The Autumn 2022 planting season in Romania has just come to an end – and we are delighted to announce that we planted another 20,000 trees in Groapele, Fagaras Mountains.
We are working in this area to protect existing ancient forest, to restore degraded land and to rebuild essential wildlife corridors. This additional work brings the total of trees we’ve planted in the Carpathian Mountains to a massive 140,000 since Forests Without Frontiers (FWF) began!
It was thanks to the success of our Autumn fundraising campaign which saw all donations matched by two generous donors – and we reached our target of £30,740. As well as planting 20,000 trees in Romania this season it means we will also be able to plant 10,000 more trees next spring and support our UK projects. Thanks so much to everyone who donated, supported and shared our campaign.
FWF founder Nicoleta was able to join Ion Holban, from FWF’s Romanian team, and Ionut Cretu, from partners Foundation Conservation Carpathia (FCC), Romania in November and get involved with the planting and meet those working on the ground. It was good to reconnect with FCC and hear about their future plans and we look forward to continuing our work with them.
Reforestation here is challenging work – the area planted this season was at the highest altitude so far, almost 1,500 meters up in the mountains, a very difficult area to reforest. Just reaching the site takes around two hours on foot.
“Although it’s heartbreaking to see the deforestation I was so happy that we were able to continue this important work and to be out there with everyone doing something positive,” said Nicoleta. “I loved hearing all their stories, many of the workers came from one big family, with brothers, sisters, cousins, husbands and wives and grown-up children working together to restore the landscape. Each generation working hard to protect their land.”
Our partner Go Forest was able to visit the site this autumn, and was impressed by the hard work of the team.
Nicoleta also visited areas where we have planted in previous years to see the saplings’ growth. We’re pleased to report that the survival rate has been high despite the extreme environments – and work continues to replant trees that don’t make it.
One of the highlights of the trip for Nico was returning to the place Forests Without Frontiers planted its very first trees three years ago in Dobroneagu.
“It gives me hope to see the trees growing and the landscape coming back to life – but you can also see the reality of how much work is still needed. This is a huge and ongoing project – and we are very grateful for everyone’s continued support.”
During the trip, Nicoleta was also able to visit local singer, 79-year-old Silvia Dan, who lives in the village Nucsora, next to the area where we filmed and recorded Interbeing, a recent project by Nico funded by Cambridge Conservation Initiative and the Roman Cultural Institute that also highlights and supports our work in the Carpathian mountains. Sylvia featured on the album and film of Interbeing.
“Silvia was touched by the film – and was so happy to see that we are already planting trees in the area where she lives thanks to all the donations we received for the album.” said Nicoleta.
Interbeing can be watched on our website and the album can be streamed on Spotify. FWF is very grateful for any donations to help restore the landscape where the project was made!