Over 125,000 trees planted across Croatia by ‘Šumoborci’

(Photo: Scout Association of Croatia)

Around 6,500 volunteers, known as “Šumoborci” or Forest Guardians, planted over 125,000 new trees in 76 reforestation actions over the past two years in Croatia.

In the town of Perjasica, near Duga Resa in the Karlovac County, the final reforestation actions of the year were held this week as part of the project “CO2MPENSATING BY PLANTING.” This initiative, the first Croatian and regional program for offsetting CO2 emissions through tree planting, was launched two years ago by the Scout Association of Croatia, Croatian Forests, and the creative agency HEARTH.

(Photo: Scout Association of Croatia)

It represents an innovative response to the harmful effects of climate change. Unlike the “Boranka” campaign, which focuses on reforesting fire-affected areas in Dalmatia, this project addresses reforestation in continental regions where forests have suffered from the adverse impacts of climate change such as drought, storms, and the activities of foreign pests.

The educational component of the project, called “Šumoborci,” involves elementary and high schools whose students participate in educational workshops on climate change, the importance of forests, and environmental protection.

(Photo: Scout Association of Croatia) 

Following these workshops, students become volunteers in reforestation actions. The workshops are conducted by scouts and climate experts from the Tatavaka association, with the support of Croatian Forests and the Civil Protection Directorate.

The project successfully combines theory and practice, allowing students to witness firsthand how climate change directly affects our forests and to actively contribute to their restoration. Over 40 elementary and high schools have joined the program so far, with many others planning to participate from the next season. More than 4,000 students from these schools have already participated in reforestation actions.

(Photo: Scout Association of Croatia)

(Photo: Scout Association of Croatia)

Reforestation activities take place in two annual cycles – early spring and late autumn – when planting is feasible in inland areas. The autumn cycle, lasting one month, concluded this week. In Perjasica, within the Barilović municipality, where coniferous forests (spruce, fir, pine) suffered from disease and drying, Šumoborci organized 19 reforestation actions, involving over 1,500 volunteers who personally planted 24,000 pedunculate oak saplings. In total, 34 reforestation actions were carried out in the spring and autumn cycles of 2023, with 2,800 Forest Guardian volunteers.

(Photo: Scout Association of Croatia)

(Photo: Scout Association of Croatia)

(Photo: Scout Association of Croatia)

(Photo: Scout Association of Croatia)

The entire “CO2MPENSATING BY PLANTING” project, launched in late 2021, has been highly successful, organizing a total of 76 reforestation actions in 13 locations across Croatia. More than 6,500 Forest Guardian volunteers, assisted by scouts, HEARTH members, and Croatian Forests foresters, have planted 125,000 new trees, primarily oak saplings.

(Photo: Scout Association of Croatia)

(Photo: Scout Association of Croatia)

The intensity of action maintenance is remarkably high, with actions being organized almost every day. Scouts, HEARTH members, and Croatian Forests foresters welcome volunteers at each action, providing them with coffee, tea, sandwiches, and work gloves. An introductory lecture on forest cultivation and maintenance is followed by a practical demonstration of planting, distribution of saplings and planting equipment, and then the actual planting of oak saplings. This setting allows volunteers to understand the consequences of climate change, gain insights into forestry, and actively contribute to forest restoration.

In addition to numerous schools, around 30 large companies and other institutions have joined the project, participating with their employees in reforestation actions. The response from volunteers has been excellent, prompting plans to expand the project throughout Croatia from next year, spanning from Dalmatia to Slavonia.

(Photo: Scout Association of Croatia)

“This is a fantastic story of how both young and older individuals can personally engage in forest and nature restoration, doing something positive for the environment and reducing their carbon footprint. Forests are humanity’s best ally in the fight against climate change, and we believe that those who plant at least one tree will develop a better attitude towards nature and others. The project has been well-received and well-organized, explaining the enthusiastic participation of thousands of volunteers. As organizers – scouts, HEARTH, and Croatian Forests – we prepare and organize everything in advance for each action, making it the largest volunteer reforestation program in Croatia and the entire region. Starting from March next year, we will continue our efforts, expanding actions not only in Karlovac and Zagreb counties but also in Sisak-Moslavina and Split-Dalmatia counties, and later in a total of around 10 counties. This is extremely gratifying as we will be able to assist forests throughout Croatia and enable numerous schools and volunteers to engage in volunteering in their local communities,” said Dan Spicer, the chief coordinator of the “CO2MPENSATING BY PLANTING” project.

(Photo: Scout Association of Croatia)

Organizers invite all interested individuals to learn more about the project on the official website www.compensatingbyplanting.com, which also provides all necessary contacts for project involvement.

Photos by: Roman Avdagić and Igor Pavlović