Initiative: Greening Kropyvnytskyi

Location: Kropyvnytskyi, Kirovohrad Oblast

Year: 2019-2021

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1780460738865110

This civic initiative monitors the felling of trees in the city, which often takes place on a large scale, as well as the unprofessional pruning of trees, which is, in some cases, indistinguishable from vandalism. Nature enthusiasts have also done volunteer work to take better care of the city’s greenery, for example watering trees during the summer drought, when the city administration’s efforts fell short.

With the support of NESEHNUTÍ, the initiative planned its first civic campaign aimed at changing the city's Greenery Care Program. In the future, the care for trees should improve – for instance, only companies with sufficient professional experience should be hired, sufficient replacement plantings should be carried out, a mechanism to protect trees from illegal felling should be instituted and the public should have a better opportunity to voice their opinion on the issue of public green spaces.

The first phase of the campaign focuses on stimulating the public's interest in protecting greenery, raises awareness about the importance of trees in the city for the residents, draws attention to violations of the current city regulations regarding greenery, and runs a telephone counseling center used most often by those who have witnessed damage to the city’s trees.