We report for 2023: main achievements

Throughout 2023, we restored natural areas, created new protected areas, conducted scientific research and eco-educational activities, opposed projects harmful to nature, and told the world about Ukraine’s environment during the war. What did you achieve this year?

🌲 Creation of new nature conservation areas

In 2023, thanks to our work, new nature conservation areas appeared in Lviv Oblast: the hydrological reserve “Travertine Springs” and the primeval natural monument of local importance “Blyzki”, with a total area of almost 95 hectares.

Creating a nature conservation facility is a long and complex process. After scientific research, preparation of justifications and cartographic materials, there are sometimes years of approvals, legal verification and waiting.

During the year, we prepared petitions, provided consultations and prepared documents for the creation of 15 new nature conservation areas (mostly primeval forest natural monuments) with an area of 1,100 hectares. Help was provided in justifying the expansion of the nature reserve “Gorgany” (30,000 hectares).

🐻 Support of nature conservation areas and restoration of natural ecosystems

To preserve the unique biodiversity of the Narcissus Valley throughout the year, with the support of EOCA and ORTOVOX, we have mowed, grazed and mulched over 40 hectares. Together with the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve, they built the “Buffalo Dwelling” premises, purchased an electric shepherd, a set of tools and brush cutters for the reserve.

In order to restore the hydrological regime in the Narcissus Valley, 3 structural and 7 earthen and beaver dams, 5 lakes for the development of amphibians were built, and a canal was built to provide irrigation to the most recognizable part of the Narcissus Valley. Thanks to these measures, within 3 years we managed to increase the flowering area of the Narcissus Valley by 20% and the groundwater level by 50%.

We became co-founders of the international movement Ethical Conservation Alliance (Great Britain) with the aim of preserving biodiversity and improving cooperation with communities at the global level, which was founded by representatives of 19 countries of the world.

🫂 Support of volunteer movements, ecoactivists, mentoring

Our organization is a member of the public movement “Free Svidovets”, which fights for the preservation of this unique mountain area. This year, we also supported the activities of the eco-family volunteer movement “Chysto.de?!” In general, we organized and participated in volunteer events involving more than 400 volunteers. Mentoring services were provided for 20 participants.

🎓 Support of scientific institutions

Together with the Whitley Fund for Nature, we supported the preservation of scientific publications and old prints of the library of the State Natural History Museum of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Power outages, humidity, missile danger – the war showed how vulnerable unique library collections are. A priceless national heritage can disappear within seconds or minutes in times of war. We purchased and handed over to the museum a scanner, a laptop and other necessary equipment for creating electronic versions of old prints.

🌿 Protection of natural ecosystems from harmful economic activity

We managed to stop or slow down 11 mining projects in forests, protected areas, illegal and inappropriate logging on an area of more than 3,000 hectares. We discovered 5 facts of illegal felling and violation of the use of natural territories. According to our statements, administrative and criminal proceedings are ongoing. Areas of destroyed primeval forests were discovered.

📣 Communication and eco-education

Eco-education and eco-education, which will contribute to a deeper understanding of environmental issues, remain an important point of our work. During the year, we prepared 75 posts and about 10 videos, where we talked about wildlife conservation, principles of sustainable development, benefits from nature-oriented solutions and ecosystem services. The results of our research, interviews and comments of our experts have been used in dozens of publications in regional, national and international media such as SkyNews and Nature.

Our experts gave 5 lectures for Ukrainian eco-activists and 3 lectures on the impact of war on the environment for foreign audiences.

🕵️‍♂️ Scientific work

Our scientists studied the dynamics of rare species in the Narcissus Valley, we conducted

monitoring the invasion of species in the Transcarpathian plain and in the Ukrainian Carpathians, and we also continue work on identifying areas that are particularly valuable for conservation and need protection.

✍️ Legislation

Together with other NGOs, we managed to prevent the adoption of several draft laws that would have allowed the cancellation of nature reserves in suburban areas, the development of lake and river banks, and increased corruption risks in the use of natural resources. Numerous proposals were submitted regarding legislative amendments and proposals.

Our experts also took part in the work of the Public Environmental Council of Lviv, the Basin Council of the Dniester River and the Scientific and Technical Council of the Roztochchia Nature Reserve, took part in numerous

💥 Impact and consequences of war

We monitored the effects of the war on wildlife and provided assistance for the restoration of the territories affected by the war in the Makariv OTG with an area of more than 50 hectares, which were returned to public and economic use.

In more than 10 interviews for Western media, we talked about the devastating consequences of Russian aggression for wildlife not only in Ukraine, but also in Europe in general. We also held lectures for Western audiences on this topic.

We co-founded the international organization BraveEarth (USA), which was created with the aim of preserving the environment at the global level in countries with wars and an increased level of conflicts in countries such as the Philippines, Ukraine, Afghanistan and others.

🇺🇦 Assistance of the Armed Forces

In order for there to be more achievements, we must help the Armed Forces. The Danube-Carpathian Program transferred more than UAH 250,000 to support the military and civilians who suffered as a result of Russian aggression.

In addition, at the expense of the collected funds, together with our colleagues from the NGO “Bili Horvati”, we managed to buy drones, cars, thermal imagers, turnstiles, night vision devices, which were handed over to the Armed Forces.