On July 21-24 this year, biology students from Jagiellonian University affiliated with the Jagiellonian University Student Naturalists' Circle carried out their annual internship at the PAS Agroecological Station in Kosewo Górne. In an area of 620 hectares of meadows, pastures and woodlands, they conducted a number of field activities in support of ongoing research and conservation work. 

Among other things, they helped care for Kamieniec sheep, such as weighing lambs as part of the supervision of sheep flocks, which play an important role in maintaining the biotic diversity of grassland habitats. 

They conducted an inventory of the flora on the moraine hills and pastures, with particular attention to the presence of invasive plants - in accessible areas they assisted in the removal of expansive perennial lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus), and inventoried a plot overgrown with alien tuberous sunflower (Helianthus tuberosus). Both species threaten native vegetation.  

At the same time, they observed the bird species that inhabit this unique area, collecting data that will be helpful for further biodiversity monitoring. 

An additional element was also the observation of the impact of large deer herbivores, including fallow deer (Lady of the lady), on vegetation structure and ecosystem regeneration. Student-naturalists observed traces of foraging and animal presence and their possible effects on species composition and vegetation succession. 

It was an intense, inspiring and eventful work and adventure at the same time! The memory of the beautiful hills in Kosewo and the Masurian lakes will stay with the UJ student naturalists for a long time!