Spring Cleaning Initiative at the Lower Dniester National Park
The Lower Dniester National Park, located in southern Odessa, warmly welcomed visitors ahead of Easter. After days of rain, the sun broke through the clouds, birds sang joyfully, and the early flowers, having endured recent frosts, reached for the light. On this day, a spring cleanup took place in the park, part of a nationwide initiative organized by the charity organization "UAnimals". The journalist from 048.ua was also present at the event.
"UAnimals" provided volunteers with transportation from Odessa, supplies, and refreshments. Participants included residents of the village of Nadlymanske, students from the local lyceum, park staff, and 12 volunteers from Odessa. Despite the snowy weather the day before, those who came were confident in achieving their goal.
"When you intend to do good, even nature becomes your ally," one of the volunteers remarked.
Before the cleanup began, participants received vital instructions from a representative of the State Emergency Service, who explained the dangerous items to watch for in natural areas and how to react upon discovering suspicious objects. Thanks to this, volunteers set off on their route informed and aware of every step.
The route stretched along the shores of the Karagol Bay, where an eco-trail is planned for the future. Over the course of 3-4 hours, volunteers collected more than a ton of rubbish, including glass, plastic, and tires.
People of all ages participated, including eight-year-old Sviatoslav, who independently filled two bags with trash. He shared his impressions: "I want to help nature and see some living creatures. I found a lot of trash and saw many birds, such as swallows and pheasants. I would tell people who litter to be kinder to nature, and if they forgot something, to return and throw it in the trash."
His mother, Karina, shared that their family recently moved from Kharkiv to Odessa and had previously volunteered in Lviv: "My son has been helping since he was five. I looked for volunteer activities myself to be part of something useful. It's important for children to see and feel that they can change something."
After the hard work, the volunteers were treated to fragrant Dniester tea "from Uncle Vasya," brewed using a special recipe, along with cookies and warm conversations against the backdrop of beautiful spring landscapes. Park staff, along with Serhiy Kurochkin, a candidate of biological sciences and ornithologist, conducted a mini-excursion to the water for everyone interested, sharing insights about the local flora and fauna.
This event was part of a larger initiative: on April 12, 247 volunteers participated in cleanups across five national parks in Ukraine, collecting a total of 16 tons of waste. These tons are not just numbers, but saved homes for wild animals and a chance for the restoration of natural areas. This day by the bay serves as a reminder that caring for nature is not just about grand projects; it's about the concrete actions of each of us. Even an eight-year-old child can set an example for adults.
