WWF-Poland

The WWF-Poland Foundation is part of the global WWF network and a foundation registered in Poland.

Since 2000, WWF-Poland has been taking steps to protect the natural environment, especially fauna and flora, landscape, water, soil, air and other natural resources, with particular emphasis on preserving the fundamental ecological processes and maintaining and ensuring sustainable use of genetic species and ecosystem diversity.

The areas of WWF Poland’s activity are forests, rivers, animal species, seas and oceans, and climate and energy. For many years, WWF-Poland has been running a group of 200 volunteers, the Blue Patrol, who actively protect nature on the coast of the Baltic Sea.

WWF-Poland together with the Blue Patrol are part of the Polish national rescue plan of oiled wildlife.

Area of expertise

Volunteer Management

EUROWA Charter signed in 2019

Involvement in European preparedness/EUROWA since 2019

Magda Zadrag

Partner organisation

WWF Poland

Describe your job

My main duties are to coordinate a project on protected areas in Poland, part of the project are marine projected areas (MPAs). One of my tasks is also to help create a system in Poland that will enable us to help oiled wildlife if any oil spill occurs.

How would you explain your job to a five-year-old?

I try to ensure that there is enough space for nature in our ever-changing world, so that it can still consist of many different species of animals, plants, or fungi.

What do you love most about your job?

I love being able to see the results of my job, especially when it is in the field. Going to a place which I protected or at least helped to protect is really rewarding. Also, I like that many people are interested in the topic that I work with, and they are enthusiastic.

What are the trickiest situations you face as part of your job?

There are lots of them, the most important is to get funding for my work and it can be tricky as the donors often don’t really understand what we do. Also, it is hard to convince many authorities sometimes to do something as they have many different priorities on their heads.

What was your dream occupation as a child?

Veterinarian.

If you were a superhero, what would your secret power be, and why?

Recognising birds. Empowering people. Speaking Czech.

How can people get in touch with you?

mzadrag@wwf.pl

https://www.facebook.com/magda.zadrag

Jadwiga Ziomacka

Describe your job

I work in the Marine Team in WWF Poland mostly on the marine protected areas project and oiled wildlife response. My goal is to lead to Polish marine protected areas being well managed and to show local communities that they can benefit from protected areas.

How would you explain your job to a five-year-old?
I try to rescue nature while sitting in front of the computer.

What do you love most about your job?

I love the most the fact that my actions may lead to a real positive change in environmental protection. I spend most of my time sitting in front of the computer, but sometimes we can do very interesting activities and meet amazing people – that’s my favourite part of my job.

What are the trickiest situations you face as part of your job?

Attempts to convince difficult stakeholders to protect nature and that it’s going to benefit them. Sometimes it seems that the Ministry of Environment Protection is the most difficult stakeholder.

What was your dream occupation as a child?

To work in the environmental protection or in the zoo

If you were a superhero, what would your secret power be, and why?

Telekinesis, because I really like the idea of moving things with my mind.

How can people get in touch with you?

jziomacka@wwf.pl