Steppe Wonder

October 16, 2009 – 10:53 am

When in July 2009 web surfers across the planet voted for a new set of seven world wonders, Ukrainians supported their own candidate: the Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve, located in southern Kherson region. Even though their choice did not make the final list, it took a dignified 14th place among all national parks, forests and natural reserves worldwide. Among Europe’s national parks, this unique piece of undisturbed steppe ranked number five!

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By admin | Posted in South Ukraine | Comments (0)

Askania-Nova. Reserved Land

April 3, 2008 – 1:15 pm

110 years ago, in 1898, Friedrich Falz-Fein, a landowner, sheep breeder, and naturalist from the Askania-Nova village in the province of Tavria reserved 600 hectares of his wild steppe land in order to preserve it for future generations in its original state. By that time, the naturalist had created a real oasis in the dry steppes of Tavria: a zoo and a silvicultural park with artificial irrigation (unusual at the time). Thanks to Falz-Fein, Ukraine now has a modern biosphere reserve unique in Europ

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By roman | Posted in South Ukraine | Comments (1)