Hundreds of students reforest fire-damaged area in Grebaštica near Šibenik

(Photo: Scout Association of Croatia)

Over 300 volunteers spent this Saturday working outdoors, planting new seedlings to restore some of the greenery and forest on Jelinjak Hill near Šibenik, where a large wildfire last summer destroyed over 600 hectares of forest.

This reforestation effort is part of the well-known Boranka campaign, which focuses on replanting areas in Dalmatia affected by fires.

This was the third major planting event of the year and the 41st since Boranka began seven years ago.

The Boranka campaign is organised primarily by the Scout Association of Croatia, Croatian Forests (Hrvatske šume), the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS), and the Civil Protection Directorate. The reforestation efforts in Grebaštica are carried out in partnership with and support from the City of Šibenik.

(Photo: Scout Association of Croatia)

The aim of these reforestation activities is to involve different groups of citizens and volunteers, giving them the opportunity to personally contribute to nature’s recovery while learning first-hand about the importance of forests for the environment and the reasons behind forest damage.

(Photo: Scout Association of Croatia)

This Saturday’s event included students and teachers from six high schools in Šibenik and Split, namely A. Vrančić Gymnasium in Šibenik, Vladimir Nazor 5th Gymnasium in Split, Split’s School of Natural Sciences, the Vocational School Split, the Maritime School Split, and the 3rd Gymnasium Split.

(Photo: Scout Association of Croatia)

Although planting seedlings is not an easy task, these high school students were determined to plant the seedlings correctly and carefully.

“This is my first time at Boranka, and I really enjoyed it. The sun was quite strong, but we managed. There were three of us in a team, and we planted everything, but since the area is rocky, digging isn’t easy. I’d recommend others to join; it’s fun, a productive way to spend a morning, and you do something good,” said Roko Đugaš from the Maritime School Split.

(Photo: Scout Association of Croatia)

Representatives from Croatian Forests, the Šibenik Forestry Office, and the Scout Association of Croatia participated in the event as organisers, along with scouts from the Spinut Sea Scout Unit in Split and the Zarus Scout Association in Zadar. Volunteers were also assisted by members of the Šibenik Red Cross and joined by members of the Šibenik Lions Club.

The event was open to all citizens of goodwill, and many local residents from Šibenik, especially those from the Grebaštica neighbourhood, participated in the reforestation of Jelinjak Hill.

(Photo: Scout Association of Croatia)

“The fire last summer was horrific. I can’t describe how terrifying it was to experience it in person. I’m from Grebaštica, and I came to help restore our hill. Jelinjak used to be covered in greenery, and now, for the first time, the forest is completely gone. It’s desolate. By planting here, we can hopefully bring back the green sooner. Thank you to everyone who joined today, especially the young people, because together we are helping both nature and our planet,” said Darinka Svirčić, a resident of Grebaštica.

(Photo: Scout Association of Croatia)

Before the planting activity, representatives from Croatian Forests and the Scout Association of Croatia held an educational session for volunteers on the importance of forests and the impact of climate change on nature. Volunteers were provided with seedlings, planting tools, and work gloves. Foresters and scouts then demonstrated proper planting techniques. The planting at Jelinjak Hill included a mix of trees—holm oak, black ash, cypress, and coastal pine—to create a diverse and high-quality forest that would preserve biodiversity.

(Photo: Scout Association of Croatia)

Since its launch, Boranka has mobilised over 11,800 volunteers from across Croatia and abroad. So far, scouts and other volunteers have planted more than 135,000 new trees, seeds, and acorns at fire sites around Split, Solin, Makarska, Trogir, Zadar, and now Šibenik. Boranka has become the largest volunteer reforestation campaign in Europe, showcasing a remarkable example of how volunteers, institutions, and organisations can come together to restore nature.

(Photo: Scout Association of Croatia)

Numerous institutions also support the organisation of Boranka, including Croatian Forests, HGSS, the Civil Protection Directorate, and the Red Cross. This year’s main sponsors include Raiffeisen Bank, Ferrero International, Radenska Adriatic, Henkel, DM, Hartmann, Abbott, and Dacia.

The campaign has long been endorsed by the European Parliament, the Croatian Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Science and Education, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the American Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Embassy, UHDDR, the IMAGO and HEARTH agencies, the World Scout Foundation, and the German-Croatian Chamber of Industry and Commerce.