The Piaśnica Forest – a Place of Life & Death
On Thursday, February 26, 2026, two lectures were held at the Piaśnica Museum in Wejherowo, focusing on the past and present of the Piaśnica Forest, which is both a place of remembrance and a functioning forest ecosystem with a specific structure and dynamics. The event was attended by a group of 55 guests, including descendants—relatives of foresters Roman Kuniewski, Adam Lubniewski, and Józef Stach, who were murdered in 1939.
During the first lecture, Jacek Szulc, head of the Wejherowo Forest Administration, explained the legal basis and programs for protection and maintenance measures carried out in the Piaśnicki Forest in accordance with the principles of forest sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and habitat stability of tree stands. The aim of these measures is to maintain the continuity of natural processes and ensure safe conditions for visiting this area of special historical significance. In the second lecture, Andrzej Szambelańczyk, an engineer from the Wejherowo Forest Superintendency, presented the biographies of 13 victims – Polish foresters who were murdered by the Germans in the Piaśnica Forest in the fall of 1939.
During the question and answer session with the speakers, the audience was given a detailed explanation of the work of forestry officials, whose daily task is to reconcile forest management in accordance with applicable legislation with the responsible protection of the site of martyrdom and remembrance. Guests were also able to view the museum exhibitions and, under the supervision of the curator, examine the historical photo album “Album Piaśnicki” by Józef Gniech, which was donated to the museum's collection.
The need to present the topic of forest management and protection of the cemetery in the Piaśnica Forest was formulated during the first meeting of the Social Council of the Piaśnica Museum. In line with public expectations, the foresters' presentations will be published on the websites of the Wejherowo Forest District and the Piaśnica Museum.
