Many years of observing this natural beauty have led to the present collection of 100 dazzling pictures by the internationally celebrated photographer and documentary film-maker Jan Walencik. These large-format photographs feature scientific descriptions of their subject-matter by prominent experts. Promoting knowledge about biodiversity, the concept of balanced development and encouraging ecological attitudes, this exhibition, along with the accompanying educational program, may be treated as a source of scientific knowledge and a useful teaching aid addressed first and foremost to secondary school pupils and students The Arbores Vitae educational program and internet competition are sponsored by the Podlasie Administrator for Education.

The participants of the educational program will take an amazing trip to successive levels of this Primeval Forest habitat - from the activities underground to the crowns of the sometimes almost 50 metre high trees. They will see that everything in the forest lives not so much side by side, but with each other, constantly circulating in an uninterrupted cycle of life. The exhibition ARBORES VITAE is a chance to take a look at the whole natural environment and show its beauty and all its wonders.

Unfortunately, this unique and priceless forest area is not able to defend itself against the degradation caused by human activities. Of the 57 species of mammal so far observed in the Primeval Forest as many as 14 are found in the Red Book of Threatened Species maintained by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The organizers of the exhibition draw attention to this serious problem, believing that wisdom may be reached through beauty. Right now, in 2011, declared the International Year of Forests, the threatened treasures of Europe’s wild nature deserve our special attention and protection. For this reason the special program entitled the NATURE 2000 European Ecological Network was established, against the background of which the ARBORES VITAE exhibition is presented.

The educational proposal, whose goal is to increase ecological consciousness, embraces the following elements:
 

THE PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION

 

100 large-format photographs measuring 180 x 120 cms. These pictures, the result of many years of work by the prominent photographer and documentary film-maker Jan Walencik, present the exceptional biodiversity of the Bialowieza Primeval Forest and are provided with scientific descriptions in Polish and English written by prominent specialists.

INFORMATIVE CHARTS

 

18 informative charts measuring 180 x 120 cms. with information on the Bialowieza Primeval Forest, among others "ARBORES VITAE – the last such forest ”, "The forest, a treasure trove of biodiversity”, "Wild is beautiful”, "The last such forest”, "The forest by numbers”, and also concerning the NATURE 2000 network (in the context of Europe, Poland and Podlasie). The texts are presented in Polish and English.

LEARNING EXPERIENCES WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

 

Qualified guides specializing in the field of environmental protection will show organized groups around the grounds of the exhibition. Educational events will be held every day. The programme of events embraces: looking at photographs, the showing of a film about forests, a lecture on the different types of forests depending on the climatic zone and the predominant vegetation in each, and a discussion of the threats and ways of protecting a forest’s biodiversity.

Events will have an attractive style adapted to different ages and levels of knowledge (e.g. for younger participants - various kinds of contests and artistic tasks). The maximum planned length of the events is 1.5 hours, intended for small groups of up to 15 participants. Where a class of say 30 pupils is to participate, they will be divided into two groups – each with its own guide.

 

CINEMA ARBORES VITAE

 

Every day from morning till evening, the multimedia pavilion operating within the framework of the exhibition will be showing an excellent film about the Bialowieza Primeval Forest and the NATURE 2000 program.

Moreover, every Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m., feature documentary films will be screened – a series of 8 film shows on the subject of the Bialowieza Primeval Forest, including "The saga of the primeval forest” - the latest natural history series by Bożena and Jan Walencik, and the film "Roots. Visions of Wangari Maathai”, a breathtaking documentary film, whose heroine is Wangari Maathai, a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize (for more information, visit the websites http://www.arboresvitae.eu and http://www.centrumziemi.eu).

 

EDUKACYJNY WORTAL INTERNETOWY

 

The program of events also includes an educational site available to all on the Internet. This is systematically updated with the very latest information and constitutes a source of in-depth information on the Bialowieza Primeval Forest and other forests of the world, prepared with the help of prominent specialists in the field of ecology and environmental protection.

ALL-POLAND INTERNET COMPETITION

 

The aim of this competition is to increase knowledge about forest ecosystems and the importance of forests both for modern man and the development of European civilization. It is also intended to inspire the participants to creative efforts aimed at saving our forests. The competition’s formula (34 test questions and one open question) is intended to encourage the participants to independently seek new information and show their creativity.

Thanks to the attractive prizes offered – among other things a film and an album by Jan Walencik, and trips to the Bialowieza Primeval Forest – the competition should prove a real attraction for a broad range of participants. It is intended above all for schoolchildren aged 10-18.

 

THE SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE "A DAY FOR THE FOREST"

 

A scientific conference is to be held at the end of October 2011. During this event, well advertised by the media, large numbers of the public will be able to meet the most prominent Polish explorers of both our own native forests and those in distant parts of the globe. The talks by these scholars will be accompanied by some fascinating films and multimedia presentations. Direct contact with these esteemed experts, and also the authors of pictures and films and viewing of their works will be an opportunity to see forests in a completely new way and obtain a fuller understanding of the complex processes taking place in these habitats

An important element of this event will also be the awarding of first prizes in the All-Poland Internet Competition ARBORES VITAE.

 

A LARGE-FORMAT "POLAND - NATURE 2000" MAP

 

A colourful, 6 x 6 metre floor map entitled "Poland - NATURE 2000” will be on show at the exhibition. This is intended as a place of education through fun, and will no doubt be particularly attractive for the youngest participants. Marked out on this map will be the areas of the NATURE 2000 European Ecological Network, along with icons indicating characteristic plant and animal species protected by the program. The map was specially created for the ARBORES VITAE series in cooperation with the General Directorate of Environmental Protection in Warsaw.

LET'S ACT TOGETHER!

 

The organizers of the ARBORES VITAE event are open to various forms of co-operation with those persons and organizations keen to work for the good of our Primeval Forests. This may take the form of informative campaigns or else literary, artistic or other competitions. On our part, we wish to propose a competition for the most interesting ecological Christmas tree decoration (made from recycled materials). More details may be found on the web site

PARTICIPATION IN THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IS FREE
If you wish to take advantage of our educational offer, please contact us in advance.