What is there to support? In Jablonné, we started revitalizing the whole area in 2005, it was very challenging, but we think the result is worth it. You can see for yourself by taking a virtual tour, or you can go there yourself. Čmelák - Společnost přátel přírody  is now working on the second stage on the opposite bank of the Panenský potok.

We already own 8.5 hectares of land here, and thanks to donations, we can buy another 5.5 hectares by the end of the year and unify the whole area. We plan to raise most of the money for the project from European funds.

The target condition is a large wetland area with a total of up to thirty pools, where many endangered plant and animal species find their home. If all goes according to plan, new pools will be created as early as 2021.

But we definitely do not want to stop only in Jablonné - we need to create hundreds, or rather thousands, of such complexes in our landscape. We would therefore also welcome tips on other suitable land in other towns or villages where similar wetland parks could be created, just like in Jablonné - for people and nature.  We are ready to work on this together with you.

What will you gain? Your donation will help in practical actions against drought. You will not only support a site that is freely accessible to people for recreation and eco-activity, but also the creation of a new home for rare and protected species of plants and animals.

Do you have any questions?

You can read more about the location on the website or contact us at any time:

Jan Korytář
jan.korytar@cmelak.cz

About the wetlands

What exactly are wetlands? They usually don't have a distinct boundary, they are places between water and land. Wetlands are an extraordinary ecosystem that is one of the most ecologically valuable in the world today. You will find them in the landscape as wet meadows, stream and river floodplains, wet margins of ponds or lakes, bogs, fens, and more.

Wetland eradication in the past

Over the past century, there has been a massive drainage of wetlands in the Czech Republic and Europe in favour of agricultural land. In some places around the world, this is still happening today. Wetlands were seen as useless areas that needed to be removed from the landscape.

In the Czech Republic, the area of wetlands has declined from 1,300,000 ha to about 350,000 ha since the 1950s, i.e. to only ¼ of its original size. This sounds unbelievable, as it is an area equivalent to almost the entire South Bohemia region. That is how much our landscape has changed, and that is how we are struggling with drought today. No wonder,  when we have meticulously drained and dried much of our landscape...

Benefits of wetlands for people and nature

Fortunately, people are now beginning to recognise the seriousness of the consequences of the destruction of wetlands and their irreplaceable benefits for people and nature. Wetlands retain large amounts of water and thus prevent floods and droughts. Compared to artificial reservoirs, they are able to retain and gradually release much more water. The intense evaporation from the water surface of wetlands and plants moistens the local climate and thus helps to balance temperature differences in the landscape. Wetlands support and stabilise freshwater sources, produce oxygen and also fix CO2 into sediments.