The Lower Dniester National Park, located in southern Odesa, welcomed guests in a special way on the eve of Easter. After days of bad weather, the sun broke through the clouds, birds sang joyfully, and the first flowers, embraced by recent frosts, reached for the light. On this day, a spring cleanup took place, becoming part of a nationwide Cleanup March organized by the charity "UAnimals". A journalist from 048.ua attended the event.
The charity "UAnimals" provided volunteers with transportation from Odesa, equipment, and refreshments. Participants included local residents of the village of Nadlymanske, students from a local lyceum, park staff, and 12 volunteers from Odesa. Despite the snowy weather the day before, all who came believed they would achieve their goal.
“When you intend to do good — even nature becomes your ally,” noted one of the volunteers.
Before the cleanup began, participants listened to an important briefing. A State Emergency Service employee explained the dangerous findings to watch out for in natural areas, how to react if suspicious objects are found, and how to keep themselves and others safe. This allowed volunteers to start their route informed and cautious with every step.
The route followed the shores of the Karagol Bay, where an eco-trail is planned for the future. Volunteers walked slowly, collecting glass, plastic, tires, and other signs of human negligence. In just 3-4 hours, they managed to gather over a ton of trash.
People of different ages participated in the cleanup, with one of the youngest being eight-year-old Sviatoslav. He collected two bags of trash by himself and shared his impressions:
“Today I want to help nature and see some living creatures. I found a lot of trash and saw many birds — swallows, a pheasant. I would tell people who litter to be kinder to nature, and if they forgot — to turn back and throw it in the trash.”
His mother Karina shared that the family had recently moved to Odesa from their hometown of Kharkiv. Before settling here, they also volunteered in Lviv:
“My son has been helping since he was five. I searched for volunteer activities myself — I wanted to contribute to something meaningful. It’s important for kids to see and feel that they can make a difference.”
After the hard work, volunteers enjoyed a small treat — fragrant Dniester tea “from Uncle Vasyl,” brewed on reeds using a signature recipe, cookies, and warm conversations against the backdrop of stunning spring scenery. Park staff along with ornithologist Serhiy Kurochkin conducted a mini-tour for all interested, discussing the local flora and fauna.
The event at the Lower Dniester Park was part of a larger initiative — on April 12, 247 volunteers cleaned up in five national parks across Ukraine, collecting a total of 16 tons of trash. These tons are not just numbers; they represent saved homes for wild animals and a chance for natural areas to recover. This day by the bay serves as a reminder: caring for nature is not only about big projects, but also about specific actions each of us can take. Even an eight-year-old can set an example for adults.