On September 26, the Vinnytsia Regional Council (Vinnytska Oblasna Rada) adopted a crucial and long-awaited decision to establish the “Horiachkivka” Landscape Conservation Reserve (Landshaftnyy Zakaznyk Mistsevoho Znachennia—a Protected Area of local significance). The reserve covers 182.0329 hectares within the Horodkivska Rural Territorial Community (hromada) in the Tulchyn District.
This success is the result of a formal appeal and scientific justification prepared by the Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group (UNCG), aimed at preserving unique meadow-steppe landscapes that are under critical threat of being plowed (rozoriuvannia).
A Haven for Endangered Species
The main purpose of establishing the “Horiachkivka” Reserve is the conservation of the habitat for the European Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus citellus). This species is rare, listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine (the national list of threatened species), and protected under the Bern Convention (Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats).
In Ukraine, where over 50% of the land is plowed and natural meadows and steppes are rapidly being converted into arable land, the establishment of such protected areas is a matter of survival for entire species.
We strive to protect these last remaining “fortresses” of wild nature, which perform key ecosystem functions: accumulating carbon, retaining moisture, and preventing soil erosion.
The “Horiachkivka” Reserve is the first of seven planned reserves in the Vinnytsia region where our team has documented viable colonies of the European Ground Squirrel.
In addition to the Ground Squirrel, the “Horiachkivka” territory provides protection for:
- European Wildcat (Felis silvestris).
- The Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga), a Red Data Book bird species.
- The rare Bombus pomorum (Bumble Bee).
- Valuable habitats defined by Resolution 4 of the Bern Convention (perennial herbaceous calciphilous communities and steppes).
Sustainable Management Mandate
The establishment of the reserve allows for the introduction of scientifically justified land management. This mandates a ban on plowing, construction, and other forms of soil disturbance.
At the same time, moderate livestock grazing and haymaking (after the vegetation period of Red Data Book plants) will be permitted. These activities are critically important for maintaining the low-grass steppes, which serve as the ideal environment for the Ground Squirrels.
