Silent Oxygen Factories: Kragujevac Gains a New Green Oasis
"Every tree matters for our environment, but it seems to me that people are often not aware enough of this. A tree is a silent oxygen factory. That is why it is crucial to work on educating children, youth, and adults alike, so we can foster environmental awareness and understand just how essential greenery is—both in urban areas and across the entire planet," explains Prof. Zorica Petrović from the Faculty of Science, who held lectures for primary school pupils on the importance of tree planting and its impact on air quality.
The City of Kragujevac is one of 18 cities and municipalities supported through the "PRO - Local Governance for People and Nature" Programme. This Programme is jointly implemented by United Nations agencies in Serbia - UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNEP - in cooperation with the Government of Serbia, and with financial support from the Government of Switzerland. In partnership with the citizens' association "Prvi prvi na skali", the City of Kragujevac implemented the "Nature Paths" project with the goal of expanding green spaces and strengthening citizens' environmental awareness. The central activity of the project was the planting of 135 saplings in the area next to the "Čika Dača" stadium, creating a brand-new green oasis in this part of the city. Beyond enhancing Kragujevac's aesthetic appeal, tree planting plays a critical role in mitigating the effects of air pollution and climate change.
"The area around the 'Čika Dača' stadium is located near the wider city center of Kragujevac, where traffic volume is extremely high. Through afforestation and education, we wanted to show children how tree planting helps reduce air pollution, and highlight how vital it is to protect young trees," notes Stefan Nikezić, a member of the City Council for Environmental Improvement and Protection.
The association "Prvi prvi na skali", widely recognized for its long-standing commitment to environmental protection and public education, played an important role in bringing the project to life.
"This project demonstrated the importance of synergy between science, the civil sector and local government. Together, we managed to involve schools, teachers, parents, and children in activities that carry long-term value for the community. We are particularly pleased that the children participated with such great enthusiasm and now feel a personal sense of responsibility toward the trees they planted themselves," emphasizes Dejan Milošević from the "Prvi prvi na skali" association.
Among the active participants were students from the "Treći kragujevački bataljon" Primary School. Their geography teacher, Goran Simović, points out that the students showed immense interest in both the workshops and the planting itself.
"The kids were practically competing for a spot in the project. Through various creative activities - ranging from modeling clay and leaves to learning about different tree species - we successfully bridged geography, biology, and ecology. However, they were most thrilled by the actual planting, knowing they were directly contributing to their city," says Simović.
Carefully selected native and ornamental tree species were planted during the project, including white ash, birch, silver maple, Japanese cherry, European nettle tree, Atlas cedar, and Austrian pine. Pre-school institutions also made a special contribution. Bojana Mikarić, director and founder of the "Vrabac" kindergarten, notes that developing a close relationship with nature must begin in earliest childhood.
"We talk to the children every day about responsibility toward themselves and their surroundings. When they grow up in harmony with nature, children much more naturally develop an awareness of how our actions impact the environment. This project also helped us adults realize the ease with which children accept and adopt the concept of coexisting with nature," states Mikarić.
The "Nature Paths" project confirmed that local initiatives can bring about significant, lasting changes in the community. The new green space in Kragujevac is not just a place for rest and recreation, but a symbol of collective dedication to a healthier environment and future generations.
Without trees, it would be impossible to maintain the oxygen levels required for the survival of all living things. That is why it is essential to plant as much as possible and to constantly cultivate awareness about the value of every single tree," concludes Professor Petrović.
Project participants believe this is just the beginning and hope that similar initiatives will continue to transform the city for the better—step by step, sapling by sapling.