Night life of the forest: nature walk in the Arboretum of the Moravian Gate

When dusk falls, the forest begins to follow a completely different rhythm. The silence of the day gives way to the quiet crack of branches, mysterious hooting and barely audible rustling. During the event ‘Night life of the forest’, participants visiting the Arboretum of the Moravian Gate will set off on an unusual evening walk that reveals the world of nature active after dark.

The walk will be led by a representative of the Rudy Raciborskie Forest District, a nature photographer and environmental educator. Through engaging stories and observations, participants will learn about the fascinating habits of animals inhabiting the surrounding forests and discover how to recognise species by their distinctive sounds.

The walk will take the form of a nature sound expedition. Participants will listen carefully to the nocturnal acoustic landscape of the forest: bird calls, the hooting of owls, the sounds of insects and the signals produced by other animals. Together they will try to identify the sounds they hear and discover how much information can be hidden within the seemingly quiet night environment.

The evening atmosphere of the Arboretum, reduced light and a strong focus on listening to nature will allow participants to experience the forest in a completely different way than during daytime walks. It will be an opportunity to slow down, enjoy the silence and observe nature with greater attention.

The event also has an educational dimension. Participants will learn about the important role that nocturnal species play in ecosystems and why protecting natural habitats and reducing light pollution are becoming increasingly important elements of environmental protection.

The walk will take place in a small-group format, therefore advance registration is required. This will ensure that every participant can fully focus on discovering the night-time secrets of the forest.

‘Night life of the forest’ reminds us that nature does not fall asleep after sunset. On the contrary – this is when it reveals one of its most fascinating faces.

The event is implemented as part of the project 'Silesia. Blue Sky Restored.'

Host: Zuzanna Poprawka, eco-manager of the Municipality of Racibórz