“We are planting a forest in memory of Ukrainian heroes,” said Yurii Bolokhovets, Director General.

“We are completing the spring reforestation campaign. Priority is being given to restoring areas affected by hostilities. Today, in Kyiv region, near Ivankiv, at the Fenevytske forestry unit, memorial forests were planted.

The event was held in cooperation with Svitlana Hrynchuk, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, Natalka Cmoc, Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine, Olha Vasylevska-Smahliuk, Member of Parliament, and Anna Krysiuk, founder of the Greening of the Planet initiative.

The Ivankivske forestry management unit is one of those that endured occupation during the spring of 2022. All forestry units in the area were occupied; most forest compartments came under shelling, and part of the forest was burned due to missile and artillery strikes. A large number of forestry workers remained on site, supporting the Defense Forces of Ukraine, participating in demining efforts, and helping to restore infrastructure. For more than two years, work has been ongoing to clear, prepare, and return to full operational capacity.

Previously, this area was a pure pine stand, heavily contaminated with remnants of Russian munitions, it burned by 60% as a result. Today, we have planted a mixed forest of pine and oak. All seedlings have a closed root system and a survival rate of over 95%. Foresters will also enrich the site by planting viburnum.

Resilient mixed forests will help reduce the risk of large-scale wildfires in the future, as such fires often begin in dry coniferous stands.

SFE “Forests of Ukraine” continues to plant memorial forests — in honor of Ukrainian heroes who fought for our freedom and independence. Of the 45 Forests of Memory created since the beginning of our initiative, a quarter were planted this spring. As a result, this year’s spring reforestation campaign set a record for the number of memorial forests planted,” said Yurii Bolokhovets.