Reforestation, rain and campfire

This week, we took part in the annual reforestation effort organized in the mountains around Zhelen. We set off early in the morning for Bov station, where we met up with some of the other participants. We then moved together to Bov stadium, where the foresters took us through the woods in their truck.

After about twenty minutes driving through the forest, we arrived at the reforestation site where we built a campfire to warm ourselves up, but also to make tea for everyone and heat up the meal we had prepared the day before in huge pots. After receiving instructions, we began planting trees in teams of three in the undergrowth. Each of us had a specific role : the first dug the water retention hole, the second dug the planting hole, and the third planted the tree and pressed down the soil. Very quickly, it started to rain cats and dogs, but we didn’t give up ! After a few hours of work, we had planted about 600 young white oaks. We gathered around the fire to share a meal, stories and laughter !

When the rain finally stopped, we were already soaked and about to leave ; so, we were able to hike in dry conditions at sunset. We shared our evening meal, exhausted but delighted… It had been a magical day, both in terms of the people we met and the activity itself.

Maya