Advisor to the President of the Republic of Poland, Sławomir Mazurek, posted on social media about a discussion on the new forest policy activists want to introduce in Poland in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate and Environment. He argued that there was no analysis of the economic effects, and he recalled that forests sustain green jobs and contribute about 2.5 percent of GDP, a point he has emphasized in public remarks as a former Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate.
The National Forests propose to exclude more than 564,000 hectares from economic use, according to Witold Koss, the government-appointed director of the State Forests. He added that the proposal aligns with the ministry’s expectations and would reduce timber harvest by about 3 million cubic meters.
Forestry rangers from the Association for the Sustainable Development of Poland, led by the late Prof. Jana Szyszko, announced the collection of signatures for a referendum initiative to defend Poland’s forests.
At the National Forest Conference in Korzecko, Koss outlined the State Forests’ proposals. He stated that the largest area of exclusions would be in Białystok, affecting roughly 101,000 hectares of woodland. Other areas slated for exclusions include forest districts in Szczecinek (about 57,000 ha), Olsztyn (about 53,000 ha), and Zielona Góra (about 33,000 ha).
Logging has been halted in these areas. The director of the Forestry Commission noted that implementing the proposal would limit the harvesting of more than 3 million cubic meters of timber.
A new category of forests
The former deputy head of the Ministry of Environment, Sławomir Mazurek, posted about the forest policy discussion on social media. He noted that Poland would become the only country to introduce a new forest category, the so-called old-growth or ancient forests, under the ministry’s plan.
Leading the European Green Deal push, the Ministry of Climate and Environment announced plans to create about 150 new reserves and 41 national parks on State Forests land, though there is no disclosed cost. Mazurek posted on X that he attended the National Forest Meeting and found the discussions illuminating for understanding the government’s forest trajectory.
“The most striking element is the proposal to remove the State Forests from active management, a move Mazurek says would affect many jobs and the 2.5 percent share of GDP”, he wrote on X.
The advisor to the President emphasized that the key thread in the case is a plan to deprive the state forests of effective management, a step Mazurek argues would threaten jobs and economic output tied to forestry.
The most emotionally charged ideas include depriving the State Forestry Department of opportunities to operate commercially, a stance associated with a representative for the Commissioner for Human Rights who previously collaborated with the current head of the General Directorate for Environmental Protection and the forestry department of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage as part of the Climate and Space Team. The proposal to segregate forest functions into protective and commercial zones is also a focal point. Yet, no economic analysis has been conducted for these options, although forests currently provide green jobs and contribute about 2.5 percent of GDP.
— Mazurek posted on X.
Forests under activist pressure
Mazurek observed that activists are calling for an abandonment of the commodity economy in forests. They also want greater powers and influence over forest governance.
During discussions on social forests, activists demanded an end to resource management and argued that the designation process was flawed and lacking transparency. They urged more local government influence while accepting responsibility. They claimed that community forests were being cleared and communities growing poorer.
The Director General of Staatsbosbeheer presented a plan to exclude 17 percent of forest management, with another 3 percent mentioned by others. Some attendees argued the plan was too small or not transparent; others claimed decisions were driven by politics rather than conservation needs.
Mazurek also shared thoughts on X about these discussions.