On Sunday, November 30, we ended the 2025 planting season in a very special way. In Crevedia Mare, in Giurgiu County, on the banks of the Neajlov River, we planted 1.6 hectares of forest and tested for the first time a technology that could change the way we help trees survive in a world increasingly affected by drought.
When the sky is overcast, but volunteers are present
The weather was not our ally. The heavy sky, the damp earth after days of rain, the cold that penetrated you to the bones – all reminded us that we are at the end of autumn, on the threshold of winter. But as it always happens at our plantings, a group of dedicated volunteers chose to spend Sunday differently: with their hands in the dirt, planting the future.
There weren’t many of us, but we were enough. Because, in the end, what matters is not the number of people, but the number of seedlings that take root.
Oaks and honey locust trees for a more resilient ecosystem
We carefully chose the species for this land: pedunculated oak and honey locust trees. The oak tree likes the proximity of the water, and the Neajlov offers it exactly what it needs. The honey locust tree, with its strong root system, favours the enhancement of the soil structure and fertility and perfectly complements the picture, contributing to the improvement of the fertility of the soil.
The 1.6-hectare land we have forested is not just a future green area – it is a protective curtain for the community, a buffer zone between localities, an ecosystem that will shelter life in a few years.
Partnership with the local authorities
The Crevedia Mare Town Hall provided us with the land for this planting. The discussion with Mayor Daniel Badea started six to seven months ago, and the collaboration allowed the identification of several vulnerable areas in the commune that could benefit from afforestation.
Technology for a more resilient nature
But the planting at Crevedia Mare also had an innovative component that excited us all. We collaborated with Proon-Tech to test a solution that could make a difference in the survival of the seedlings in the coming years.
“We are trying – together with our partners at Proon-Tech – to test how we can help trees grow better, adapt to drought conditions and climate change,” said Mihail Caradaică, Executive Director of the Foundation.
Thea Gherdan, CEO of Proon-Tech, explained how it works: “We noticed that we can complement the health part of the soil, but also reduce the water consumption that is necessary for planting and post-planting actions.” Given that the last few years have brought us increasingly severe droughts, any technology that helps trees survive with less water becomes essential.
Stefan Alin, the company’s CTO, was in the field with us, setting up a test plot: “We test and check the fertility and acidity of the soil and, if necessary, we supplement it with our hydrogel fertility tablets that will help a more accelerated growth of the forest.”
The idea is simple, but powerful: instead of fighting against nature, we work alongside it. We give them the tools they need to regenerate more effectively in the face of climate change.
Why every tree matters
When one plants on a cold and wet day, when there are few volunteers and the sky is dark and gloomy, one may ask themselves: does it really matter? The answer is simple: yes, it matters enormously.
Each of the 1.6 hectares that we forested on Sunday represents:
- Cleaner air for the local community
- Protection against erosion of the banks of the Neajlov River
- Habitat for countless species of birds, insects and mammals
- A natural carbon reservoir that fights climate change
- A green area for future generations
We continue in 2026 as well!
The closure of the 2025 planting season does not mean a pause in our activity. We are already preparing for the spring of 2026, when we will return with fresh forces. And at Crevedia Mare, based on the results of the Proon-Tech tests, we might come back with a solution that will help us increase the survival rate of the seedlings in all our plantations.
We thank the Crevedia Mare Town Hall for the land made available. We thank our partners at Proon-Tech for their innovation and dedication. We thank the partners from Acia Forest, who support us with forestry solutions this season. And we thank from the bottom of our hearts the volunteers who came on Sunday, despite the weather, because they understood that the future is planted today, even if the sky was gloomy.
See you in spring, with more trees, more hope and, perhaps, more sunshine.
Help us plant more forests in 2026: for every small donation, we plant a seedling in your name!
