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The aim of the work was to show the expectations of the Polish society towards leisure time as well as tourist and recreational activities in the forest environment. We tried to define the reasons for staying in forest environment, indicate the most valuable qualities of forest area and factors that disturb the presence in forest. We indicated the greatest threats to the forest environment and expectations of the population regarding the facilities for using the forest environment for leisure purposes as well as recreational and tourist activities. The diagnostic survey method was used. The questionnaire included 10 closed questions, half of which were used for the purpose of this work. The attitude was measured with a five−point Likert scale after the use of activities related to the construction and validation. The sample consisted of 1068 adult respondents, who were chosen according to the place of residence (village, town up to 30 thousand and over 30 thousand inhabitants), age (up to 25 years, from 26 to 40 years, from 41 to 55 years as well as older than 56), gender and 6 regions of Poland. We applied the analysis of discriminant function in statistical analysis. The classification function was used in the form of calculating coefficients that were determined for each of the created groups. The main goals of stay in forest are group trips, running and cycling, as well as health values of this environment and observation of fauna and flora combined with the collection of forest undergrowth. The main advantages of this environment are healthy and fresh air, and peace. Factors disturbing stay in the forest include its littering and too many visitors, while the biggest threats are forest fires and its excessive exploitation by visitors. It is expected that the infrastructure supporting relaxation in the forest environment will be developing. Polish forest resources through the richness of natural values and with proper supply of tourist and recreational infrastructure can be the main area of creating tourist and recreational products. The education of visitors is expected to improve the perception of forest resources as a place of rest and regeneration of vital forces., Sylwan 164 (6): 513-520

Forest areas are treated as one of the most important resources for a modern human, which is an integral part of his existence. The aim of this study was to determine a degree of the influence that forest environment has on the psychological and physical development of Polish teenagers as well as to recognize the motives having the greatest impact on the need of school youth to stay in the forest environment. We also tried to define skills and values acquired by young people through the use of forest areas. We used a diagnostic survey method. Authors' questionnaire was applied to survey 3,590 respondents all over Poland. The study was conducted in May and June 2014. Altogether we surveyed 1,206 high school students, 1,186 junior high students and 1,198 pupils from the elementary schools. The discriminant function was applied for statistical analyzes. The main motives for young people to stay in the forest environment were resting, gathering undergrowth, physical recreation as well as education on the economy and protection of forest resources (tab. 1). The co−participants of young people were mostly parents, to a lesser extent, tourist guides, foresters and educators dealing with forestry issues. Young people often organized trips to the forest areas on their own (tab. 2). Teenagers treat the forest as a place of physical and mental regeneration, a place of active resting by practicing such forms of recreational activities as walking, jogging, nordic walking, cycling and, to a lesser extent, horse riding and skiing (tab. 5). They also strongly emphasized the possibility to gather undergrowth in the forest areas. The forest resources are an important place for practicing physical recreation, relaxation and regeneration of psychophysical forces of Polish schoolchildren (tab. 4). The forest environment gives young people the opportunity to relax, restore emotional balance and to enjoy their stay in the bosom of nature. The forest environment influences the acquisition and improvement of many skills related to healthy lifestyle as well as cognitive elements associated with forest management and the function of forest (tab. 3). Despite the significant role of forest services in educational activities, the main responsibility of preparing children and young people to skillful use of forest resources rests on foresters and educators related to the forest environment., Sylwan 160 (7): 609-616

The aim of this study was to identify the motives of visits in the Wigierski National Park (north−eastern Poland), which were focused on health and regeneration of vitality by inhabitants of Suwałki. Knowledge about the influence of forest environment on health was also investigated. The quota sampling was used to determine the sample size and number of respondents was determined proportionally to the level of education and age of people surveyed. We used discriminant analysis to determine which variables stood out in four analysed age groups. Recreational and tourism as well as therapeutic opportunities, to a great extent, are not just noticed by respondents, but also applied by them in their daily life. Respondents appreciated the healing effect of the forest environment on people, on their physical and mental needs. Such attitude was achieved thanks to widely conducted education, which enhanced such aspects as medical properties of forests and their role in health prevention. Respondents declared the need for visiting actively forest areas for leisure and health reasons. Respondents particularly emphasized a possibility of health improvement, even more than a desire to enjoy anthropogenic attractions of the Wigierski National Park. Taking into account tourists' needs that are aimed at leisure and health, as well as appreciating non−productive importance of forests, it is recommended that the State Forests, through supervision and adequate infrastructure, should strive for the most convenient way to make forest environment available for people. It was also applied for protecting forest resources in order to maintain their sustainability for present and future generations. It was stated that the promotion of active leisure in connection with natural forest environment is a new way of life, especially applied by residents of large urban agglomerations. Such promotion is also a key task of public authorities and various organizations related to ecology and health. A special role is attributed to tourism and recreation organizers, but most of all to the State Forests, which are the main administrator of this forest area., Sylwan 160 (1): 64-70