Education, creation of local collections of cultivars and planting new trees are activities necessary to slow down the ongoing degradation of old orchards and fruit alleys. Only this way we can secure old cultivars for future generations. Protection of all growing stocks including alleys and mid-field growing stocks is of significant importantce for the balance and specific character of the rural landscape.  One of the most important issues is to make communities and decision-makers aware that most current growing stocks includes mature or even old trees. This means that if we do not plant new growing stocks on a large scale, in 30 years our landscape will look significantly different.  Unfortunatelly it will be much poorer, less attractive, while areas under crops not being protected by growing stocks will be more vulnerable to dangers e.g. wind erosion. There will be no habitats for plants and animals which will result in decrease in biological variety.

„Apple trail – an initiative for protection mid-field growing stock, alleys and traditional orchards” project is being implemented by Walor Association between 01.07.2009 and 30.06.2010 in międzychodzki poviat. The project is educational and was created as a response to the problem of disappearance of mid-field growing stocks, road-side alleys and traditional orchards which constitute the unique character of the rural landscape of the Sierakowski Landscape Park and the neighbouring communes. The initiative is aimed at focusing rural communities’ attention towards the need for protecting growing stocks and traditional orchards as landscape elements contributing to sustainable environment. Moreover it creates opportunities for civil engagement and actions for active protection of growing stocks and old cultivars of fruit trees.

The project planned a series of events which create opportunities for young people to engage in the issue of growing stocks protection. For students from secondary and high schools there are two competitions: photographic one and multimedia presentation one. Schools host classes where students can learn about functions of the growing stock and traditional orchards in our landscape and about many interesting facts about birds of the rural landscape

Thanks to the support of young people and teachers from partner schools we have planted 150 apple trees and 40 cherry-trees in alleys around Chalin. Apple trees represent 15 traditional cultivars on strong-growing seedlings of Antonovka. Supplemented fruit alleys which were described on information boards and in brochures, will be an education path called “Apple trail”: We hope that the planted trees will find the purpose in using their beauty, taste and aroma of the fruit to serve not only us, but the future generations.

Thanks to active support of young people we have also created Old Fruit Tree Cultivars Exposition in the area of the Environmental Education Centre in Chalin, which consisted of a collection and a nursery. The nursery consists of apple, pear and plum rootstocks, which after rooting will be used as a material for rooting lessons or to fill nearby alleys. A collection of almost 100 trees rooted this spring will present 50 traditional cultivars collected while stocktaking and those brought by participants during autumn trainings.

In the first half of February we have invited farmers and other interested persons to trainings, which took place in partner communes of the project. At the trainings the participants could learn about possibilities of Pack 6.4 traditional orchards (Farm and Environment Programme). The participants also learned how growing stocks have positive influence on crops and the landscape, and how to select species of trees and bushes for growing stocks.

On 2nd and 23rd March we invite farmers and other interested persons for two trainings which will take place in the Natural Education Centre in Chalin. Mr. Grzegorz Hodun, an expert from the Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture in Skierniewice, will explain why cultivating old cultivars and traditional orchards is so important and which strains we have in our orchards and alleys. Moreover, during the practical showcase we will learn how to root trees of old fruit strains and how to take care of a traditional orchard.

In May and in June we invite farmers to Chalin for Dendrological Picnics and young people for trips on the Apple Trail. During the Picnics the participants will take part in field activities in recognising species of trees and bushes, as well as discussing the role of growing stocks in farming landscapes..

An important part of the project is promotion of partnership between Walor Association, the Tree Council Association from Britain, Group of Małopolskie Voivodeship Landscape Parks, and authorities of following communes: Chrzypsko Wielkie, Kwilcz, Sieraków i Międzychód, together wilth farming schools: dr F, Cieszkowski-Dembiński School Complex no. 3 in Międzychodzie, and prof. M. Siła Nowicki School Complex in Sieraków.

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