Spring Cleanup in the Lower Dniester National Park: Nature and Volunteer Harmony
The Lower Dniester National Park, located in southern Odesa, celebrated Easter in a special way. After days of rain, the sun greeted visitors, birds were singing, and the first flowers, having endured the frost, reached for the light. On this day, a spring cleanup took place — part of a nationwide initiative organized by the charity "UAnimals". A journalist from 048.ua attended the event.
"UAnimals" provided volunteers with transportation, equipment, and delicious treats. Participants included residents of the village of Nadlymanske, students from the local lyceum, park employees, and 12 volunteers from Odesa. Despite the snowy weather the day before, those who arrived believed in their goal.
"When you intend to do good — even nature becomes an ally," noted one of the volunteers.
Before the cleanup started, participants received a brief yet crucial briefing. A DSNS employee explained the dangerous items to watch for in natural areas and how to act upon discovering suspicious objects. This allowed volunteers to set out on their route informed and cautious.
The route followed the shores of the Karagol Bay, where plans are underway to create an eco-trail. Volunteers walked slowly, collecting glass, plastic, tires, and other traces of human negligence. In just 3-4 hours, they managed to gather over a ton of trash.
Among the participants was eight-year-old Sviatoslav, who collected two bags of trash by himself. He shared his thoughts: "Today I want to help nature and see some living creatures. I found a lot of trash and saw many birds — swallows and a pheasant. I would tell people who litter to be kinder to nature, and if they forget, to come back and throw it in the bin."
His mother, Karina, mentioned that their family recently moved to Odesa from Kharkiv. Before settling here, they also volunteered in Lviv: "My son has been helping since he was five. I searched for volunteer opportunities myself — I wanted to engage in something useful. It's important for children to see and feel that they can make a difference."
After a long day of work, volunteers were treated to a small feast — fragrant Dniester tea "from Uncle Vasya", brewed from reeds using a special recipe, cookies, and warm conversations against the backdrop of stunning spring views. Park employees, along with Sergey Kurochkin, a candidate of biological sciences and ornithologist, conducted a mini-excursion to the water for all who were interested, discussing local flora and fauna.
The event in the Lower Dniester Park became part of a larger initiative: on April 12, 247 volunteers participated in cleanups across five national parks in Ukraine. In total, 16 tons of trash were collected. These tons are not just numbers; they represent saved homes for wild animals and a chance to restore natural habitats. This day by the bay serves as a reminder: caring for nature is not just about large projects. It is about the concrete actions of each of us. Even an eight-year-old can set an example for adults.