On the site of a former gravel pit in Bierawa, nature reclaims space, and people gain a unique place for learning and relaxation. The educational path "Bierawa - a mine restored to nature" - created by Cemex Poland in cooperation with Jan Długosz University in Częstochowa - shows how a reclaimed area can be vibrant and become a center for local environmental education. Here, nature tells its own story - with the help of information boards, centuries-old black oaks and field activities that combine learning with fun.
The educational path "Bierawa - a mine restored to nature" was created in 2017 on the reclaimed area of the gravel pit owned by Cemex Poland. Since then it has been a place for environmental education and a local tourist attraction for recreation and leisure.
Educational path "Bierawa - mine restored to nature"
© Cemex
How does nature develop on land transformed by man? Visitors to the educational path in Bierawa will find the answer to this question. Nine boards placed around the post-mining reservoir present interesting facts about how the gravel deposited here was created, what influences the surrounding landscape and what representatives of the local fauna and flora can be found here. An additional attraction of the path are black oak trees, which are fossil wood extracted during mining from water deposits. Due to the lack of access to air and moisture, it has been perfectly preserved and has survived in the ground for at least several hundred years.
In Bierawa, nature coexists with Cemex's mining operations, and we do our best to make a positive contribution to the local community. Maintaining the educational path and organizing educational events on its territory is one of the manifestations of this activity
- says Michał Jałocha, Manager of the Bierawa site at Cemex Polska.
Just last month, the path was visited by more than 130 students from the School and Kindergarten Complex in Stary Koźle and the Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff Elementary School in Solarnia. Cemex invited them to participate in a field game in the footsteps of natural succession. Work cards full of puzzles and tasks to be completed based on information from educational boards, but also their own knowledge of nature awaited the participants of the game. Monika Bogdanowicz and Anna Sliwinska-Wyrzychowska - the educators who developed the game - prepared many attractions for the participants and made sure that each student found something interesting in the game. Sometimes participants needed to use a mirror to solve the tasks, other times they resorted to a flashlight with UV light. The task of finding an invasive species of cancer among the biological preparations provided was very enthusiastic. The game contained elements of science and fun and was an opportunity to spend time actively in the fresh air.
Educational path "Bierawa - mine restored to nature"
© Cemex
Cemex invites all lovers of nature and outdoor recreation to visit the path. Admission is free of charge, the company only asks for an advance e-mail application to [email protected].
About Cemex Poland
Cemex is a global company engaged in the production of construction materials, including cement, ready-mixed concrete and aggregates. Operating in more than 50 countries, it has become one of the world's leading cement producers. The company focuses on providing high-quality products that meet the highest technical and environmental standards.
In addition, Cemex pursues ambitious goals related to sustainable development by, among other things, aiming to reduce CO₂ emissions at its production facilities or using alternative fuels in cement production. The company attaches great importance to innovative technologies that allow it to create building materials with minimal environmental impact. Cemex is also committed to social responsibility, supporting local residents, education and environmental protection activities.
For more information, visit the company's CEMEX Polska Sp. z o.o. page on the A&B portal.
