Author: Mike Nova

A major reforestation campaign will launch later this month on the northwestern outskirts of Petropavlovsk, near the Voroniy Island neighborhood, to restore forestland damaged by fire. Approximately 10,000 trees will be planted with the help of local residents, volunteers, and activists. The initiative is fully financed by Russian eco-blogger Alexei Sibirsky.

Grassroots Support and Cross-Border Solidarity

The project was initiated by concerned residents of Petropavlovsk. Local activist Dinara Omurzakova reached out to Sibirsky after learning of his successful reforestation work around Semey, in the east of the country. Sibirsky responded positively, agreeing not only to fund the purchase of seedlings and soil preparation but also to take part in the planting personally.

“I had been following Alexei for a long time. When I saw that he was involved in a similar project in East Kazakhstan, I wrote to him, and he agreed to come to us,” Omurzakova said.

Eco-Activism Without Borders

Alexei Sibirsky is among the most prominent Russian-speaking environmental bloggers, with a following in the millions. His initiatives span multiple countries, focusing on reforestation and the clean-up of water bodies. He funds these efforts through advertising and income from his eco-services platform, which offers tree planting and environmental clean-up.

Sibirsky began his environmental mission following a life-changing accident. Since then, he has implemented green projects worldwide, including several in Kazakhstan. In 2022, after Russia’s partial mobilization, he relocated to Uralsk with his family. As a gesture of gratitude for the city’s hospitality, he organized a clean-up along the Ural River. In 2024, he participated in a river clean-up in Almaty.

A Collective Effort Toward a Greener Future

The Petropavlovsk campaign will be the largest privately supported environmental initiative to date in the North Kazakhstan region. The local forestry authority will manage land preparation, while regional environmentalists, including activist Timur Zveryachenko, are also involved.

Organizers are inviting community members to join the planting on April 26 and 27.

“Every resident of our city can participate with their family and children. If this event is successful, we’ll definitely do it again,” said Omurzakova.

Reforestation as a Strategic Priority

North Kazakhstan region has one of the lowest forest coverage rates in the country, just 5.5%. The regional akimat (council) manages over 550,000 hectares of forest land. Since 2021, the region has been implementing a long-term reforestation program that runs through 2027, aiming to plant 122 million seedlings across 20,000 hectares. From 2021 to 2023 alone, 28.2 million trees were planted.

The Voroniy Island reforestation effort is not just a standalone event but part of a broader strategy to tackle one of the region’s most pressing environmental challenges. Support from both grassroots activists and private benefactors adds critical momentum to these efforts.