Kosovo Peace Trees
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Kosovo Peace Trees is a common project of various local organisations with the aim of environmental improvement and protection throughout the country. The aim is to create a variety of green spaces with the help of the wider community, first in the municipality of Obiliq and elsewhere in the future. Over the course of 3-5 years we aim to plant 2.5 million trees in streets, school yards, near ambulance and police station yards, near private homes, and on KEK land. To be a success the project needs the participation of volunteers from the whole community. Tree types will range from street trees to plantations, hedgerows, copses, orchards including broadleaf hardwood species - oak, ash, maple and birch covering the equivalent of 1,000 hectares. 2010 Planting Plan In March approximately 20 farmers from Obiliq attended a two day workshop for tree planting and maintenance. It was held at the Obiliq municipality building. Approximately 1,400 fruit trees were distributed amongst six of the farmers for planting on their land. In early April, approximately 80 volunteers from secondary schools in Obiliq, and some teachers, recieved training over a two day period about the role of trees in the environment, the economic benefits of trees and forests plus how to plant and maintain trees. The training sessions were held at a local technical high school - Hasan Tahasini. Following the training approximately 50 volunteers helped plant 180 urban street trees in the main street of Obiliq and 50 trees between two schools. Later in April, for Earth Day, there was a public planting event and a spring planting closing ceremony. Further plantings are planned for Autumn. If you would like to donate to the plantings please visit www.intersilva.org. Partner Summary The project in Obiliq is being undertaken in close cooperation with the municipality for which the Municipal Assembly and InterSilva have signed a cooperation agreement. The key person at the municipality overseeing the relationship is the Environment Director, Mr. Nazif Shala. We would like to thank Mr Shala for all of his help to date. We intend to develop ongoing partnerships with established charities in Kosovo. In April 2010 the Balkan Sunflower centre in Plementina supported the tree plantings in a local primary school and a local NGO, Local Action Group, supported the tree plantings in an Obiliq high school. The urban street tree plantings in the main street of Obiliq in April couldn't have happened without the support of the local business community and local people. The KEK power company has verbally agreed to provide land on which trees can be planted and maintained. In December 2009 a demonstration planting event was held at KEK in Obiliq, which 25 people attended. The purpose was to profile sustainable planting practices such as using protective tree tubes to guard against mice and rabbits and prolong tree life. Participants included KEK representatives, Instituti INKOS and Mr Behexhet Shala the Head of Department of of Environmental Protection. Our special thanks to Mrs Adlije Krasniqi, from KEK, who helped organise the planting event including a lecture beforehand, given by Richard Ince, the focus of which was tree shelter methods. 20 tree seedlings, with protective tubes, were planted. Richard Ince, Founder of InterSilva and the main adviser to the project is responsible for agreeing the terms of all partnerships including progressing to signed MOUs. He is very happy to take any questions. Official Plantings To help boost publicity and community engagement opportunities high profile, public planting areas will be created for local and visiting officials in Obiliq and Prishtina so they can get involved in the tree planting effort and show their support. There will be a nominal charge of €5 per tree for a woodland site in Obiliq or Prishtina. For a town park area the cost is €10 and €20 respectively. We hope that a programme of official plantings will help generate good media and public interest in Kosovo Peace Trees. 2009 Planting Ceremony On 3rd December, 2009 approximately 200 people participated in a community tree planting ceremony in Obiliq, supported by the Mayor. People from across the Obiliq community got involved, including approximately 50 school students, 10 teachers, Plementina Education Centre, 10 to 15 people from the Mayor’s office and other local government representatives, local police, the international security force KFOR, Instituti INKOS and KEK (Kosovo Energy Corporation). Some travelled from Prishtina including KUSA, Balkan Sunflowers and ICITAP. 26 trees were planted and students from Pandeli Sotiri school performed a traditional and modern dance. Ardita Fazliu, a student, gave a passionate reading of a poem she wrote to inspire her fellow students to protect the environment. Our special thanks to the Director of Pandeli Sotiri school, Mrs Shyrete Gashi, for hosting the event and to everyone who participated. It was a success! Kosovo Peace Trees facebook Group 800 members have joined since October 2009. Sami Kryeziu, Project Manager in Kosovo, manages the content and welcomes your suggestions/feedback. It’s important that the group is active, up to date and relevant. Your input helps.. http://www.facebook.com/pages/kosovo-peace-trees/159765284658 For more information, please contact us: Sami Kryeziu, Project Manager in Kosovo Richard Ince, Community-based Forestry Adviser |
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