Location
Peatbogs, called "puscizny" (empty lands), lie in Kotlina Orawsko-Nowotarska (Orawa-Nowy Targ Valley). They stretch over the area of 7363 ha, from Chyzne through Czarny Dunajec to Nowy Targ. The valley is surrounded from the east by Pogorze Spisko-Gubalowskie and Babia Gora massif, and from  the north by vast range of Gorce mountains. European divide of the Black Sea (Orawa) and the Baltic Sea (Dunajec) runs across the Orawa-Nowy Targ Valley. Orawa drains western part of the region and Dunajec drains the eastern one.

Special Value
Unique complex of active raised bogs, one of the biggest in Poland, has developed in the area. The biggest are Puscizna Wielka (about 620 ha), Puscizna Rekowianska and the oldest peatbog - Baligowka. All of them are located near the town of Czarny Dunajec. A large part has been devastated in result of exploitation connected with peat excavation. Puscizna Wysoka and Puscizna Lysa, situated near Chyzne, have survived in considerably good condition.

"Bor na Czerwonem" peatbog, which lie southward from Nowy Targ, has been taken under protection. This is a complex of 18 peatbogs, 16 of which are active raised bogs. These are the biggest and the most precious areas of active raised bogs not only in southern Poland but also in Central Europe. Peatbogs are specific water reservoirs - according to scientists volume of water stored in these peatbogs may be assessed at about 50 mln m³.

Geology and Land Formation
Peatbogs in Orawa-Nowy Targ Valley were coming into existence about 9000 years ago, after withdrawal of the glaciers. On ground made from the Paleogene flysch sediments (schists, slitstones, limestones), on waterproof loamy ground with lack of ground waters outflow layers of peat began to accumulate. Plants which grow on the peatbog die in oxygen-free conditions and do not entirely decompose but accumulate slowly creating increasing peat beds with its flesh many meters thick (some beds reach 10 meters thickness). The place is dominated by active raised (oligotrophic) peatbogs, supplied mainly by rainfall waters.

Ecosystem
Peatbogs are ecosystems with many rare communities of flora and fauna. Areas of peatbogs are surrounded by deciduous forests, pine-spruce marsh woods, including protected dwarf mountain pine and mugo pine. Active raised bogs are inhabited by boreal species rare in Poland. Among rare and protected species of vascular plants there are: harestail cotton-grass, insectivorous great sundew and common sundew, cranberry, northern billberry, cowberry, bog rosemary, heather, crowberry, cloudberry and many "cluster-type" species of peat mosses. There also grows a beautiful orchid - lady's slipper orchid.

There are also a few species of rare butterflies living in the peatbogs: large copper, cranberry blue and moorland clouded yellow. One of three refuges of ornate damselfly in Poland is located here.

Rare subspecies of fish dwell in the watercourses of the region. These are: Siberian roach, Danube gudgeon and vimba. We should also mention reptiles: common viper, viviparous lizard, san lizard, as well as amphibians: yellow-bellied toad, green frog, common toad, green toad, great crested newt, Alpine newt, Montadon's newt.

The world of mammals is represented by hares, otters and ermines. The species of priority importance occurring in this area is the wolf. The place is also rich in bird species, such as: common snipe, northern lapwing, black grouse, woodpecker, western capercaillie, marsh harrier, hen harrier, Montagu's harrier, corn crake, lesser spotted eagle and white and black storks. Torfowiska Orawsko-Nowotarskie are one of the biggest black grouse's tooting sites in Poland.

Threats
Over the decades the peatbogs had been systematically exploited by the locals as a reservoir of fuel and garden material. Although recently this activities have been much limited the peat is still illegally excavated. At the same time different threats have appeared: rash drainages of meadows, lowering of ground waters level as a result of gravel exploitation, private waste disposal.

Nature Protection
The only reserve in Torfowiska Orawsko-Nowotarskie is in Nowy Targ forest inspectorate. "Bor na Czerwonem" strict reserve covers almost 50 ha. It was established in 1925 and thanks to Prof. Szafer's efforts expanded in 1956. Protection of peatbog areas must be accompanied with educational actions - promoting passion for survived natural heritage, for knowledge, culture and tradition connected with natural heritage of Orawa and Podhale.