The Discover Serbia team, together with fifteen volunteers from the Register of National Internet Domain Names of Serbia (RNIDS) Foundation, successfully carried out another afforestation action within the “Lungs of Belgrade” initiative, which aims to provide Belgrade with cleaner and fresher air. This action planted as many as 900 seedlings of pedunculate oak and sycamore maple, which represents a significant step towards creating a new forest near Surčin, planned on an area of 250 hectares.

Before the planting began, our team carried out preparatory work that included shallow digging of holes, ensuring optimal conditions for the acceptance of seedlings. We planted pedunculate oak, one of the most valuable autochthonous tree species in Serbia, known for its exceptionally long fertilization period of about 160 years. Planting this type of tree provides an invaluable contribution to the biodiversity of our climate and ensures the long-term stability of new forest ecosystems.

In addition to oak, we also planted container seedlings of sycamore maple, which come with a root ball enriched with substrate and nutrients. This type of seedling enables better acceptance of planting material and a higher percentage of survival, which increases the success of afforestation and the long-term sustainability of the forest.

This phase of afforestation is part of a long-term plan that also includes the construction of accompanying ecological infrastructure – health trails and wells for watering seedlings. These initiatives will ensure proper irrigation and optimal conditions for the growth of new plants, thus contributing to the preservation of the ecosystem in the Surčin area.

The Discover Serbia team will continue to care for the seedlings through regular maintenance and additional protection measures, in order to ensure the longevity and health of this new forest. Cooperation with RNIDS further strengthens our mission and contributes to achieving the goal of creating new “lungs” of Belgrade – green areas that reduce pollution, improve air quality and increase the quality of life of all citizens.

The “For a Greener Surčin” project is implemented by the Municipality of Surčin and the “Discover Serbia” organization with financial support from the European Union within the “EU for Green Agenda in Serbia” project. This “EU for Green Agenda in Serbia” project, with technical and financial support from the European Union and in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in cooperation with Sweden and the European Investment Bank, with additional funding provided by the governments of Sweden, Switzerland, and Serbia.

The “Lungs of Belgrade” initiative strives to raise awareness of the importance of afforestation and the preservation of green areas for the quality of life in urban environments. Through such actions, such as this one with RNIDS, we are creating a sustainable and healthy future, both for us and for generations to come. This forest is not just a new source of oxygen – it is a joint investment in the future of Belgrade.

Learn more about our projects and join us in the mission of greening Serbia!