The Green Lagoon Landscape Reserve Project in Granidub and Posolon Ecovillages

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The Green Lagoon Landscape Reserve spans over 100 hectares along the Tnya and Tenka rivers, including a 5-hectare arboretum. While the Brokivska Village Council officially manages the reserve, Anatoliy Ivanovich Nagorny and the residents of three ecovillages —Space of Love, Ecopolis Granidub, and Posolon—undertake most of the work.

Goals and Objectives

• Nature Conservation: Preserve and restore forests, wetlands, and water resources.
• Reclamation: Eliminate unauthorized dumpsites and convert them into parks.
• Eco-Education: Conduct eco-lessons, conferences, round tables, public hearings, and other activities to raise environmental awareness.
• Planting: Plant medicinal, rare, and perennial plants, primarily trees.
• Biodiversity Conservation: Protect local flora and fauna, including species listed in the Red Book.
  

The Green Lagoon project aims to preserve and restore the unique natural ecosystems of Polissya. Nature conservation is a top priority, focusing on forests, wetlands, and water resources. Reclamation efforts include converting unauthorized dumpsites into parks, reducing human impact on the environment. Educational activities, such as eco-lessons and public hearings, aim to raise environmental awareness among residents. Special attention is given to planting medicinal, rare, and perennial plants, especially trees, to preserve the region's biodiversity.

Key Activities

1. Tree Planting: Residents of the three settlements regularly plant and care for trees.
2. Combating Unauthorized Water Withdrawal: Ecopolis Granidub actively addresses issues of illegal water extraction and wetland drainage, working with local and regional authorities.
3. Reclamation and Restoration: Elimination of dumpsites and their conversion into parks, such as Maksymivka Park, created on the site of a former landfill.
4. Scientific Research: Collaboration with scientists from Polissya National University, Zhytomyr State University named after Ivan Franko, and the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences for scientific research and ecosystem monitoring.

The project's key activities include regular tree planting by residents, helping to restore forests and reduce soil erosion. Ecopolis Granidub works to combat unauthorized water withdrawal and wetland drainage by collaborating with local and regional authorities. Reclamation efforts transform dumpsites into parks, like Maksymivka Park. Scientific collaboration with universities and research institutions supports ecosystem monitoring and the implementation of scientifically grounded conservation measures.

Partnerships and Collaboration

The Green Lagoon project exemplifies close cooperation between settlements, scientific institutions, governmental bodies, and NGOs. Key partners include:

• Brokivska Village Council: The local self-government body officially managing the reserve.
• Polissya National University: Conducts scientific research and monitoring.
• Zhytomyr State University named after Ivan Franko: Conducts eco-educational activities.
• Ukrainian Academy of Sciences: Provides scientific recommendations for biodiversity conservation.
• Local Communities: Residents of the three settlements actively participate in all activities aimed at preserving and restoring nature.

The Green Lagoon project brings together various partners to achieve a common goal—preserving and restoring the natural resources of Polissya. The Brokivska Village Council provides administrative support, while Polissya National University and Zhytomyr State University conduct scientific research and eco-educational activities. The Ukrainian Academy of Sciences offers scientific recommendations for biodiversity conservation. Active participation by local communities ensures the project's successful implementation.

Challenges and Solutions

1. Pollution and Unauthorized Logging: Active information campaigns and reclamation of polluted areas.
2. Hydrological Balance Change: Collaboration with scientists and authorities to develop and implement measures to restore the natural water balance.
3. Wetland Conservation: Regular monitoring of wetlands and the implementation of measures for their preservation and restoration.

The project faces challenges such as pollution and unauthorized logging. To address these issues, information campaigns and reclamation of polluted areas are conducted. Changes in the hydrological balance of rivers and wetlands require close cooperation with scientists and authorities to develop effective restoration measures. Regular monitoring and conservation efforts for wetlands help preserve these unique ecosystems.

Conclusion

The Green Lagoon project is a successful example of collaboration among local communities, scientific institutions, and governmental bodies in the field of natural resource conservation and restoration. Joint efforts help preserve the unique ecosystems of Polissya and ensure a sustainable future for the next generations.

The Green Lagoon project demonstrates how joint efforts by communities, scientific institutions, and governmental bodies can effectively address natural resource conservation and restoration. Through the active involvement of local residents, scientists, and authorities, unique ecosystems of Polissya are preserved, ensuring a sustainable future for upcoming generations. This project is a significant step towards achieving environmental sustainability.

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