Russian Forest Days
Caring for groves and forests, parks and gardens is a manifestation of concern for nature and the environment
Trees and shrubs are an important element of the planet's ecosystem, providing shelter and food for many species of birds and animals Forests saturate the air with oxygen, just like the lungs in the human body A catastrophic decrease in the area of green spaces occurs due to uncontrolled cutting down of trees, fires, and the construction of roads through the territory of natural parks The Russian Forest Days, which take place from September 15 to 17, are designed to show concern for the environment
At this time, massive tree plantings and other measures to protect nature are carried out Forests occupy 8 million m² of the country's territory and are the national wealth of Russia Their area is constantly shrinking due to natural disasters, droughts and fires, illegal logging and human neglect of the plant world Mass forest planting is the largest environmental action held in September, in which, traditionally, school-age children are primarily involved
The idea of conveying to the younger generation the importance of preserving public gardens and parks belongs to Professor Mitrofan Kuzmich Tursky, who taught at the Petrine Academy He is the author of the circular “On the planting of trees by public school students on land owned by schools,” published in 1894 The scientist wholeheartedly cared for the forestry industry of the Russian state, insisted on the prospects of selective logging and the development of forestry
After the revolution of 1917, the first mass planting of seedlings by schoolchildren, the purpose of which was “instilling in the younger generation a love of nature and tree planting,” took place in Kharkov Over time, the baton of landscaping their hometowns and villages was picked up by children in different parts of the country Poplars were planted along highways and in residential areas of cities, regardless of the size and density of settlement These trees did not require any special maintenance conditions, tolerated heat and cold well, and were unpretentious to the composition of the soil and the degree of air pollution from exhaust gases and emissions from industrial enterprises
In 1928, in the Buzuluk forestry, located in the Astrakhan semi-desert, pine trees and other tree species that met the steppe growing conditions were planted The “Stalinist Plan for the Transformation of Nature,” which was issued in the form of a resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR in October 1948, included the creation of forest belts and plantings throughout the country to protect crops on the fields of collective and state farms It became common practice for Soviet children to plant trees in school alleys, parks and gardens
Russian Forest Days continue the traditions established during the reign of Nicholas II and not consigned to oblivion as the “legacy of tsarism” after the October Revolution Lebanese writer, artist and philosopher Kahlil Gibran said: “Trees are the poems that the Earth writes in the skies” Anyone who takes part in the all-Russian forest planting campaign, held annually on September 15-17, can add a poetic stanza of their own composition