Stakeholders discussed urban gardens
The fourth meeting of the Regional Stakeholders Group for NACAO project took place in January 2025. The idea of the meeting was to share the knowledge gained knowledge from aborad study visits for 10 stakeholders from the region.
Local solutions successfully applied in Starachowice were discussed by Martyna Stępień from the Starachowice City Hall. The City Park was revitalised, with significantly improved air quality and reduced noise levels due to its proximity to a street with heavy traffic. Among other things, the algae and blue-green algae bloom in the Pasternik and Lubianka Reservoirs was reduced thanks to the solutions applied, which improved the odour value. Water quality was also improved, which in turn made the reservoirs attractive to tourists. Participants in IV Thematic Seminar in Bremen presented ideas developed by Nacao project partners from Germany, Spain, Italy, Finland and France. For example Bremen City presented a transformation of an enclosed square in the city into a collective and biodiversity rich urban garden; the creation of cycle paths, themed paths, a water reservoir and vegetable gardens for residents on devastated allotment gardens.
In creating the garden, guidelines were developed that can be successfully applied to Polish conditions, including: preference was given to native plant species when planting that are edible to humans and animals, non-hybridised seeds were used and wild corners were left for small animals. The work of clearing the areas, including the collection of rubbish, was done by local residents, which strengthened community ties.
The meeting ended with a discussion and an invitation to strengthen even more cooperation between stakeholders representing different communities and the scientific units and staff of the Marshal's Office.
Liliana Krężołek, coordinator of Poland's NACAO project summarised the meeing presenting the next steps in project schedule.
Meeting fulfilled NACAO's the main idea of sharing experiences, introducing innovative solutions and building capacity of institutions involved into project.
Presenters in the meeting were: Joanna Rudawska, deputy director of the Department of Regional Development, Sylwia Kanios, director of the Department of Agriculture, Climate and the Environment, Elżbieta Gralec, deputy mayor of Starachowice City, and Martyna Stępień from the City Hall in Starachowice.
