History

The Decoration for Merit to Environmental Protection and Water Managment was established by the Council of Ministers in 1985 and was retained by the Republic of Poland following the collapse of the communist regime in 1989. It was administered by the Minister of the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources until 1999 and is currently awarded by the Minister of the Environment to Polish citizens and foreigners in recognition of contributions to environmental protection and water resource management.

There are two versions of the I Class Decoration that differ in design and inscription. The first features an obverse inscription that can be translated to "Merit for Environmental Protection and Water Management.” The second features an obverse inscription that can be translated to “For Merit to Environmental Protection and Water Management,” and a reverse inscription that can be translated to “Ministry of the Environment.”

The Decoration for Merit to Environmental Protection and Water Management is also listed in the Medals & Decorations of the Polish People's Republic (1944-1989).