General Dezydery Chłapowski Landscape Park

The General Dezydery Chłapowski Landscape Park, established in 1992 in the Greater Poland Voivodeship, spans the districts of Kościan and Śrem, encompassing the village of Turew and several surrounding localities. Covering an area of 17,323.21 hectares, the park is named after Dezydery Chłapowski, a Polish general, economic activist, and pioneer of "organic work," highlighting the historical significance of this region in the development of modern agricultural methods in harmony with nature. The park is characterized by its landscape diversity, with 65% of its area occupied by cultivated fields, 8.5% by grasslands, and 14.7% by forests, including the largest forest complex – the Rąbiń Forest. A key feature of the park is its unique agricultural landscape, with a network of mid-field tree stands created during Chłapowski's time. It is a place of great ecological importance, where research on agricultural landscape ecosystems is conducted by the Institute of Agricultural and Forest Environment of the Polish Academy of Sciences. The park boasts rich fauna and flora – approximately 270 plant species and 43 butterfly species have been recorded here, including the rare mason bee (Osmia bicornis) and the horntail Tremex magus, new to the Polish fauna. The park is also home to numerous mammal species, such as the European beaver, otter, moose, fallow deer, and raccoon dog. Interestingly, since the park's establishment, its landscape has been enriched by new afforestation and the restoration of water ponds. Progressive afforestation, especially along local roads, contributes to environmental protection and enhances the region's biodiversity. The park also offers tourist trails, including a black trail leading through Kościan, Gryżyna, Kopaszewo, and Rąbiń, and a green trail connecting Kościan with Racot, Gryżyna, Nowy Dębiec, Osiek, Choryń, Turew, Kopaszewo, and Książ Wielkopolski. These hiking routes allow visitors to explore the natural and cultural richness of the region while providing an opportunity to experience the unique agricultural and natural landscape of this area.