Nature reserves
The active leisure pursuit and tourism are favoured by nature reserves Zwierzyniec, Kanigóra, Grodziska Ryczyńskie and Leśna Woda established
in 1958. They are characterised by the diversity and abundance of
natural forms, whose height of the growth is in spring when the rich
undergrowth is dominated by geophytes such as snowdrop, forest
windflower or lily of the valley to be found in great numbers. They fulfil an important educational role as they are situated by the tourist route (marked in red) running from Oława through Bystrzyca to Jelcz-Laskowice, the educational path leading through the forests and archaeological sites and at a small distance from nearby towns. With a bit luck, a tourist visiting this nook can spot a wild boar, roe deer, squirrel, common buzzard, hawk, song thrush, rust-coloured nightingale and woodpecker.
- THE ZWIERZYNIEC reserve is situated in the Odra basin and protects the natural riparian forest consisting of ash and elm trees with the properties of a low broadleaved forest, which grows on fertile fen soils. The name refers to an ancient fishing and hunting settlement and relates to the times when the wilderness along the Odra river was a game sanctuary. The reserve covers an area of 8.65 ha. Sixteen tree and ten bush species can be found there; among them 120-190 year old common oak trees of impressive dimensions, fine-leaved lime, common hornbeam, lofty ash, field maple and also lone European larch. The eastern part, covered with lime and hornbeam, is dominated by up to 240-year old common oak. There are also isolated lofty spruce, maple and elm, chestnut and up to 140 year old black poplar. The reserve is home for 190 species of vascular plants out of 56 families. Typically mountain plants such as ‘bear’ garlic, mountain speedwell, downy figwort, Fuchs ragwort and spike spurge are the most precious. This is the most northward habitat of this kind, with the centre in the Carpathian mountains. This is also Poland’s unique place where ground beetle, Carabus scheidleri preysleri, can be found in such abundance. It is probably the world’s greatest sanctuary of that insect.
- THE KANIGÓRA reserve is stretching in the northern part of the complex between the Odra river and its right-bank tributary – the Smortawa. It covers an area of 5.12 ha. Its name derives from the wilderness situated 2km north-east of the reserve, where there is a sandy dune hill overgrown with pine, and which is the area’s greatest nesting place of red kite. One can find there beautiful specimens of ancient forest, which are natural features of historic importance. Common oak, up to 260 years of age, 25 m in height and over 4 m. in circumference is the dominant tree. There are also common hornbeam, fine-leaved lime and black alder in the age of up to 200 years. The presence of bats such as common noctule, nathusius pipistrelle and greater mouse-eared bat is the peculiarity of the reserve.
- THE GRODZISKA RYCZYŃSKIE reserve is situated in wet forest, 4.5 km from Bystrzyca and 10 km from Oława. This archaeological and forest site hides two ancient Slavic towns that remain of the legendary castle of Ryczyn: a ring-shaped Ryczyn Wielki covering an area of 1.75 ha and a cone-shaped Ryczyn Mały with an area of 0.08 ha only. The local tree stand, a natural feature of historical importance which remains of riparian forests, is also subject to legal protection. Tourist attention is attracted by 260-year old common oaks. The big castle is covered with Weymouth pine and walnut tree, a north American antropophite. Black stork, a protected rare bird which is extremely timid and avoids people has also been observed there.
- THE LEŚNA WODA reserve was established to conserve natural mixed forest. Since 1998 it has been part of the Stobrawski Landscape Park. It is situated in a forest complex,1 km north of Leśna Woda and 12 km north-east of Oława, along the borderline between the voivodships of Opole and Lower Silesia. It covers an area of 20.94 ha, of which 15.70 ha belong to the Forest District of Brzeg, the other part belongs to the Forest District of Oława. The reserve includes a multi-layer ancient tree stand. The upper layer is represented by beech, pine and European larch. The first larches of the Sudeten variety were brought to this place from the Złote and Bialskie mountains 200 years ago. Common and durmast oaks can be found in great numbers. The lower layer is covered by hornbeam. The most interesting legally protected herbaceous plants include the rare martagon lily, sweet woodruff, common ivy, lily of the valley and alder buckthorn. In the neighbourhood one can admire the 190-year old, fine-leaved lime which is 40 m in height and over 350 cm in circumference, and the 180-year old European larch which is 230 cm in circumference.
- In the Odra forest complex there is also an ecological site called ZIMOWITY or ZIMOWITOWA ŁĄKA. It was established along the forest track from Oława to Ryczyn, where the forest gives way to an open space. Its name comes from the forest meadow, a habitat of various forms of flora and fauna, especially autumn daffodil that grows wild in great numbers. This interesting plant blooms in the autumn, when other plants shed their leaves.
a rare specimen of liriodendron (tulip tree) in Jakubowice.
Pictures
 The Grodziska Ryczyńskie - fot. Z.Jakubowicz |  |  Bird's-eye view - fot. R.M.Sołdek |  Ziemowitowa łąka - fot. Z.Jakubowicz |
 Smortawa |  Near Ryczyn - fot. Z.Jakubowicz |  |  |
 |  Forest Ryczyński |  Near Bystrzyca |  |