World Wetlands Day at the Faculty of Biology

09 02 2026

Last weekend (31 January–1 February 2026), the Faculty of Biology hosted the celebrations of World
Wetlands Day. This year’s edition was held under the slogan “Wetlands and traditional knowledge:
celebrating cultural heritage”. The event has been organised at our Faculty since 2009.

On 31 January, a field walk was organised in the area of Konstancin-Jeziorna, through Łąki Oborskie
and near the Łęgi Oborskie nature reserve, in the area of the planned wetland park. The walk was led
by Wiktor Kotowski, Daniel Petryczkiewicz and Katarzyna Kitel. Participants walked through
meadows and wetland areas, learning about the natural value of this place, its cultural background, and
the challenges related to wetland protection and improving water retention in the area.

On 1 February, an on-site event took place at the Faculty of Biology of the University of Warsaw and
was opened by the Vice-Dean for Student Affairs, Dr Takao Ishikawa. The programme included
lectures on the relationship between people and wetlands, including ethnobiological and humanistic
perspectives. There was also a “wetland review of 2025”, summarising key events from the past year,
as well as information about activities related to the Ramsar Convention. An important part of the day
was the Wetland Ideas Bazaar, featuring stands of organisations and initiatives working for wetland
protection, as well as activities for families and workshops for children. The event ended with a
concert by the band BIELE.

The central point of the Sunday programme was a panel discussion led by Prof. Wiktor Kotowski from
the Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection. Different perspectives on nature
conservation were presented, including approaches focused on cultural heritage, people’s needs and
the protection of ecosystems themselves.

About 150 guests took part in this year’s celebrations. Student communities of the Faculty were also
involved in the organisation of the event, including the Botany Students’ Scientific Society and UW
for Climate Student Research Group, and many students supported the event as volunteers.

The lectures are available to watch on the Facebook page of the Centre for Wetlands Conservation:
https://www.facebook.com/centrum.ochrony.mokradel/videos/1601487957866844

We also invite you to visit the website of the Centre for Wetlands Conservation.
https://www.facebook.com/centrum.ochrony.mokradel
https://www.bagna.pl/com