Tree nursery in Voskopojë

Scouting for a second tree nursery location

Expanding means finding a new location! Last year, this was only an idea, but we reached out to different AdZMs and municipalities across Albania to see the level of interest and identify areas that need reforestation.

We sent many emails, made phone calls, visited sites, and held meetings. We especially enjoyed the site visits! The Municipality of Korçë was one of the first and most proactive to respond. Johan Marko, Director of Forests and Pastures, has supported us from the start. After meeting the Mayor of Korçë and representatives from the National Forestry Agency, we felt a strong positive energy. That made it easy to choose this region for our second tree nursery.

We looked at places like Lubonjë and Vithkuq, but as soon as we arrived in Voskopojë, we knew it was the right place. The area was perfect, and even better, we met a wonderful family. Astrit, our new caretaker, is a great match to manage the nursery with Imer in Lurë. We feel lucky to have both of them. Their real passion for the project helps our trees grow.

Building a new greenhouse in Voskopojë

While women in Lurë planted the last seeds, we finished setting up the tree nursery in Voskopojë and completed the solar-powered automated irrigation system. Both are essential for the trees to survive and grow.

Voskopojë is known for its churches and cultural heritage, so we wanted the new nursery to reflect the village’s spirit in a small way.

Thanks to Albi’s expertise, we tried something new and used gothic arches for the greenhouse structure. He prepared and pre-cut all the parts in his workshop in Tirana, then transported them with the Kësulkuqe. To our surprise, everything was assembled in just one day. By evening, the greenhouse stood strong with its protective cover in place.

During spring, we treated the wood to extend its lifespan and added shade to protect the seedlings from summer heat. We watched as the nursery slowly came to life. The location is perfect, right next to a small Black pine forest and with views of rolling hills and open horizons. In July, we opened the nursery for a community day (Update #28), and the feedback was wonderful. Visitors said they felt peaceful and deeply connected to nature. What more could we ask for from a forest tree nursery?

Seed planting in Voskopojë and introducing new species

In May, we planted the first Pinus Nigra and Abies Alba seeds in Voskopojë, using seeds collected in Lurë. We are also looking for local seed collectors to keep planting native seeds close to their original habitats.

At the new nursery, we are adding more species that grow well at high altitudes. Along with our usual Pinus nigra and Abies alba, we are also trying out other strong species, such as Tilia cordata and Fagus sylvatica. These were kindly donated by the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, which continuously gives us advice and support.

All four species grow naturally in the forests around Korçë. When they are ready, we will plant them only in areas where they fit best, to keep the ecosystem balanced. By growing different types of trees, we hope to boost biodiversity and help create healthier, stronger forests for the future.