Short information about Regional Directorate of State Forests in Łódź

Forests constitute an inseparable element of the natural environment; they naturally control el-mate, water conditions and cleanliness of air. Forests are also a great place for leisure, recreation as well as a source of inspiration for artists like painters, sculptors, writers, and poets. From the beginning of humanity forests had been inhabited by people, provided them with shelter and possibilities for finding food. Development of civilization had been leading to systematic decrease of areas occupied by forests. The same situation was experienced by the woodlands of the Regional Directorate of State Forests in Łódź, which area had been dangerously reduced, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the territory occupied by forests administered by the Regional Directorate and the Łódź Region is the smallest in the country and amounts to about 20% of the regions area, whereas in some areas like Kutno and Łęczyca woodiness does not exceed 10%. The rapid decline of woodlands, caused by robber exploitation, was a subject of concern for foresters as early as the early 19th century. They Initiated development of forest economy based on plans focused primarily on preservation of continuity of existence and utilization of forests. Today, our foresters carry out balanced, multi functional forest economy based on ecological principles. The foundation for this type of economy is the Act on Forests promulgated on September 28,1991. The act first of all obliges to carry out consistent, balanced forest economy in order to preserve forests and their positive influence on climate, air, soil, living and health conditions of man as well as natural balance for protection of forests, waters and soils, and in second order -production of timber and byproducts based on rational economy.

State forests in the area of the Regional Directorate Łódź are multi functional woods, about 2% of them are designated as nature preserves, more than 53% of the area is occupied by protective forests, including water- and sod-protecting forests in urban areas and around cities, in zones affected by the industry. Only some 45% of state forests in the Regional Directorate are timber forests.

Woods are also an inseparable part of ten Landscape Parks in the area. occupying nearly 59,000 hectares, twenty three Protected Landscape Areas featuring more than 84,000 hectares of forests and nineteen Nature-Landscape Complexes, hi which forests cover more than 2,000 hectares. In addition, over 35 protective zones of breeding and habitats of protected species of reptiles. birds and mammals have been established in the forests of the Directorate.

The Regional Directorate of State Forests in Łódź administers silviculture carried out by 19 forest inspectorates in state forests covering about 293,0001 hectares. In addition, in the area of the Directorate there are around 140,000 hectares of private forests, the majority of which are administered by forest-inspectorates, commissioned by county authorities. The range of the Regional Directorate comprises state forests located In the following regions: Łódzkie - 78.4% of its area, Mazowieckie -17.9%. Świętokrzyskie - 2.4% and Kujawsko - Pomorskie - 1,3%. Forests grow predominantly on the poorest soils, including forest habitats of coniferous forests-38.4% of its total area, mixed coniferous forests - 33.7%, mixed forests - 19.7% as well as other woods and alder carr - 8.2%. Pine, the share of which is 84'%>, is a predominating tree in forest stands of the Directorate. Other forest species include fir, spruce, larch - 1%, oak - 5.2%, birch - 4.6%, alder -4%, as well as other trees such as beech, hornbeam, aspen, poplar - about 1.2%.

Rational forest management of the Directorate Is reflected in good quality of forest stands and continual growth of area occupied by forests. The annual, current increase of tree volume Is about 5.7 m3/ha. Tree stands in the area of the Łódź Directorate reach a higher average age, which is 59 years this day. Timber reserve per hectare, which amounts to about 202 cubic meters, has been increasing as well. State forests are a self-financing organization, which means that their costs have to be lower than income. The main source of income Is sale of timber, which is a renewable, human friendly product used In everyday life.

The Directorate logs no more than about 60% or the current increase of tree volume, which means that timber reserve of growing trees gets Increased by 40%. Growing of mature forests lasts about 100 years on average. In order to preserve continuity of forests existence and develop desired forest stands of good quality it is necessary to grow new plantings, get involved in tending and protective activities as well as maintain necessary infrastructure. On average, the Łódź Directorate is involved In a forestation of 320 ha of non wooded areas, renewal of 2,500 ha of areas after tree cutting and various tending procedures on an area of over 20,000 ha. We put a special emphasis on fire protection, which also covers private forests administered by Directorate. Each year, mainly due to inattention or intentional acts of people there are about 350 forest fires. Only thanks to efficient organization and good cooperation with fire stations fires don't cause major losses.

Foresters try to carry out forest economy accepted by the community since state forests are our common good. To this end, representatives of local governments and other social organizations are invited to participate in the works on development of 10-year economic plans. In addition, the Directorate is involved In large scale educational activities In the scope of knowledge on our forests and natural environment.