Unfortunately economic transformation in agriculture has led to the cessation of grazing, which directly contributed to the overgrowth of grasslands with blackthorn bushes, hawthorn, roses, acacia, as well as blackberries and reeds. At present, to maintain the undoubted values of grasslands, active protection is required. Therefore, from the beginning of the Station operation, we have introduced animal grazing. We breed sheep of heather breeds, Polish horses and goats. These animals are not accidentally selected. Heather Sheep and Polish Horse are old native breeds, perfectly adapted to our climatic conditions, not very nutritional and relatively resistant to diseases. Sheeps are also small, agile, well-groomed animals in hilly terrain that are the edges of the river valley. The protection of grasslands in the form of almost daily (from spring to autumn) of grazing animals is additionally assisted by actions of removing of bushes.
Xerothermic grassland is one of the habitats protected under the Habitats Directive of the European Union. Many xerothermic species are protected. Grasslands in Owczary are also the private Club's nature reserve.
It is worth mentioning here is that about 2 km away from Owczary, a nature reserve in Pamięcin is situated, which the Club takes care of, organizing bush and pine shrubs removing.
We also invite you to visit our grassland websites:
LIFE project concerning conservation of xerothermic grasslands in Poland
and
Xerothermic grassland Database (in PL)
https://www.kp.org.pl/en/field-station-owczary/xerothermic-grasslands#sigProIdb39e811762