Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture Taras Vysotskyi, representatives of the State Forest Resources Agency, the State Enterprise ‘Forests of Ukraine’, scientists and veterans, soldier-forester Oleksandr Kotseruba and student of the Vyshedubechansky School Forestry Daria Nazarova planted a symbolic billionth tree. This oak tree is a symbol of the resilience and strength of the Ukrainian people. We all hope that it will grow for hundreds of years under a peaceful sky.
The head of the State Forest Resources Agency, Viktor Smal, reminded everyone that the Green Country programme was launched in 2021 with the goal of planting 1 billion trees over three years. However, Russian armed aggression prevented its timely completion. But even a full-scale war could not stop the implementation of this environmental initiative. “Why did we continue even during the war? Because restoring forests is part of restoring the country. A lot of rebuilding still lies ahead, but we are already taking steps towards healing every day: repairing and building housing, clearing mines from fields, and restoring roads. And in the same way, we are reviving forests. ‘Green Country’ is not just about ecology. It is about unity. The idea of planting a billion trees has united thousands of Ukrainians — schoolchildren and veterans, foresters and people far removed from the industry. It is in unity that our strength lies,” said Viktor Smal.
He added that during the implementation of the programme, despite the full-scale war, it was possible to start reforming the forestry industry, digitise a number of processes and gain recognition of our results from the EU: Ukraine has been recognised as a country with low risk for timber exports.
The head of the State Forest Resources Agency thanked the soldiers, without them there would be nothing — no billion trees, no reforms, no restoration. ‘We are not stopping. We will continue to plant forests — for all of us and for future generations of Ukrainians,’ concluded Viktor Smal.
