Česká verze

Friends of the Earth and the town Jablunkov started planting trees and bushes in a wildlife corridor

Created on: 4.11.2013

On Saturday 26th October, the first five hundred of apple trees, beeches, oaks, maples and other trees or bushes were planted on a large meadow between towns Jablunkov and Mosty by the local inhabitants and volunteers together with Hnutí DUHA, Friends of the Earth Czech Republic (FoE CZ). It is the only unbuilt belt of the countryside between Moravskoslezské (Moravian-Silesian) and Slezské (Silesian) Beskydy Mountains. The wildlife corridor is very important for large mammals' movement between these two mountain ranges. Moreover, it connects Czech, Slovak and Polish Carpathians. The organizers estimate that about 80-100 people participated in the planting.

A huge land without greenery near Jablunkov could discourage animals of passing it. That's why Friends of Earth Czech Republic started a project which plans the planting of groves and tree alleys. Then the "stepping stones" of forest patches can show animals the safe way through the built-up valley and provide them new shelters. Thus animals can get over the frequent international road without any risk because it is built as a high flyover across the whole valley.

The first tree - the local sort of apple tree - was ceremonially planted by Petr Sagitarius, the mayor of Jablunkov, who was followed by vise-mayor and senator Petr Gawlas. "Their own trees" were also planted by the newlyweds Barbora and Jan Szalovi from the village Mosty u Jablunkova, who originally started their new life together. All of that was emphasized by the local folklore music group Goroli, playing right on the spot.

mayor of the town Jablunkov

The project was supported by Partnership foundation from Programme of Swiss-Czech cooperation, the international association EOCA and the individual donors of FoE CZ. You can also support the next tree plantation in Jablunkov here.

The event was commented by several main organizers:

Miroslav Kutal, Friends of Earth Czech Republic

FoE support the return of carnivores and also make efforts to have healthy and varied landscape full of greenery. With the planting of groves in such a significant place we both make the way easier to the rare carnivores and also increase the ecological and esthetic value of this submontane landscape.

Petr Sagitarius, the mayor of the town Jablunkov:

Although the town had originally different plans with this area, we support the current project. As it's written in a wonderful novella ‘The Man Who Planted Trees', by planting a man cultivates not only the landscape but also oneself.

Dana Bartošová, CHKO Beskydy administration:

The greenery planting in the last function migration corridor between the Slovak mountains and Beskydy Mountains is a very necessary and important step. Unbuilt areas with trees and bushes around the towns and villages have a big impact not only for wild animals, but also for people. The opportunity and need to wander through beautiful countryside without any restrictions exist from the old ages and should be kept.

Jan Klečka, the author of planting project:

It is the first of several planned plantings in the wildlife corridor across the valley. The planted areas are not large, nevertheless they change a hundred years old tradition of agricultural use of the land. It wouldn't be possible without the understanding of the estates owners and farmers.

Kamil Turek, the chairman of hunters' community Gírová:

Our hunting community has been administrating in the countryside several decades and during that time we noticed a lot of hard strikes into the nature. After the ploughing up all the small forest patches, the number of hares decreased ten times in our hunting district and partridges were completely exterminated. Uncontrollable construction during the next years significantly limited the moving of wild animals. That was strengthened by the bypass where cars hit about 30 - 40 pieces of deer every year. Therefore we are glad that the town Jablunkov accepted the project by FoE CZ about the tree planting in the wildlife corridor which, as we strongly believe, will improve the situation.

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