conserving wild birds and their habitats across Poland. Founded in 1991, it combines scientific expertise with hands-on habitat management, public engagement, and policy advocacy. OTOP is the Polish partner of BirdLife International, a global network of environmental NGOs active in over 100 countries. 

The Orawa peatlands are one of Poland’s largest raised-bog complexes. These wetlands support twelve habitat types listed as priorities under the EU Habitats Directive, including raised bogs, transition mires, and bog woodlands. They host the second-largest population of Black Grouse in Poland and many rare peatland-dependent species. However, decades of drainage, peat cutting (both industrial and illegal), and vegetation encroachment have severely threatened their carbon stores, biodiversity, and resilience. Safeguarding them is also essential for maintaining the Natura 2000 network, the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world.  

ERF’s grant will support restoration measures to revive the hydrology and vegetation of the Orawa peatlands. Planned actions include blocking approximately 56 km of drainage ditches to re-establish natural water levels, reshaping the edges of former peat excavations, and clearing trees from 10 hectares of adjacent alkaline fens to favour peat-forming mosses and specialist flora.