Within the city boundaries there are twovaluable nature reserves – areas of the protection of rare peatlandvegetation: Mszar (of the area of 4 ha) and Redykajny (ofthe area of 10 ha), which have been taken a special care of sinceas early as the beginning of the 20th century. Both nature reservesare the home of plant species typical of peatland habitats: carexrostrata, carex heleonastes, alder forest, rare moss species. Thetree frog – a well-known representative of protected amphibians,can be seen in the Redykajny nature reserve.

There are 32 swamps in the area of the Municipal Forest – theyconstitute part of the forest’s system of water retention. Theyare often devoid of water in dry periods, but during springthaws these places sound with the croak of frogs, becausethey are the dream habitat for amphibian reproduction.

The area between Gutkowo and the so called Swan Neck– a bay of Ukiel Lake is also fascinating for lovers of interestingplants and birds. This area, partly flooded, is the home of orchids, as well as the nesting of many bird species such as warbler, chaffinch, thrush, great spotted woodpecker, aswell as whitethroats and buntings.

The improving cleanness of the natural environment andobligatory ban on hunting game within the administrativeboundaries of the city have made the Olsztyn woods a placewhere many species of wild animals find protection. It ispossible to see wild boar, roe deer, foxes, raccoon dogs,hares, as well as beavers, and even elk and deer. Amongsmaller animals, worth mentioning are squirrels, martens and weasels. Many animals, mostly wild boar and foxes, aremore and more frequently seen in urban areas, mainly nearbuildings neighbouring with forests. The proximity of people

makes them look for food beyond their natural environment. Now and then, the municipalservices are forced to transport them back to forest complexes more distant from Olsztyn for thesake of the safety of both the inhabitants and animals themselves. This forest is also a shelterfor many legally protected animal species: toads, lizards and around 70 bird species.

The unique climatic features and the favourable influence of the Municipal Forest on humanorganism was appreciated as early as over one hundred years ago by situating a sanatoriumamong its trees. Staying in the local microclimate of the woods was part of the therapy. Patientssuffering from respiratory system diseases are treated in the former sanatorium and the presentpulmonologic hospital in Jagiellońska Street.

The Olsztyn forest is frequently visited by people fond of mushrooms, focused mostly on the popularspecies – bay boleti, edible boleti, chanterelles and honey fungi. Apart from edible fungi it is possibleto find protected species here, such as stikhorns, crested sparassis or shingled hedgehog.

The Municipal Forest is a special type of woods, which is meant for recreation as a whole, excluding the strict nature reserves. Its charming parts, such as the Wadąg River confluence to theŁyna, are a frequent destination of walks or canoe trips down the Łyna. In addition, four tourist walking routes traced and marked by the Polish Tourism and Country Sightseeing Society runthrough the Municipal Forest. Their starting and final points are situated at terminals and busstops of the city transport, and information plates and guideposts make planned treks easier.The Municipal Forest is Olsztyn inhabitants’ favourite place for jogging, and in winter – crosscountryrunning. Convenient bicycle paths and even three toboggan tracks have been tracedin the Municipal Forest. Bowers, benches and wood carparks and educational plates, supplementing the naturepaths, are built in different places of the forest.