Reclamation in Budziska – Trees That Restore Life

For many years, the post-mining areas of KSM Ruda in Budziska bore the marks of exploitation: barren soil, absence of vegetation, scorching heat, wind, and drought. Today, this site is slowly recovering – and the driving force behind this transformation is trees. As part of the international Quarry Life Award competition, we are implementing comprehensive reclamation activities.

As part of the NATURE WITHOUT BORDERS project, we have launched a process of restoring life to degraded land through deliberate planting of native species. We are not only reforesting, but also designing a future ecosystem: resilient, diverse, and self-sustaining. Our actions are local, but our thinking is global. In the past 50 years, the global forest area has decreased by half, while vertebrate populations have declined by as much as 60% (WWF, 2018). This is a call to action.

In the first planting stage (2022), together with senior citizens, we planted over 800 trees and shrubs. Many of them now show clear growth – especially black alder (Alnus glutinosa), European white elm (Ulmus laevis), and pedunculate oak (Quercus robur). Field observations indicate that these species perform best under harsh site conditions, including drought and fluctuating rainfall. Consequently, they have been prioritized in further stages of the project.

In May 2025, we initiated the next phase. The previously planted trees were joined by:

Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) – drought-resistant, valuable for birds and pollinators,
Common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) – strengthening the understory and providing a food source,
Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) – a natural protective barrier, stabilizing slopes and supporting biodiversity,
Additional pedunculate oaks, this time sourced from the local nursery Taxus Arbor, which increased their chances of survival and stable development.

The plantings are designed to create a complex structure: multi-layered, diverse, and functional. These trees support reclamation efforts by:

Enriching the soil – e.g., alders fix atmospheric nitrogen,
Regulating the microclimate – providing shade, retaining moisture, lowering temperatures,
Absorbing dust and noise pollution,
Enhancing biodiversity and improving habitat structure,
Attracting local fauna – birds, pollinators, small mammals,
Creating a durable, resilient habitat capable of self-regeneration over time.

Collaboration with Taxus Arbor and Local Nurseries

The next batch of oaks in our project was sourced from local nursery material provided by Taxus Arbor. Their seedlings possess a robust root system and a high survival rate – laying the foundation for the long-term sustainability of our efforts.

A Sustainable Future for Budziska

Reclamation through afforestation or reforestation is not only a renewal of the landscape – it is an investment in ecosystem health and community safety. Our actions are local, but our perspective is future-oriented, where every hectare of restored nature makes a difference.

TREES – GUARDIANS OF ECOSYSTEMS AND URBAN TRANQUILLITY

According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), Polish cities are among the most polluted in Europe – of the 2,500 cities analyzed, 19 of the 20 worst-ranked were in Poland. The pollution is caused, among others, by the burning of waste (including PET) and low-quality coal. The problem is further exacerbated by ongoing deforestation.

Trees reduce particulate air pollution by up to threefold, lower temperatures, protect against flash floods, absorb noise, retain water, and – above all – provide shelter and oxygen.
The absence of trees leads to increased dust levels, the formation of urban heat islands, higher flood risks, and hazards for drivers due to sudden gusts of wind.

We act locally, but think globally. We support the climate, biodiversity, and the safety of local communities. This is the true value of ecological reclamation projects.

NATURE WITHOUT BORDERS – because every tree matters.