Toward a Renewed Dialogue Between Heritage and Nature: Integrated Assessment of Visual Structures in the Książ Protected Landscape, Poland

We present the results of a four-year collaborative project involving researchers and agencies that manage the Pełcznica Valley near Książ Castle in southwestern Poland. The findings show that long-term historical inquiry clarifies the consequences of past land-use practices and the limits of passive conservation, while protecting scenic value can serve as common ground between heritage and nature conservation. We highlight the dynamic, context-dependent nature of visual relationships and underscore the need for flexible management, continuous monitoring, and durable cross-sector cooperation in protected landscapes. Integrating interdisciplinary knowledge, GIS-based analysis, and sustained stakeholder engagement strengthened collective interpretation and supported collaborative landscape learning. The combination of scientific, historical, and local expertise enabled the development of realistic strategies for restoring historic views while accounting for current formal, technical, and ecological constraints.