Anyone wishing to support this wonderful cause is invited to join them again on April 15 at 11 a.m.
Dozens of volunteers participated in the fifth consecutive cleanup event at the Botanical Garden in Plovdiv. Organizers of the noble initiative reported that, together with parents, they managed to clean an additional 200 square meters of the garden’s area. Children also joined the outdoor workshop, where they made, decorated, and hung 14 birdhouses! Within just 20 minutes, these birdhouses were occupied by feathered families.
“We dreamed with the parents about how wonderful it would be to restore the Botanical Garden and have a space where regular activities for all ages can take place outdoors, amidst nature, and within the city. The smallest ones proved our point. They didn’t want to leave. Even the three-year-olds helped, ran, and played on the cleaned meadows (which were once almost impassable). However, we do not intend to stop the regular cleanups,” said Veneta Krumova from the organizers.
For those interested in learning more about the history of the Botanical Garden, here is a brief overview:
The Botanical Garden in Plovdiv was established in 1950 on a plot of 250 decares. It is the third botanical garden in Bulgaria and the first outside the capital. Professor Kiril Kiryakov initiated its creation, focusing on research into Bulgaria’s plant resources. Real activities to build the garden’s collection began in 1957, under the leadership of Dr. Eng. Dimo Gramatikov. Various projects were planned, including water features, artificial landscapes, rock gardens, alleys, resting places, and a rose garden.
By the 1960s and 1970s, the garden had become one of the richest in terms of species in the country. It established a seed bank and participated in international plant material exchanges. However, in the early 1970s, the garden’s area was reduced twice due to land being taken for construction and road extension projects. This decreased its size from 250 decares to 113.504 decares.
Despite these challenges, the western part of the garden, which is the most developed and well-maintained, remains. Unfortunately, the garden is currently neglected and overgrown. While several restoration initiatives have been attempted over the years, they have not been successful. The residents of Plovdiv’s desire to have a functional botanical garden continues. The volunteers remain committed to holding initiatives, speeding up the restoration process, and drawing public attention to a place that has the potential to become a favorite spot for the city’s inhabitants. Join us!
Source : plovdiv.utre.bg