Bălăbănești is a commune in Criuleni District, Moldova. It is composed of three villages: Bălăbănești, Mălăiești and Mălăieștii Noi. The municipality has allocated several hectares of land, that used to serve as pastures, so that trees could be planted alongside the Baltata river and thus protect its banks, protect the river from drying out, and help retain water in the landscape in general.
Several dozen volunteers plant trees here every season. Thousands of oak, ash and willow saplings were also protected with a barbed fence and will be cared for by local residents and activists of the project "Planting good deeds in Moldova". In early 2023, this was the fourth planting in this locality and the seventh in the protection area of the Bălțata river, a tributary of the Dniester (see a short video here). The activity is being organized by the local NGO Parcurile Viitorului (Future Parks) led by Petru Vinari and supported by various entities. See more information and photos from activities supported by Arnika here, here, here or here.
