Wildlife Society „Stork” is one of the biggest and most active Polish non-governmental nature-conservation organizations. We are a nationwide organization with a status of the Public Benefit Organization. We have been members of IUCN since 2004. Our areas of work are nature conservation (mainly through active methods), monitoring of ecosystems’ health and education of the society.

History
Wildlife Society „Stork” was formally founded in 1994, however, it’s beginnings go back to late 80’s. Then, a group of ornitologists working and studying at the University of Podlasie (Akademia Podlaska) contacted over 200 people in order to collect data about birds, amphibians and mammals living in Mazovia. In early 90’s, people coordinating these efforts established the Mazovian Society for the Protection of Fauna . In 2003, we decided to change the previous name to the Wildlife Society “Stork”, because our research and projects started to go beyond Mazovian province and concened not only animals but also plants. The White stork is one of symbols of traditional rural landscape in Poland and one of Society’s priority species.

Goals and tasks
Our members and partners carry out nature conservation projects. We implement programs which help to preserve indigenous species such as White stork Ciconia ciconia, Black stork Cigonia nigra, Barn owl Tyto alba, Long-eared owl Asio otus, European Roller Coracias garrulus, Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus , Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus, Edible Dormouse Glis glis, Forest dormouse Dryomys nitedula, bats, amphibians and insects. We protect rare and endangered species of plants and valuable landscapes.(eg. the Bug River valley). The Society carries out training for farmers, vets and employees of State Forests. Society is also running comprehensive education actions via Internet website, brochures, leaflets and school lectures. We cooperate with local authorities, Forest Service, media, regional nature conservation offices and non-government environmental organizations. We gather data about fauna and flora, prepare management plans for protected areas, necessary documentation for territories of valuable landscape. We take part in nature saving interventions.