The person responsible for the conservation of nature in the Ministry of Environment is the Under-Secretary of State, Chief Nature Conservator. In voivodeships, the pertinent authority is represented by the Provincial Governor (Voivode), who represents the government and the state administration in the province (voivodship) and the Provincial Nature Conservator.

Moreover, there are advisory institutions: the State Council for Nature Conservation - consisting of outstanding scientists and specialist in the matter - and the provincial boards for nature conservation.

There is three-level territorial division in Poland. At the lowest level - gimna (commune) - the decisions concerning nature conservation and environmental protection are made by the departments of environmental protection of the city councils and the commune offices. Similar departments exist in powiats (municipality level).

Apart from the above mentioned state administration institutions, there are numerous non-governmental, self-founding institutions – associations, foundations, non-profit organizations – which are concerned with conservation and environmental protection.

These non-governmental organizations conduct scientific research, lay out various conservation plans and projects, protect specific places, species or reserves, and carry out educational programmes. Most of these self-founding organizations are very active and often far more effective than the state administration institutions.