It was established on 1 May 1990. Its area is 11 535 ha.
Drawa National Park (DNP) is the most picturesque part of the Drawska Plain, a large sandur area the Pomeranian Lake District, occupied by complex forestry of Drawa Wilderness, also known as the Forest on the Drawa. National park, with a characteristic V shape encompasses the valley of the Drava River and its tributary – Plociczna River and fragments of the Wilderness with its mid-forest meadows, bogs and lakes. DNP and its buffer zone are connected to the Drawa’s drainage basin of 567 km2. In The Drawa National Park the area of 1 391 ha is subject to strict protection.
These are the most valuable natural parts of the Park. In the field, they are marked with blue bands on bordering trees or specially arranged pillars. The whole area is dominated by forestry (forest ecosystems) which comprises 80 percent of the park – mainly Beech, Alder and Pine. The characteristic elements of park’s nature are also bogs, aquatic and meadow ecosystems.
Drawa National Park has over 900 species of vascular plants, nearly 150 species of trees and shrubs and more than 200 different plant associations. Such diversity of vegetation is rarely encountered in Poland. Among other things, due to the wealth of Drawa National Park is one of the most interesting botanically regions in north-western Poland. The biggest botanical curiosities are: Chamaedaphne, Liparis Loeselii, Turk's Cap Lily.
Botanists are impressesed with beauty of phytocoenoses peat, rich flora of meadows and flora associated with river ecosystems, flora springs and lakes, as well as well-preserved ecosystems Beech and Pine forests. DNP’s flora, thanks to the fact that it is so well preserved, it is unique in the Polish lowlands and deserves a loving protection. DNP’s fauna is characterized by its remarkable qualities distinguishing not only in the region but the whole country, and even in the Central Europe. One of the most valuable elements of nature park is ichthyofauna - species endangered and extremely endangered - River Lamprey, Brook Lamprey, Sea Trout, Vimba Bream, numerous and relatively stable populations of rare species have been preserved here - Brown Trout, Grayling, Minnow and Bullhead. The area of the park is also an important refuge for birdlife. In the Park and in its immediate vicinity during the study period scientists discovered over 160 species of birds such as: Black Stork, Goosander, Black Kite, Red Kite, White-Tailed Eagle, The Lesser Spotted Eagle, Osprey, Hazel Grouse, Owl and Tengmalm. Other species of rare or endangered on a regional scale, of the insular nature of the occurrence, associated with disappearing types of ecosystems include: Cormorant, Goldeneye, Honey Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Hobby, Corncrake, Crane, Snipe, A Loner, A Bruise, Kingfisher, Wryneck, Green Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Gray Wagtail, River Warbler, Firecrest, Great Grey Shrike, Right, Red Crossbill and others. Park’s mammal fauna comprises of more than 40 species. Noteworthy is the presence of numerous bats, represented in the Park by 8 species, as well as numerous populations of beaver and otter. External threats to park’s wildlife are mainly related to water and wastewater management of municipalities, animal farms and the assignment of land for recreational purposes, including mining gravel.
Eliminating these risks is regulated by legislation and provisions of development plans, but also largely depends on the cooperation of local authorities, municipalities and counties with the administration of the Park.
Hiking trails of varied difficulty: red, blue, yellow and black. Exploring the woods of Drawa National Park is the best way of knowing it. There is approximately 90 km of hiking trails in DNP, which are available all year round from dawn to dusk also for cycling and cross-country skiing. Cycling trails: red "Pętla Zatom" (20,64 km), blue: "Pętla Barnimie" (33,16 km), green:" Pętla Głusko" (23,50 km). Horse trails: Drawnik-Zatom (24,02 km), trail "Zatom" loop I (7,14 km), "Zatom"- loop II (6,30).
Find out more on:
http://dpn.pl/en
