There are 89 nature reserves, of total area of 22.931 hectares, on the territory of Podlaskie Voivodeship. Forest reserves, which constitute straight majority (57), are located mainly in large forest complexes: Białowieża Primeval Forest – 24, Knyszyn Primeval Forest – 21, Augustów Primeval Forest – 7, Kurpie Primeval Forest – 5. Apart from forest reserves, there are: 9 fauna sanctuaries, 3 landscape reserves, 10 peat-bog reserves, 5 flora sanctuaries, 2 water reserves, 2 reserves of unanimated nature and 1 steppe reserve.

Especially worthy noticing are such reserves as:

‘Nietupa’ and ‘Bobruczek’, ‘Ostoja bobrów Marycha’, which are aimed at protection of beavers sanctuaries,
‘Hańcza Lake’, established in order to protect the deepest lake in whole Poland,
‘Głazowisko Bachanowo at the Black Hańcza river’ – protection of unanimated nature,
‘Kulikówka’ – flora sanctuary (protection of the ostrich fern),
‘Antoniuk’ and ‘Las Zwierzyniecki’ – located in Białystok city administrative limits.

‘Natural Forests of Białowieża Primeval Forest’, established by The Ministry of Environment order on 9 July 2003, is the youngest nature reserve in Podlaskie Voivodeship. The main purpose was to preserve natural forests according to their educational, scientific and scenery values, wetlands typical for Białowieża Primeval Forest, as well as woody habitats dominated with old tree stands, and also numerous rare and protected species.