Two excursions and one new education trail in preparation – all in protected areas - provide an opportunity for families, journalists or the general public from Transnistria and the right-hand bank of the river to meet and learn about the natural values of their country.
We started with an excursion for Transnistrian families to the Orheiul Vechi Cultural Nature Reserve (right-hand bank). A workshop entitled “A human family helps a bird family” was related to International Family Day that is celebrated on the 15th of May. We intended to create a warm, family-friendly atmosphere, strengthen the bonds amongst family members and specifically among families from both banks of the Dniester through creativity and teamwork, foster a sense of responsibility toward nature, and cultivate love for living beings, especially birds. Each family built a bird box; all of the finished bird boxes will be installed within the Old Orhei Cultural Nature Reserve. After the workshop the participants set off for an excursion into the reserve, including the local museum.
Three weeks later, on the 7th - 8th of June, we started preparing a new education trail going through tree and shrub vegetation typical for the middle course of the Dniester River in the Iagorlic Nature Reserve (Transnistria). With the help of 13 volunteers from the Greenhouse environmental movement (Dnestrovsk, Tiraspol), the staff of the reserve carried out a preliminary marking out of the trail, taking into account the terrain, vegetation and visitor flow. During two working days, they subsequently cleared the 400m long passage of a winding route from shrubs and fallen branches and marked out sections for installing information panels, signs, and areas for the future planting of rare and protected plant species. Potential spots for the installation of rest benches were also cleared. The purpose of this future trail is to facilitate controlled tourism without harming ecosystems, promote environmental education within the general public, enhance the image of the reserve as an open educational space as well as to strengthen cooperation with youth initiatives and volunteers. The trail will improve visitor comfort, including for people with limited mobility, and will also localise anthropogenic pressure within a designated area.
But, back to the right-hand bank – on the 20th of June we organised another excursion, this time to the Lower Dniester National Park, which brought together journalists from Moldova and abroad. We wanted to promote the natural and cultural values of the park and raise awareness about the importance of wetland conservation. The excursion started from the Riscova EcoVillage and was followed by a journey to the Ramsar-designated Lower Dniester Wetland. During the trip, environmental expert Gabriel Mărgineanu from Biotica described the park's ecological significance, key species of flora and fauna and current environmental threats. Participants then took part in a guided walking tour through key natural areas such as Purcari, Răscăieți, and Viișoara. The group observed various wetland habitats and learned about the role of the ecosystem in water filtration and carbon storage. After a traditional lunch at the “Meșter Faur” Agri-Pension in Cioburciu, the group visited a restored traditional house, where they discussed heritage conservation and its role in sustainable tourism. In the afternoon, the group engaged in environmental-friendly activities, including kayaking, site clean-up, and a village walk, with local guides explaining the community's role in wetland protection. The second part of the wetland exploration included stops at Talmaza, Grădinița, and the Turkish Garden Reserve. The event successfully combined nature education, heritage appreciation, and community engagement, contributing to the visibility and promotion of the Lower Dniester National Park as a model for sustainable tourism and environmental conservation.
These activities are an example of actions we support on both banks of the Dniester River as a part of the project "Natura 2000 in Moldova: Promoting the European Approach to Nature Conservation in Moldova" together with our local partner Biotica. The project is financed by the Transition Promotion Programme of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You can find a lot more information on our activities in Moldova in other articles here.
