Bialowieza Forest UNESCO Heritage Site

Post #1 of UNESCO Heritage Sites Week

There are currently almost 30 transnational UNESCO World Heritage Sites transcending the boundary between more than one country. The Bialowieza (Białowieża) Forest is one example, situated along the western border of BELARUS and east-northeastern border of POLAND. Established as a heritage site in 1979, the Białowieża Forest is essentially one of Europe's only circa-8,000 BC forests remaining. Coniferous evergreens and deciduous trees commingle to provide habitat, shelter, and shade for various species including rare mammals and a bunch of birds. A lot more than the current population of about 300 European Bison used to live in this forest, but there was a period of time when there were no bison in the forest. Fortunately, the European Bison was reintroduced to Białowieża Forest shortly before 1930 and is now experiencing a general population increase. The bison is just one species saved by the Eastern European forest environment, and just one reason why this forest is featured as a World Heritage Site.