The Foundation’s „Biodiversity Laurel” Committee Forest Forever
Together with Prof. Bolesław Rok, The Łąka Foundation, The Osoba Odra Foundation, The "A Bee Must Be" Foundation, The Green Ant Foundation, The "Jestem na pTAK!" Association and UNEP/GRID-Warsaw We evaluated the first edition of the award for companies that are actively working to promote biodiversity. MATERIALITY was represented on the selection committee by Justyna Biernacka, Sustainability Managing Partner and Artur Gazda, Senior Due Diligence Manager, R&D Lead.
The criteria evaluated by the Selection Committee were measurable and specific: mitigation hierarchy, no net loss, science-based metrics, and transparent communication free of greenwashing. A law firm oversaw the formal aspects of the process Kałużna Legal with attorney Roksana Kałużna-Bałazy. The discussions were long and lively, and we reviewed each proposal twice. That’s what happens when people who care deeply about nature sit around the same table.
Forest Gala in Białowieża
The finale took place on September 22, 2026, in Białowieża, during the Forest Gala. The day began with a nature walk through the primeval forest with experts from the foundation. In the evening, there were panel discussions on sustainable development practices, circularity, and engaging teams in environmental initiatives, as well as the premiere of the Anti-Greenwashing Guide, which the foundation prepared in collaboration with Kałużna Legal.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Laurels. The selection committee honored 10 organizations:
- Cumulus Outdoor – for its long-standing support of the Wetlands Conservation Center as part of the 1% for the Planet initiative; in 2024–2025, the company donated nearly 1.4 million PLN, which helped protect over 3 hectares of peatlands,
- 4 Starlings Soap Shop – for the “Birds” Calendar, all proceeds from which go to the Eagle Conservation Committee,
- ING Bank – 2.25 million PLN for the protection and restoration of valuable wetlands in cooperation with UNEP/GRID-Warsaw,
- BRAVE Education – for the initiative that led to the creation of nearly 30 hectares of the “Las Na Zawsze” forest,
- Vis Plantis – for the „Pharma Care Forest Garden” on Kryspinów Lake,
- Polpharma – for more than 23 hectares of new forests in 24 locations, planted in part by employees and doctors,
- BioBazar – for protecting the Janowice Forest on the occasion of the company’s 15th anniversary,
- Tikkurila Poland – for comprehensive efforts to promote biodiversity, ranging from pollinator gardens to education,
- Arche Group – for Arche Siedliska and the Ecoboxes made from recycled containers, installed without cutting down any trees,
- Lidl Poland – for his work with WWF Poland, including efforts on behalf of the Baltic Sea and the Rakutowskie Marshes.
The winners received wooden statuettes crafted by Oakywood. Congratulations to all the winners!
And if you want to get a feel for Białowieża, you can watch A vlog from the Forest Gala on the foundation's YouTube channel.
Happy 100th Birthday, Lesie Na Zawsze!
The gala was also an opportunity to celebrate the 7th anniversary of the Las Na Zawsze Foundation. To mark the occasion, the foundation published its first Impact Report. It contains nearly 100 pages of data, research findings, case studies, and partner testimonials. Key figures:
- 204,135 new trees and shrubs,
- 300 hectares in more than 150 “Forests Forever” across 65 counties,
- An average Biodiversity Potential of 0.726 (on a scale from 0 to 1).
The report is available on the foundation's website. Congratulations to the entire team on seven years of dedicated work for nature!
Our Journey Together with Las Na Zawsze
The Impact Report also includes MATERIALITY. We’ve been working with the foundation since 2019. Instead of giving traditional corporate gifts to clients and partners, we plant trees together—trees that may one day grow into a biodiverse forest. Every spring, our entire team plants them by hand in the field.
In 2025–2026, we also provided the foundation with technical support in developing indicators to measure the impact of its activities on biodiversity. We advised on the selection of measurement methods and analyzed how to reliably demonstrate the impact contributed to by the foundation’s partners. The solutions we developed together were designed to meet the quality requirements that the ESRS standards set for indicators.
Good intentions are the first step, but the data shows where that path really leads.
Thank you to the Las Na Zawsze Foundation for inviting us to join the Selection Committee and for your trust. See you at the next Forest Gala and out in the field with a shovel in hand! 🌳
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