EnviroEducate

Green Defense: How Wetland Restoration Became Poland’s Secret Weapon

Listen

Description

What do swamps have to do with security? In this episode of EnviroEducate, we uncover how Poland’s Ministry of Defence is turning to nature to help defend its borders. Discover the surprising alliance between conservationists and military strategists who are restoring wetlands—not just to protect biodiversity, but to slow tanks, absorb carbon, and build natural defense barriers. With expert insights and real-world impact, this episode shows how the future of defense might just lie in the mud beneath our boots.

Source List

  1. Politico: “Poland’s eastern Maginot Line raises nature worries”
    Describes using Białowieża Forest terrain for defense.
    Link: https://www.politico.eu/article/poland-eastern-maginot-line-bialowieza-forest-war-defense-east-shield-program-nature-preservation/ theworld.orgpolitico.eu+1en.wikipedia.org+1

  2. TVP World: “Polish scientists urge environmental integration in 'Eastern Shield' plan”
    Outlines calls by Polish scientists to incorporate wetlands into the East Shield defense plan.
    Link: https://tvpworld.com/77937677/polish-scientists-urge-environmental-integration-in-eastern-shield-plan tvpworld.com

  3. The World (PRI): “European scientists want to restore the environment for military defense”
    Highlights recommendations by Michał Żmihorski and the Polish Academy of Sciences.
    Link: https://theworld.org/segments/2025/06/20/european-scientists-want-to-restore-the-environment-for-military-defense theworld.org

  4. WaterLANDS (Wetlands blog): “Restoring Wetlands in Poland…”
    Provides data on peatland drains and river health in Poland.
    Link: https://waterlands.eu/news-and-events/blog-restoring-wetlands-in-poland-and-sharing-knowledge-with-the-waterlands-project-by-ilona/ waterlands.eu

  5. Wikipedia: “East Shield”
    Details Poland’s national defense initiative launched in 2024, combining physical and natural defenses.
    Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Shield oecd.org+3en.wikipedia.org+3politico.eu+3

  6. OECD Report: “Responding to Rising Seas”
    Covers principles of nature-based defenses and ecosystem-based solutions like wetlands.
    Link: https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2019/03/responding-to-rising-seas_g1g9f531/9789264312487-en.pdf oecd.org