Description of the attraction
One of the largest forests and one of the first forest belts in the steppe zone of Ukraine is Staroberdyanskoe forestry, which is located on the left bank of the Molochnaya River, 18 km north-east of the city of Melitopol.
Staroberdyanskoe forestry was created on April 4, 1846 in order to prove the possibility of forest cultivation in steppe conditions at sufficiently high summer temperatures and periodic droughts. The first planting was carried out by the famous forester I. I. Kornis. Initially, the area of annual afforestation was about 3-6 hectares. Planting was carried out with seedlings. During the Crimean War (1853-1856), planting ceased altogether, after which it was no longer systematic.
In 1859, on the basis of this plantation, the Berdyansk educational steppe forestry was founded. The bronze medal, which the forestry received for participation in the world exhibition, held in 1867 in Paris, testifies to how important the very fact of its existence was recognized. In 1879 the well-known forester P. Sivitsky became the head of the exemplary steppe forestry (the name that was borne by the forestry at that time). During Sivitsky's 40-year tenure in this position, the area of forest plantations has doubled.
Since 1919, a new history of the forestry began. Today, over 170 tree and shrub species grow here. These are mainly oak, ash, white acacia, elm and Crimean pine. In addition, there are quite exotic species in the forestry, such as Japanese sophora, orange maklura and ironwood - frame. It is also home to 50 species of birds and more than 40 species of animals.
Staroberdyanskoe forestry is a good place in summer, spring and winter for lovers of dirt roads, paths and nature. The depths are clean, quiet and calm. The entire forestry is divided into squares by dirt roads.
