News
The biggest collection of fig trees in Bulgaria was planted in Botanica Life gardens
13.05.2019
The next stage of creating a lake with an adjacent park in the village of Nadarevo has begun. After finishing the work on shaping the terrain last year, now it is time to start planting. With the efforts of our entire team, the help of students and volunteers from the Agricultural High School in Popovo, and under the supervision of Mr Fritz Wassmann - the designer of the lake and the park - we began the work.
We planted 25 nut trees and many decorative ones, including Albizia, Atlas cedar and Black pine. On the eastern and northern sides of the terrain we planted a forest of hundreds of young pine trees (Pinus Nigra). The pine trees are a donation from Forest Bulgaria, to whom we are very grateful.
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We also sowed many seeds of plants which will fortify and secure the slopes of the lake. We planted willows and water irises. There is still a lot to do, but the pleasure of seeing the first results is great.
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The creation of the lake helps the educational activities of Botanica Life Foundation, as well as enriching the biodiversity in the area. Life is already there, the swallows are flying over, picking water and mud to build their nests. Storks are also coming, searching for frogs. And frogs are there, too, and will be even more, as the lake is full of thousands of tadpoles.
Fritz Wassmann and his wife, Kaori Takigawa, made a wonderful gift to Botanica Life. At their request, 24 varieties of fig trees were grown in a Swiss nursery. They were selected to suit the climate of the lake. Two of each variety (48 figs in total) were planted in the most sheltered and sunny areas around the lake. Fingers crossed, the figs will love their new home and will grow well. We thank Fritz and Kaori for the original gift and the incredible work on designing the lake and making it happen.
We would also like to thank our friends and supporters Barbara and Kurt Gerring who continue to help us. They have organized a fund-raising campaign in Switzerland, thanks to which we can continue developing the lake project.
The first tree in the park was planted by Mr Jens-Jørgen Pedersen from the Velux Foundations. We thank him and the Velux Foundations enormously for the overall support for creating the training center for sustainable agriculture and youth participation in the village of Nadarevo.
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The creative work continues!
