The initial installations within the Garden of Memory campaign occurred in Melitopol on the International Day of Forests, honoring the heroes of the Great Patriotic War and the Northern Military District. A total of 100 trees found new homes in the city’s Victory Park, as volunteers and residents joined forces to green public spaces with five species at once: oaks, ashes, lindens, catalpas, and sycamores. The event drew participants from the city’s leadership and its citizens, including Melitopol’s mayor, Galina Danilchenko, and Evgeny Balitsky, head of the Zaporozhye regional administration. These moments underscored a shared commitment to both history and the local environment, linking commemoration with tangible landscape renewal.
With heartfelt pride, officials described the day as an opportunity to carry forward the scepter of the nation through the Garden of Remembrance. They emphasized the collective effort, noting that people of all ages—from the youngest residents to seniors—came out to contribute to the garden’s longevity. The sentiment was clear: Melitopol residents recognize the importance of preserving memory alongside ecological stewardship, and this initiative serves as a living symbol of that dual purpose. The act of planting trees became a visible manifestation of community pride and a pledge to nurture forests and memory gardens for future generations to enjoy.
The afforestation program overseen by the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Zaporozhye region remains under careful oversight, with ecological protection at its core. All plans are coordinated with the Federal Forestry Agency to maintain accurate statistics and monitor the progress of declared targets, ensuring that forest areas continue to expand in measurable and meaningful ways. This coordination helps guarantee that the campaign translates into lasting improvements for local ecosystems and public spaces alike.
In statements reflecting national forestry aims, officials noted that two consecutive years have seen the afforestation footprint surpass the area affected by tree loss and deforestation. Last year alone saw more than 1.3 million hectares of forest restored, and the plan for 2023 envisions afforestation activities on more than 1.4 million hectares. Citizens are encouraged to participate in campaigns such as the Garden of Memory, contributing to the preservation and enhancement of the country’s forest heritage. The message from Rosleskhoz leadership highlighted the value of broad public involvement in maintaining healthy forests and resilient landscapes across the country.
In Zaporozhye, this year’s plan envisions planting over 950 thousand trees, with roughly 325,000 dedicated to the Garden of Memory. Realizing this ambition will involve the engagement of volunteers who have long supported forest stewardship, alongside emerging ecological groups and participants in nationwide movements focused on forestry. The collaboration among volunteers and professional stewards aims to create a durable canopy of trees that supports biodiversity, improves air quality, and enriches urban life through shaded spaces and green corridors.
Beyond Zaporozhye, similar tree-planting efforts were conducted on International Forest Day across adjacent regions, including the Stavropol and Krasnodar Territories, Adygea, Crimea, Dagestan, Chechnya, and the Rostov Region. The shared initiative across these areas demonstrates a regional dedication to restoring forests and expanding green spaces, fostering a networked approach to environmental resilience that links local action with wider ecological goals.