Nature Without Borders – A Biodiversity Meadow on Post-Mining Lands

Przyroda bez granic. Ochrona terenów pokopalnianych poprzez edukację społeczną i rewitalizację terenu.

As part of the Nature Without Borders project, we established a biodiversity meadow on biologically degraded post-mining land.

The aim was to restore the ecosystem value of the area by creating a space that supports:

  • Pollinators – through the selection of pollen- and nectar-producing plants, including late-flowering species;
  • Birds – both granivorous and insectivorous species, by providing seeds and an insect-based food source;
  • Butterflies – by enabling their full life cycle: host plants for caterpillars and nectar plants for adults (imago).

Insects – the Foundation of a Sustainable Ecosystem

Insects are not only pollinators – they are the cornerstone of entire ecosystems. Without them, trophic networks collapse. Unfortunately, habitat loss, monoculture dominance, and excessive green space maintenance standards lead to a lack of food sources for insects by late summer.

That is why we promote the creation of ecological corridors, flower beds, and unmown lawn sections – as well as the planting of native, late-flowering species.

"Meadow for Wild Birds" Seed Mix

In consultation with the Polish Society for the Protection of Birds (OTOP), the Botanical Garden in Mikołów, and the Łąki Kwietne foundation, we sowed a specialist mix of 37 native species. Key plant species include:

  • For pollinators: Centaurea cyanus (cornflower), Trifolium pratense (red clover), Agrostemma githago (corncockle);
  • For birds: Plantago major (broadleaf plantain), Knautia arvensis (field scabious), Sinapis arvensis (wild mustard);
  • For butterflies:
    • Papilio machaon (Old World swallowtail) – supported by Daucus carota (wild carrot),
    • Polyommatus icarus (common blue) – supported by Lotus corniculatus (bird’s-foot trefoil),
    • Medicago lupulina (black medick).

Host Plants for Butterflies

Our activities are deliberately aimed at enabling the full life cycle of butterflies. Therefore, the surroundings of the meadow have been enriched with:

  • Rhamnus cathartica (buckthorn) – for Gonepteryx rhamni (brimstone);
  • Ulmus laevis (European white elm) and Salix caprea (goat willow) – for Nymphalis antiopa (mourning cloak);
  • Prunus spinosa (blackthorn) and Crataegus monogyna (common hawthorn) – for Iphiclides podalirius (scarce swallowtail).

Support for Birds

Species such as Capsella bursa-pastoris (shepherd’s purse), Plantago lanceolata (narrowleaf plantain), and Daucus carota (wild carrot) provide a natural source of seeds for granivorous birds. At the same time, the presence of numerous insects attracts insectivorous bird species, creating a comprehensive food base and contributing to an increase in local avian diversity.

Changing Landscapes – and Awareness

Our meadow is not only a place full of life, but also an educational space – it demonstrates how responsible planning can restore biodiversity even on degraded land.

Seed Collection – Conservation and Self-Sufficiency

Together with experts from the Botanical Garden, we identified the value of collecting seeds of Tanacetum vulgare (tansy), Achillea millefolium (common yarrow), and Trifolium pratense (red clover). This is a crucial step – it supports local varieties and builds project independence.

What’s Next?

A meadow is a living organism – it develops, evolves, and sparks interest. It not only restores ecological functions to a degraded area, but also serves an educational role. It shows how biodiversity can be intentionally restored and sustained using scientific knowledge and responsible planning.

In the future, we plan to expand the project to include biodiversity monitoring and field workshops for residents and schools. After all, every meadow is a natural factory of life. And nature knows no borders – it just needs a little help.