About the first transfer of a private plot to the Nature Reserve Fund of Ukraine

A story that began with the unprecedented donation of private land to Ukraine's Nature Reserve Fund in the Carpathian Mountains has reached a significant milestone.

In October 2025, we reported on a landmark event: the official transfer of private land to the Verkhovyna National Nature Park through a donation agreement. The charitable act was initiated by Global Conservation, a U.S.-based environmental organization, represented by Jeff Morgan.

On November 18, 2025, this story progressed with the official signing of the Land Transfer Act at the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine. The 0.62-hectare plot, located in a remote and scenic mountain area, is now officially the property of the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine, under the management of the Verkhovyna NNP.

The signing ceremony was attended by Ihor Zubovych, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine; Edgar Tokar, Director of the Department of Protected Areas of the Ministry; Mykhailo Nechai, Director of Verkhovyna NNP; Dmytro Karabchuk, Executive Director of the NGO "Forest Initiatives and Community" (ForestCom); and Natalia Kaplya, legal expert at ForestCom.

The initiative was warmly received by representatives of the ministry. Ihor Zubovych highlighted the potential for creating new "green" jobs within the NNP, potentially involving veterans. He cited a pilot project based at the State Environmental Inspectorate, envisioning 24/7 patrols, rapid response, and a constant presence in the area, effectively creating "forest rangers" who would shift from a "punitive" model to a "preventative" approach regarding forestry violations.

"We have initiated this, and we have eco-control points where former military personnel work. Their sincere desire to work to protect the environment is truly impressive. It's impossible to 'negotiate' with them due to their heightened sense of justice. We involve them in the work as much as possible," Zubovych stated.

The goal of this charitable and significant act is to further develop ecological and educational initiatives in the Verkhovyna district of the Ivano-Frankivsk region, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity. 

Dmytro Karabchuk emphasized this point: "Our most important dream is to make this wonderful place accessible to our veterans, especially people with disabilities. Therefore, we must do everything possible to properly equip the territory, making it as accessible as possible to all people."

For over three years, ForestCom has collaborated with the Verkhovyna NNP on the project "Development of Verkhovyna National Nature Park as an Attractive Rehabilitation and Tourist Hub," supported by Global Conservation. The project aims to address pressing issues facing the park, including a lack of funding and underdeveloped infrastructure. A key focus is creating accessible infrastructure at the "Perkalabska Brama" rehabilitation and tourism hub for the recovery of individuals affected by military actions and other traumas.

Mykhailo Nechai provided an update on the project, informing colleagues about completed work on fencing the area, constructing auxiliary structures, and electrification. He noted that the Biloberizka community is providing three additional plots for children's and sports playgrounds and a parking area.

"The Verkhovyna National Nature Park is sincerely grateful to the NGO 'Forest Initiatives and Community' for this gift. We believe that the construction phase of the rehabilitation and tourism hub may take up to two years under current conditions, but with appropriate funding, it could be completed much faster – within six months," Nechai said.

Edgar Tokar, Director of the Department of Protected Areas, highlighted the importance of uniting the efforts of protected area institutions in the rehabilitation of military personnel and their families: "In today's conditions, it is important to see the example of combining neighboring national nature parks, such as Verkhovyna, Cheremoshsky, Vyzhnytsky, and 'Hutsulshchyna,' which border each other, into so-called 'clusters.' Organized joint activities in such centers can provide better services for the improvement and rehabilitation of our children, and above all, the children of veterans and military personnel, instilling a love for nature and for how people can learn to live in harmony with nature."

This important step has been achieved through a strong partnership between ForestCom, Global Conservation, Verkhovyna NNP, and the Biloberizka community. All those who care are invited to join in creating a vital space for the recovery of our defenders and their families.

Plans include fundraising for the construction of a camping pavilion and visitor center on the newly acquired territory. 

(A presentation with project details and contribution opportunities is available here).

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For more information on the project, visit: https://forestcom.org.ua/project/Development-of-Verkhovyna-National-Nature-Park