Stobrawski Nature Landscape Park

Stobrawski Nature Landscape Park – with 52 636 ha total area of the park, it is the biggest nature landscape park in Poland.  Stobrawski Nature Landscape Park covers 12 communes of Opole Voivodship, including 5 communes of the Count of Opole. Name of the park is derived from its location – river basin of four rivers, namely: Stobrawa, Budkowiczanki, Brynica and Smotrawa. The Oder-Neisse line marks the southern border of the park. Stobrawski Nature Landscape Park is situated in the western part of the County, in Communes of: Murów, Dobrzeń Wielki, Łubniany, Dąbrowa and Popielów.

Characteristic features of the park are lowlands with water-muddy stands.  The park preserves most precious areas of Silesia Lowlands. Comprises compact areas of Stobrawsko – Turawskie Forests with mono-cultural pine forests and over 200 years old mature forests. In its valleys, there are mostly deciduous forests, such as:  mixed ash – alder forests, ash – elm combination and very rare; willow - poplar forests. 

Location of the park in river valleys, relates to rich fauna, especially birds, such as: black and red kite, being is the symbol of the park, forest dormouse and lesser spotted eagle. In vicinity of fish farm ponds, which area is of circa  600 ha, we may spot white tailed eagle, grey and white heron, cormorant and other water birds. There are also amphibians to be spotted, like European tree frog, and grass frog. Bird watchers might spot nest of the following species: black stork,  green sandpiper and boreal owl.

The basin of Budkowiczanka River is one of the most picturesque places of Stobrawski Nature Landscape Park. It is inhabited by otters, beavers, and dragonfly of Calopterygidae order.

If we go for a stroll alongside the Budkowiczanka River, we will find remains of medieval keep (13th century). Nowadays, only ramparts of those ancient Slavic buildings are preserved.   Flora of the park is also worth mentioning. In total, there are 49 registered species of vascular plants, including 7  species that require so called “active” protection actions, namely; Common Spotted-orchid, Early Marsh-orchid, Western Marsh-orchid, Adder's-tongue, Water Chestnut, Fen Violet and Meadow Saffron.

Unquestionable tourist attraction of the park, are sand dunes which might be of up to 30 meters height.  Nowadays, those dunes are covered with sub-oceanic forest. Uncovered fragments of dunes might be seen in vicinity of Dąbrówka Łubniańska and Karłowice. Between dunes and in their fore-fields, there are peat bogs covered with larch trees, bog lands with beautiful Round-leaved Sundews.  There are four nature reserves in Stobrawski Nature Landscape Park: Rogalice, Leśna Woda, Śmiechowice, Lubsza, ecological preservation sites of: Gęsi Staw, Jagienickie Łąki and Puchacz. There are also 11 walking routes where one can admire the beauty of Stobrawski Nature Landscape Park.