7 years of the Żubr Fund: PLN 7 million for nature and endangered species

PLN 7 million allocated to nature conservation, nearly 63 hectares of land placed under protection, 50 micro-reserves established, and dozens of projects carried out – this is the seven-year legacy of the Żubr Fund. The initiative supports the protection of endangered animal species and Poland’s most ecologically valuable areas, demonstrating that long-term commitment yields tangible results for the environment.

Since its inception, the Żubr Fund has collaborated with non-governmental organizations, scientific institutes, national parks, and conservation experts. Their joint efforts focus on habitat protection, land purchases, scientific research funding, educational campaigns, and emergency wildlife rescue.

– We are proud to have built an initiative over the past seven years that genuinely supports the preservation of Polish nature. Every single zloty contributed translates into concrete activities – protected habitats, safer conditions for endangered species, and projects delivering lasting benefits for future generations. We are fully committed to continuing this support, with another PLN 500,000 to be donated later this year for land acquisitions – says Jacek Grabarczyk, Żubr Brand Director.

Nature conservation begins with habitat protection

One of the Fund’s key objectives is securing ecologically valuable areas adjacent to Białowieża National Park and Biebrza National Park. Thanks to cooperation with the Dziedzictwo Przyrodnicze Foundation, 50 micro-reserves have already been established in the Carpathian and Borecka Primeval Forests, and over 48 hectares of so-called “Eternal Forests” in the Biebrza Valley have been brought under protection. By the end of 2025, the Fund helped safeguard nearly 64 hectares of terrain vital for maintaining biodiversity.

In recent years, strategic land purchases by the Dziedzictwo Przyrodnicze Foundation near Biebrza National Park have effectively expanded one of Europe’s premier wetland sanctuaries, safeguarding a vital refuge for rare birds and mammals.

– The greatest value of activities such as land acquisition lies in their permanent protection. In our case, these are swamp forests, i.e. alder carrs, which we have named Eternal Forests in our project. These forest zones serve as a critical sanctuary for many wildlife species. Protecting the Eternal Forests gives nature the space to function according to its natural rhythm, making it one of the most effective strategies for saving endangered species. However, permanence is essential here. That is why no commercial forestry or economic activity is permitted within the Eternal Forests. They govern themselves, and trees grow and decay naturally on the stump. What the natural world needs most today is space, as it is growing scarcer every day. Equally vital is establishing protective zones for rare lichen and bird species. Thanks to the support of the Żubr Fund, we have contributed to creating further micro-reserves across two primeval forest complexes – emphasizes Radosław Michalski, President of the Dziedzictwo Przyrodnicze Foundation.

From the European bison to bats

Over the past seven years, the Żubr Fund has backed initiatives dedicated to protecting a wide range of wild species, including the European bison, wolf, lynx, brown bear, beaver, bats, and the European ground squirrel. It has also funded actions aimed at mitigating human-wildlife conflicts and fostering social acceptance for species protection.

Additionally, funding has been directed to wildlife rehabilitation centres as well as emergency response initiatives aimed at rescuing individual animals and protecting high-value natural sites requiring immediate intervention.

Science and technology for nature

The Fund actively supports the development of modern tools to empower nature conservation. Grants have allowed research institutions and national parks to deploy specialized equipment for animal tracking and field research.

– New technologies, including artificial intelligence and advanced monitoring systems, provide scientists with brand-new tools to study wildlife. They allow us to gain a much deeper understanding of individual species’ needs, track population shifts, and identify emerging threats more swiftly. Data analysis that once demanded months of effort from large teams can now be completed in hours. This enables us to design conservation measures more effectively and make data-driven decisions that directly translate into more effective protection of nature – explain Prof. Tomasz Borowik, Director at the Mammal Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN).

A collective win for nature

The Żubr Fund’s seven-year journey demonstrates that effective nature conservation requires synergy across multiple sectors — civil society organizations, scientists, public institutions, and business. Beyond millions of zlotys invested, the real success lies in the impact on Polish nature: protected habitats, safer conditions for endangered species, and permanently preserved natural treasures.

This is an achievement in which everyone involved in the Fund’s growth can take immense pride, proving that consistent, sustained effort makes a real difference in preserving Poland’s natural heritage. Detailed information about the achievements of the Żubr Fund can be found at: funduszzubra.pl