The Natura 2000 area - Police - channels

Police - channels is a special habitat protection area, which is a network of underground channels with a length of approx. 4 km. The channels are a remnant of Hydrierwerke Pölitz, a German pre-war synthetic fuel factory. The area covers an area of ​​100.25 hectares and operates within the Natura 2000 network. There are free guided tours organised, during which you can visit the already mentioned fuel factory. The area of Police - channels is the largest underground overwintering areas of bats in West Pomerania. Shelter during the winter is found there by six species of bats such as serotonine bat, one of the biggest bats in Poland; but also noctule, Daubenton's bat, brown long-eared bat, or barbastelle. Annually, 1300 of these mammals arrive there. They overwinter in dark underground corridors, away from human centres. In spring, the local bats feed mostly on the surrounding Łarpia River. Supervising the observation of the rules applicable in that area and taking care of the bats belong to the duties of the Salamandra Association, actively supported by the Association of Friends of the Police Land Skarb, which does not only promote the history of Police and a former factory, but also cares about the ecological and natural character of the area. The trips organised by the Association do not include visits to the channels where bats live and overwinter. Walking on your own through the ruins of the factory and the protected area is not desirable because of the dangerous metal and concrete components protruding from the ground, and to  ensure peace to protected species.