Poland's Parliament Approves New Lower Oder Valley National Park, First in 24 Years

Parliamentary Approval Marks Milestone

Poland's parliament, the Sejm, officially approved plans on Friday, September 27, 2025, to create the Lower Oder Valley National Park. This decision marks a significant environmental milestone for the country, as it will be Poland's first new national park established in 24 years. The last national park, Warta Mouth National Park, was created in 2001.

The proposed park is situated in the Lower Oder Valley, a unique wetland area along the Oder River that forms part of the border with Germany. The initiative has been driven by a desire to protect the region's rich biodiversity, particularly after an ecological disaster in 2022 that severely impacted the Oder River.

Ecological Significance of the Lower Oder Valley

Often referred to as 'Poland's Amazon' or the 'European Amazon,' the Lower Oder Valley is recognized for its exceptional ecological value. The area encompasses fluviogenic peat bogs, wet meadows, intricate networks of canals, and oxbow lakes.

It serves as a critical habitat for a vast array of wildlife, including:

• 237 bird species, with 129 known breeding species
• Over 460 plant species, many of which are rare or endangered
• 38 species of fish

The valley is also a vital breeding and resting ground for migratory birds, with significant populations of species such as the black stork, aquatic warbler, and corn crake.

On the German side of the border, the area has been protected as the Nationalpark Unteres Odertal since 1995, while the Polish side has held the lower classification of a landscape park since 1993.

Legislative Process and Opposition

The bill passed the Sejm with 226 votes in favor and 198 against. Support primarily came from the ruling coalition, while opposition parties, including Law and Justice (PiS) and Konfederacja, voted against it.

Opponents have raised concerns that the national park could negatively impact commercial shipping on the Oder River. The bill now proceeds to the upper-house Senate, where the government also holds a majority. However, the final step requires the signature of President Karol Nawrocki. There is a possibility of a presidential veto, as President Nawrocki, aligned with the opposition, has previously vetoed government bills. He has not yet publicly stated his position on this specific legislation.

Scope and Funding

The proposed Lower Oder Valley National Park is initially planned to cover an area of 3,856 hectares (approximately 40 square kilometers) across the municipalities of Kołbaskowo, Widuchowa, Szczecin, and Gryfino in the West Pomerania province. There are provisions for potential enlargement to a total of 6,051 hectares.

The establishment and operation of the park are projected to cost up to 167 million PLN (€39.2 million) between 2026 and 2035, with 19 million PLN (€4.4 million) allocated for the first year of operation in 2026. These funds are expected to come entirely from the state budget. The preliminary date for the park's official establishment is November 1, 2025.