Transparent and Participatory System of Green Zones’ Inventory in Ukraine: start of the iTree4UA project

The project iTree4UA runs from September 2021 to December 2022, aiming to enable a full functionality build-out of i-Tree toolbox as an interactive, participatory, and transparent inventory system for green zones (namely areas covered by trees) both in rural and in urban areas in Ukraine for the benefits of local communities and environment under climate change threats.

In the spring of 2021, we have already made the first attempt of urban trees` inventory in Kyiv using the open platform i-Tree (USA). Inventory reports are available for viewing and downloading at the link: Ecopark Osokorki, Sovski Stavki. Field data were collected using the i-Tree Eco software application, which helps assess the ecosystem services of urban trees: carbon sequestration, oxygen production, soil moisture regulation, and more.

 The project includes three main stages: 

1. Collection and processing of minimum required necessary data for the full country buildout of i-Tree Eco in Ukraine:  September 2021 – March 2022.
2. Piloting a full i-Tree Eco buildout for selected hromadas in four oblasts representing different regions of Ukraine: March 2021 – June 2022.
3. Fully enabling local stakeholders to use and benefit from i-Tree Eco in Ukraine (inform, train, practice): June 2022 – October 2022.

Opportunities for involvement

For the systematic use of the i-Tree Eco tool adapted to local data and conditions, a communication campaign is implemented, in order to engage stakeholders (local activists, authorities, data owners, NGOs at all levels in Ukraine) to the project realization.

At least 50 volunteers from at least 4 hromadas in different oblasts of Ukraine are planned to be trained and involved in the pilot inventory projects based on i-Tree Eco study materials in Ukrainian. 

For cooperation, please contact Yevheniia: yevheniia.mykytianska@ecoclubua.com

The project is implemented with financial support the US Forestry Service International Programs in partnership with Davey Tree Expert Company (developers of i-Tree products in USA) and NGO “FORZA“.