The document outlines the 'Return to Nature' educational trail at a mining site managed by HeidelbergCement, emphasizing biodiversity conservation efforts in over 1000 quarries worldwide. The trail includes 15 educational stops showcasing local ecosystems, historical features, and the impact of human activity on the environment. It aims to enhance awareness of the biological value of mining sites and promote ecological education among visitors.

1. 1. The nature educational trail „Return to nature"
A mining site provides a great variety of landscapes and habitats that present low disturbances from human activities. As a leading cement and aggregates producer,
HeidelbergCement is committed to managing
biodiversity during and after extraction. In
more than 1000 quarries and pits worldwide
we strive to promote the exceptional local flora and fauna. Through this proposal, which was created under The Quarry Life Award we want to raise the knowledge of the biological value
of mining sites and contribute to further
enhancing it.
We invite you to walk our nature trail.
If you want to know more download the application
The trail includes 15 point stops:
1. Welcoming board,
2. The historical alley of oaks
3. The area before exploitation,
4. Representative ecosystem,
5. Ruined reinforced concrete bridge
over the Bóbr River,
6. The diagram of aggregates, 7. The moraine hills in Turów,
8. Safety by the water,
9. Evaluation of the quality of water
and reading their state,
10. The Swans Island,
11. Viewpoint,
12. The monumental oaks,
13. The venerable Douglas fir,
14. The area after exploitation-
the directions of reclamation,
15. The world of plants and animals .
The proposed trail is the result of the work under the project "Valorization of the natural
environment, the educational and pro-ecological activities in the area of the Nowogród Bobrzaoski Natural Resources Mine" submitted to 2nd edition of the Quarry Life Award.

2. 2. The historical alley of oaks
Our educational nature trail starts in the alley
of historical red oaks (Quercus rubra). This
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alley is formed of 50 specimens of trees, and the circuit in diameter at breast height, ie. at
the height of 130 cm, is within the range from 194 to 366 cm. Selected specimens
reached monumental dimensions. The height
of the tallest tree is 23 m .
Did you know, that ...
This species originates from the eastern part
of North America, where it is the most common species of oak and in Poland it is an introduced
species. It was brought to Poland in the
nineteenth century and as an invasive plant was
dangerous for the native flora.
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If you want to know more download the
application

3. 3. The area before exploitation
RETURN TO NATURE
Did you know, that.
Several cycles of the glaciations
occurred in the Pleistocene,
during which the Polish area was
partially or almost completely
covered by the continental
glacier. The ice sheet grew and
http://www.adam.krynicki.net/lo/mapy/pol_lodowiec.jpg
melted periodically during this
time, that is why the Pleistocene
glacial and glaciological
sediments are almost all over the
country.
Zeki Lake and the Area
Before Exploitation in 2010
The limits of glaciations
in Poland
The regular aggregate mining started in 1963. The Bóbr River and the local
system of the drainage of the
ditches formed primarily the
hydrography of the area till this time.
Gradually, the mining was moving from the flood barrier in the east
(about 500m), and then in the
northern direction (about 1000m).
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There was not a water reservoir in the place of the current aggregate operation a few years ago. The reeds grew and the water birds nested near the shoreline of the existing reservoir called the Turowski Lake ( Zeki). The tanks established in the
mine area in an artificial way, enrich the
hydrography of the land.
If you want to know more download the
application

4. 4. Representative ecosystem
More than an obligation
Representative ecosystems are areas
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dedicated to the nature dominion,
left intentionally with no human
interference. In the State Forests,
in hampered-access terrains, forestry is not provided. In such terrains timber is left to natural decomposition, which
contributes to the increase
of biodiversity in forest ecosystem..
Did you know, that
In timber may live:
•1500 species of fungi,
•1300 species of insects, •More than 100 species
of invertebrates.
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In 2012 in local Forest Range of Krzystkowice due
to the stormy weather big damages were noticed. The nearest forest also suffered. Many trees were
uprooted or damaged. The left timber is a very
important element of forest ecosystem.
If you want to know more download the
application

5. 5. Ruined reinforced concrete
bridge over the Bóbr River
RETURN TO NATURE
The bridge visible in the pictures and marked on the map was from
1937. It is the East Bridge.
It connected the old Theuern
City (today Turów) with the
Zeschau city (today Cieszów) across the island on the Bóbr
River and the West Bridge.
The East and West Bridges were built in the early twentieth century.
Both have a reinforced concrete structure. In 1945, German troops blew
up a few bays on both bridges. They prevented the Russians the access
to the munitions factory, located in the nearby forests.
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Did you know, that
The Bóbr River has its origin in the Izerskie
Mountains in the East Karkonosze, near the town
of Bóbr in the Czech Republic. The river in the
whole of its course (272 miles) retains
the character of a mountain river, to the mouth
of the Odra River. The levees were built
in the years 1933-1936. The utensils of water
in the river reach a height of 7 m.
If you want to know more download the
application

6. 6. The diagram of aggregates
RETURN TO NATURE
Did you know, that
The deposit of the natural
aggregate forms the quaternary sediments of the accumulation
of the river developed
as a sandy- gravel forms and
multigrain sands. The aggregate
is extracted from the bottom
of the water reservoirs.
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If you want to know more download the
application

7. 7. The moraine hills
in Turów
RETURN TO NATURE
Did you know, that
Polish moraine hills are
mainly in the lake districts, as
a result of glacier activity.
In Poland, the highest
elevation of the moraine is
Wieżyca in Pomerania.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1GIlZa6nsgI/UNS6jTmkqRI/AAAAAAAAAGE/z6s-vSNVQ9s/s1600/lskan.jpg
moraine Lake ribbon lakes
glacier
less
sandur
glacial valley
sandur
frontal moraine
benthic moraine
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The landscape scheme formed by the glacier
Rock material deposited by a glacier or moved under its pressure, creates
the diverse forms, such as hills, knolls,
embankments, etc.
If you want to know more download the
application

8. 8. Safety by the water
RETURN TO NATURE
Water, so hospitable for anglers,
charming with its beauty composed
in the landscape, has a power,
which requires respect and
imagination.
Disrespect of nature has already
taken a heavy toll of human
recklessness.
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Do not disregard that ban! It is not a coincidence that
there are so many warning signs
along the lakeside. Swimming
in gravel-pit waters is very
dangerous: these reservoirs are 18 m deep, and locally may be up to 26 m. The shores are steep and
can slide causing a threat.
Do not give in to the fatal temptation.
Not far away from here, there is an equally beautiful and safe place, it is a bathing beach
which meets the conditions for safe resting
by the water.
If you want to know more download the
application

9. 9. Evaluation of the quality of
water and reading their state
RETURN TO NATURE
Water analysis is an assessment of physic-chemical
parameters, as well as the biological assessment
of water quality based on the indicator organisms.
The indicator species may be a single species
or a group of species from the group of Protista, plants and animals. Their presence or absence,
and the level of abundance are the evidence about
the state of water quality
Did you know, that
The water gauge
is used for the measurement
of water levels.
Its most important
Selected
physico- chemical
parameters
of water
Tanks
during
operation
Tanks
during
operation
component is
the gauge patch
and scale.
pH
Hardness
6,4
soft water
6,8
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Clearness
Cl2-
[mg/l]
SO4 2-
[mg/l]
medium
0,8
200
large
0
It is worth noting that the process of operation does not
significantly affect the physic-chemical parameters
of water.
If you want to know more download the
application

10. 10. The Swans Island
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) is one of the largest bird species in our country. The breeding area
of this species was restricted
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to the north - eastern Poland and Silesia at the beginning of the twentieth century.
The expansion of the species throughout the
country has begun since 1950s.
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Mute swan nest is a large platform built with
aquatic plants, mostly located on the edge of the reeds, but slots are also created on the island or
in open water.
If you want to know more download the
application

11. 11. Viewpoint
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The area is located in
the river valley, surrounded by
meadows, forests and
farmland.
The viewpoint is located on the top
of the moraine hill with gentle
slopes and low altitude.
The landscape is anthropogenic, which means that changes in the environment
were created as a result of human activity. In the mine area the effect of this activity is
the creation of water reservoirs.
The mining area is
expanded.
IT IS Clean air
The area around the mine
is characterized by high
biodiversity.
Green forest
Blue water
Silence
IT IS NOT
Polluted air
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The water reservoir
is subjected to
reclamation.
Dying forest
Polluted water
Noise
In addition to the beautiful
views of the area around the mine , it has other visionary
qualities, as seen above.
If you want to know more download the
application

12. 12. The monumental oaks
A natural monument is a legally protected creation
of nature, especially valuable
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for the scientific, historic, cultural and other
reasons. According to data from 2010
the number of natural monuments
in Poland was 36 316.
The marking
of natural
monument
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Oaks with monumental dimensions growing near
the mine buildings belong to the species of English Oak Quercus robur. There are
two specimens with dimensions of circuit
DBH - 421 and 355 cm. Thicker oak tree has a
height of 27 m.
If you want to know more download the
application

13. 13. The venerable Douglas fir
Douglas fir Pseudotsuga menziesii was
introduced to cultivation in Polish forests
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in 1833 and is considered to be one
of the most valuable species of foreign origin.
It grows up to 100 m in height in the areas
of Northern America from where it was
brought. It reaches a maximum height
of approx. 50m in Poland.
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Stately, venerable Douglas fir,
growing in the area around the mine operating circuit,
has a trunk diameter at breast
height 238 cm and height - 18 m.
If you want to know more download the
application

14. 14. The area after exploitation-
the directions of reclamation
RETURN TO NATURE
Did you know, that
Reclamation is the
restoring of the usable
and natural values of the devastated
and degraded areas by
the human activity.
Methods of recultivation of water
reservoirs are:
• removal of water bottom layer of
the lake,
• flushing,
• artificial aeration of lakes,
• inactivation of phosphorus,
• treatment and disposal of
sediments,
• removal of seston (suspension),
• economy of macrophytes,
• fishing biomanipulation.
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The area around the mine is an attractive place of active
recreation and relaxation. The
swimming pool, water
reservoir were established
and stocked by the Polish
Angling Association. Gradually
the area is changing into the shaped land of the ecosystem.
If you want to know more download the
application

15. 15. The world of plants
and animals (I)
Biodiversity includes all living organisms
RETURN TO NATURE
Did you know, that
in the analyzed area. All species play a role
in a complex system, which is the natural
environment, including the human. You can see
hundreds of interesting species of plants and
animals, including the protected species in the mine
and around the area.
Protection of species of plants is a legal way to protect rare, wild
plants threatened with extinction. THE PROTECTED SPECIES SHOULD NOT BE DESTROYED, PICKED, COLLECTED, SOLD, PURCHASED AND TRANSPORTED ACROSS THE BORDER OF THE COUNTRY, ONE SHOULD NOT DESTROY THEIR HABITATS!!!
Did you know, that
The plant located on the Red List
of plants and Polish fungi,
in a group of species at the risk of extinction- the rock cinquefoil
Potentilla rupestris L.
The plant partially protected
occurring in the mine -
the buckthorn Frangula alnus
Invasive species is an alien species that spreads rapidly
and is a threat to the flora and fauna of the ecosystem, competing
with native species for ecological niche, as well as contributing
to the extinction of native species, for example robinia acacia
or loosestrife common.
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Robinia acacia
Robinia pseudoacacia
Viola tricolor L Campanula patula L
The species of the spring flora, which feast
our eyes on the colours- the Paradise
for insects, are represented numerously
in the area of the mine.
If you want to know more download the
application
Lythrum salicaria

16. 15. The world of plants
and animals (II)
One of the vulnerable groups of animals
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are amphibians. 10 species, including frogs
of the genus Pelophylax, Rana, Hyla, natterjack toad
Epidalea calamita and toads Bombina species,
were inventoried in the mine area.
Edible frog
Pelophylax kl. esculentus
The sand lizard Lacerta agilisi and viviparous lizard Zootoca
vivipara, the Slow Worm Anguis fragilis and the grass snake Natrix
natrix were found in the group
of reptiles.
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Brown long-eared bat
Plecotus auritus
Natterjack toad Epidalea calamita
Sand lizard
Lacerta agilis
More than 180 species were
determined in the group of birds. The bats dwelling in this area are
noteworthy particularly.
If you want to know more download the
application

17. WORK CARD
The Nature Trail
"Return to Nature"
1. There is a great variety of landscapes and habitats in the mine area little disturbed by the human activity. Which company manages over 1000 quarries and mines around the world, including the mine aggregate in Nowogród Bobrzański and promotes the protection of biodiversity through the organization of the "Quarry Life Award"?
. ………………………………………………………………… …………………….
2. This species comes from the eastern part of North America, where it is the most common species of oak. It is an introduced species in Poland. It was brought to Poland in the nineteenth century. It belongs to the invasive plants - dangerous for the native flora. Give the name (Polish and Latin) of the tree, whose leaves and fruit you can see in the drawing.
.……………… …………………………………………………………………………………
3. The deposits of minerals in Nowogród Bobrzański are the results of the glacier activity. When did the exploitation of the aggregate begin in the mine?
. …………………………………………………………………

18. 4. There were big damages caused by the hurricane winds in the local Krzystkowice Forest District in 2012. They also affected the nearby forest. Many of the trees were uprooted or broken. The left dead wood is an important component of the forest ecosystem. This whole area is called the representative ecosystem. Can we carry out cleanup works (for example, remove the broken branches) in the area of the representative ecosystem?
. …………………………………………………………………
5. The landscape that we can see in the mine area was formed as a result of human activity. How can we determine the character of this landscape - the landscape transformed by man?
. …………………………………………………………………… ………………….
6. What does, the plaque with the image of our national emblem, ie. the eagle on the green background, placed on the tree, mean?
.…………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………….
7. The area around the mine is an attractive place of active recreation and rest. The bathing beach was built there and the water reservoirs are restocked by the Polish Angling Association. What is called the human activity that seeks to restore the utility and natural values of the devastated and degraded sites?

19. . ……………………………………………………………………
8. Name the two protected species of plants and four protected species of animals in the mine area.
. ………………………………………………………….
. ………………………………………………………….
. ………………………………………………………….
. ………………………………………………………….
9. Two specimens of this species growing in the mine area are of monumental dimensions. At what height was the circumference of these trees measured and what kind of tree is this?
………………
The Work card was prepared by K. Walińska.