The project ‘Network of Lakes in Charivne ecovillage’: rewilding and ecosystem regeneration

[maxzalevski]

As part of Ma Earth's Regenerative Land Project ##GG20 @gitcoin, the first information stand was implemented, telling about the Network of Lakes project and the importance of supporting biodiversity in the community.

The story of the lake restoration in the Charivne ecovillage began in 2015, when one of the streets across the ravine was restored to connect the main part of Chmyrivka village, on the basis of which the settlement was formed. A bulldozer was used to clear and pave the road across the ravine. The water in the ravine has always been stagnant, and locals said that 50 years ago there was a cascade of lakes stretching for 5 km through the village.

Given the pollution of the Tyasmin River, 6 km away, and the lack of other suitable water bodies nearby, the residents decided to try to restore at least one lake. In 2016, they hired a marsh excavator to clean and deepen the springs and raised the level of the dam. In 2018, the lake area was expanded, the dam was raised and widened, a new lake was created on the other side of the dam, and the area around the lake was levelled. In the same year, the lake was stocked with silver carp, carp, white cupids, crucian carp and loaches.

The following year, in 2019, the water level in the wells located near the lake increased by more than 2.5 metres. The flora and fauna around the lake began to grow richer. Storks, grey and white herons, cormorants, swans, mallards, muskrats, beavers and other species have appeared or returned. The lake has become a centre for cultural and entertainment events for children and adults: meetings, celebrations, recreation, games, dances, discos on the ice in winter and ice skating.

There is a dream to restore the entire cascade of lakes that once existed in the village to restore and preserve the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems. This will include removing invasive plant species, cleaning the water from pollution, restoring natural water flows and creating a natural environment for local fish and other aquatic organisms. Such measures will contribute to rewilding, i.e. the restoration of wildlife, by creating or restoring natural ecosystems as close to their original state as possible. This includes restoring not only the lake itself, but also the surrounding areas, including wetlands that are important for biodiversity.
стенд.pptx

In June 2021 it was decided to try to raise funds on the Pomistya Club platform (https://pomistya.club/) to purchase a marsh excavator for further use in restoring water resources on request. Due to the full-scale invasion in 2022, it was not possible to raise the required amount. However, the funds raised were used for the needs of other ecovillages. The dream of restoring the network of lakes remains, and the goal is to formalise it into the project ‘Network of Lakes in the Charivne Ecovillage’
@genukraine
#ecovillage #4