Wicket Resources

Kwidzyn is located in the east south part of the Pomorskie Province on the border of Iławskie Lakeland and Vistula River Valley. The Liwa River, which flows through the city, charms with its natural beauty, old stricken down trees and steep slopes. With its meanders and changeable current, it is a perfect spot for canoeists and fans of hiking. Liwa has its origin in a Landscape Park founded in the Iławskie Lakeland with swamps and lakes surrounded by old forests. The river flows through two water reservoirs: Lake Czerwica, established to protect a colony of cormorants, and Lake Gauda, where breeding sites of water and mud birds are protected. A number of rare birds such

as hawks, honey buzzards, and ospreys, live in the Park that is covered by an international protection program. Liwa also runs through Prabuty in the direction of Litwieniec Lake. At this section, the river looks like an impressive tunnel covered by four-meters high reed.
 The charming natural landscape around Kwidzyn moderates the industrial character of the city. Kwidzyn has a population of 39.8 thousand and is a focal point for manufacturing of paper, cellulose, TV-sets, electronics, wooden, metal and plastic packaging, and construction materials. Moreover, fruit and vegetable processing industry is well developed in the city. In order to protect the unique fauna and flora, local authorities have been implementing the Agenda 21 - Sustainable Development Strategy for Kwidzyn. Since 1998, the 'Agenda 21' Ecological Education Center has operated in the city. Local authorities intend to construct a beltway that will run through a bridge over the Vistula River. They also aim to limit traffic in the city center and build cycling paths.

However, it is difficult to find sources of financing for ecological investments, such as the modernization of communal and transportation infrastructure. Therefore, local authorities in Kwidzyn are trying to obtain funds from non-governmental organizations. They have assumed a positivistic approach of the work on the basis, which consists in activities aimed to change attitudes and enhance ecological awareness of local inhabitants. This stems from the fact that low level of education and culture is conducive to taking consumptive and anti-ecological approaches. Moreover, special importance is attached to solve issues related to waste management. Seven years ago, the first steps aimed to select waste were taken in Kwidzyn. Today, there are 231 special receptacles for recycling paper, glass and plastic waste. The collection of pre-selected waste is consistently conducted in housing estates. Local inhabitants are made aware of the necessity to limit the production of waste.
 Moreover, wicket workshops are organized in Kwidzyn. During workshops, you can learn how to cultivate basket wicket, weave baskets and what to do with old wicket baskets and used non-ecological packaging. Kwidzyn has

expertise necessary to organize such workshops, as the only in Europe Wicket and Reed School is situated there. In order to promote limiting the amount of waste, a brochure entitled How to Become an Ecological Consumer has been published. Among others, the brochure includes a chapter entitled 'Look for shops where, apart from plastic packaging, you will obtain paper and linen bags, beverages in recyclable glass packaging and where you can buy wholesome food.'