Cultivating communities in Poland: "In the Landscape Foundation"

by Mariusz Antolak & Fanny Téoule – 24.01.25

Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Sząbruk, within Poland’s Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, the W Krajobrazie (In the Landscape) Foundation stands as a beacon of ecological awareness and community empowerment. Since its inception, this non-governmental organisation has championed sustainable development and environmental stewardship across local and international landscapes.

Cover image source: “In the Landscape” Foundation

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Mariusz Antolak is a landscape architect, gardener, academic teacher and educator specializing in gardening education and promoting living in harmony with nature. He has been an assistant professor at the Department of Landscape Architecture (University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland) since 2007. His research and teaching areas include landscape architecture, foodscaping, urban and rural planning, biodiversity protection, dendrology, horticulture therapy, outdoor education (school gardens, educational paths, low-budget design), and analysis and valuation of a landscape. He has authored many articles and projects on planning and protecting landscape and outdoor education. He is the founder and main contractor of “In the Landscape” Foundation’s international projects. He conducts workshops and builds edible gardens with people at risk of social exclusion in Europe (e.g. Norway, Lithuania, Poland) and Africa (e.g. Kenya, Cape Verde).

Fanny Téoule is a creative urbanist and joint PhD candidate at Jagiellonian University (Poland) and the University of Mons (Belgium), exploring how community-driven projects can transform urban landscapes and drive socio-ecological transitions. She is the host of the “What’s That Green?” podcast, where she highlights inspiring stories of urban rewilding and innovative green initiatives. As a catalyst and active member of the “What’s That Green?” network, Fanny is dedicated to turning ambitious ideas into nature-filled realities. She is also a member of the “In the Landscape” Foundation, reflecting her commitment to advancing sustainable and community-focused urban projects.

Foundation’s mission and values

The “In the Landscape” Foundation promotes sustainable development while opposing excessive consumerism and uncontrolled globalisation. Principles of openness, tolerance, equality, and respect for cultural and environmental diversity drive its activities. This apolitical, non-religious organisation operates independently and relies on scientifically backed information to guide its initiatives.

The foundation operates across three main pillars:

    • Education: They conduct various workshops, training sessions, consultations, and lectures on landscape architecture, gardening, horticulture, and nature conservation. These educational efforts cater to diverse social and age groups, fostering a deeper understanding of living in harmony with nature.

    • Gardens: The “In the Landscape” Foundation is renowned for designing and implementing various gardens harmonising with nature. From ecological and permaculture gardens to school and urban green spaces, their designs integrate local history and modern sustainability practices. 

    • Science: The foundation actively engages in scientific research on cultural landscapes, landscape architecture, spatial sociology, and nature conservation. Their publications contribute valuable insights into landscape transformation, sustainability practices, and the ecological impact of various developments.
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Source: “In the Landscape” Foundation

Planting the seeds of change

The Edible Landscape project stands as a hallmark of their efforts. Spanning across the communes of Gietrzwałd, Stawiguda, and Purda near Olsztyn in Poland, this ambitious endeavour aimed to green the urban spaces and foster a deeper connection between people and nature. Imagine small community gardens blossoming with thousands of edible plants—trees heavy with cherries, bushes laden with currants and raspberries, and beds brimming with rhubarb and sage. These gardens didn’t just appear; they were cultivated together with residents. They became meeting points for community integration, where neighbours bonded over shared passions, and children learned the value of sustainable living. 

What sets the “In the Landscape” Foundation apart is its approach. These gardens weren’t mere patches of greenery; they became living classrooms, nurturing the next generation of gardeners and environmentalists. Schools in Stawiguda saw students getting their hands dirty, learning to cultivate seedlings that were later auctioned for charity—a beautiful blend of education and altruism.

However, the impact of the Edible Landscape project extended far beyond local borders. Collaborating with partners from Norway and Iceland, the foundation embarked on a journey of discovery. They explored Nordic community gardens, exchanged knowledge of ecological gardening techniques, and even planted edible plants under the Arctic Circle. This international exchange wasn’t just about sharing practices but celebrating the universal language of gardening—a language that knows no boundaries.

As the sun sets on another season of growth, the legacy of the Edible Landscape project endures. It’s not just about the fruits harvested or the gardens tended; it’s about sowing seeds of change in people’s hearts and minds. The “In the Landscape” Foundation continues to inspire with its commitment to sustainable development, dedication to environmental education, and belief that gardening can cultivate a better world—one garden at a time.

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Source: “In the Landscape” Foundation

The “Edible Landscape” project won just won the Intercultural Achievement Award (IAA), a key Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs project. The award in the category “Sustainability” honours successful and innovative civil society projects in intercultural and interreligious dialogue on a global scale. The project was awarded for its creative and sustainable approach, using the interaction with Nature to bridge cultural differences.

Basic skills rediscovery

Producing and foraging food is one of the basic skills we have lost over the years, and we should rediscover it. It isn’t easy to find a place unsuitable for food production. The entire planet is an edible landscape, and edible plants grow everywhere. So why is there still hunger in the world? The most crucial thing in this educational project was not the gardens themselves but the creation process. 

The problem was shown globally, presenting our planet’s network of food connections. This project was implemented in partnership with over 100 organisations, including children, students, seniors, and people at risk of social exclusion from Poland, Iceland, Norway, Scotland, and Lithuania. A series of educational films promoting simple gardening tips was created as part of the project. The project’s innovativeness lies in the proposed solutions’ simplicity, universal nature, and low budget. Look at this short film about the Secondary Succession Observatory. The simpler, the better!

For example, community gardens can be ideal to promote intercultural education. They are neutral spaces and refuges that function as a space for integration and dialogue. Cultural differences are often forgotten by creating oases of plant and human biodiversity. 

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Source: “In the Landscape” Foundation

Future Directions

Looking ahead, the “In the Landscape” Foundation remains committed to expanding its educational outreach, conducting further research into sustainable landscapes, and fostering partnerships that promote global environmental stewardship. Their dedication to preserving the Earth’s beauty and biodiversity is a testament to their enduring impact on local communities and the broader ecological movement.

The Foundation continues to engage in topics related to global education. It continues the Global Garden Project, which is currently underway in Zambia and Kenya. It also begins implementing the project “In the landscape of global challenges,” which is addressed to landscape architecture students. After all, they are responsible for shaping the landscape and should be aware of how to create it sustainably.

Key Takeaways

    • The popularity of community gardens has been growing for decades, primarily in urban settings, yet there’s increasing interest in rural areas as well.

    • The primary purpose of these gardens extends beyond food production; they serve as educational tools that promote sustainable living practices and encourage personal involvement in food cultivation.

    • Community gardens are more than spaces for growing plants; they are vital for neighborhood integration and cultural exchange, creating opportunities for residents to connect and collaborate.

    • By producing our own food, we reduce reliance on commercial agriculture, which is often linked to environmental degradation. This shift not only supports local ecosystems but also promotes a healthier planet.

Learn More

    • And finally, visit our main website to explore a comprehensive overview of our foundation’s work, including detailed project descriptions, upcoming events, and our latest research initiatives. Discover how we are making a difference in communities across Poland and beyond.

The “Edible Landscape” project was supported by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants”

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