Snowchange participates in a Nordic project to support Polish and Ukrainian efforts to boost restoration in the region. A recent field visit collected experts from three countries and saw the release of the much-anticipated “Peatland Restoration Atlas” developed by Snowchange for the partners.
The Nordic Council funded project “Nature-based solutions in open wetlands restoration for biodiversity, water quality improvement and climate mitigation” has partners in Poland, Ukraine and Finland. It is coordinated by Ogólnopolskie Towarzystwo Ochrony Ptaków – OTOP, a birding organization from Poland.
Snowchange helped to develop the “Peatland Restoration Atlas” for the Ukrainian and Polish partners. On a recent field visit several restoration sites were discussed between project partners, and the trip included visits to Bagno Bubnów meadow restoration, Holeszów re-wetting site and several more including national parks in Poland.
The Atlas itself contains already the first mapped sites and includes for example highlights such as
Haidamatske Swamp Nature reserve
The Haidamatske Swamp Reserve, covering 751.7 hectares in the Zheryvskyi and Obukhivetskyi forestry districts, holds both natural and historical significance. It served as a shelter for Haidamaka bands in the 18th century and later for partisans during wartime conflicts. The reserve features mixed pine-oak forests, raised bogs, and a diverse array of plant and animal species, including rare and protected flora like Pasque flower and Early-purple orchid, and fauna such as the European pond turtle and the Eurasian lynx. The area is home to unique ecosystems, including sphagnum bogs, but faces potential threats from logging and drainage. Efforts are underway to monitor and protect this important site through ongoing Environmental Impact Assessments.
Irdyn Swamp
Irdyn Swamp, located in Ukraine’s Cherkasy region, is a crucial wetland ecosystem that shelters a wide variety of protected species. The swamp, which was historically used for peat extraction, is now a candidate for national park status due to its biodiversity. It is home to rare species such as the red-bellied toad (Bombina bombina), white stork (Ciconia ciconia), Apollo butterfly (Parnassius mnemosyne), and the large oak longhorn beetle (Cerambyx cerdo). In total, over 250 populations of protected species have been recorded here, with many listed in the Red Book of Ukraine and the IUCN Red List. Since 2019, the Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group has been advocating for the establishment of the “Irdynske” National Nature Park, which will play a key role in preserving these species and the natural heritage of the region.
The project will conclude in the Autumn with further reporting on results of the Atlas.