Conservationist campaign in Romania allows people to adopt over 2,500 ancient beech trees

A new initiative of the village of Nucșoara in Argeș County, Romania, carried out with the support of the Conservation Carpathia team, aims to protect some of the most spectacular ancient beech trees in Europe and to contribute to the development of tourism in the area.

The “Forest of Immortal Stories” campaign is a simple and innovative way for people to connect with nature and leave a legacy behind through the adoption and protection of an ancient beech tree. This type of tree is almost immortal and is especially sought-after as material for furniture or musical instruments.

The ancient beech trees at Nucșoara are on land owned by the local town hall, but due to a lack of funds, they have not been included in a tourist circuit and are not protected.

Starting in 2021, the Conservation Carpathia Foundation, the largest nature conservation project in Europe, together with the local town hall has set themselves to promote the ancient trees of Nucșoara in a unique project, selecting 2,544 trees, like the altitude of the highest peak in Romania, Moldoveanu. Each tree was included in a map with GPS coordinates, photographed, and given a number plate. Anyone can adopt a secular beech tree for RON 700, choosing it from a map of the area or searching by a preferred number.

Adopters can choose to leave a story on the website which will then be edited, audio recorded, and printed on a QR code to be placed on the adopted tree. This way, every time someone scans the QR code, they will be able to read that story and connect with the person who adopted the tree.

A beech tree can be adopted for a period of 7 years, and adopters receive an adoption certificate by email with an image of the chosen tree and its GPS coordinates. Those who want to join the project but prefer to adopt a tree without leaving their story can also have this option on the Arboricupovesti.ro website.

“I discovered the ancient beech trees in the area of Nucșoara at the most difficult moment of my life. Although I am a local and know the area and I have passed these meadows many times, I never stopped to look carefully at their value and beauty. The experience gave me hope and health, and made me feel the connection between man and nature, its generosity and tolerance, giving me meaning in life. That was the moment when I said that more people should know about these beech trees, that they should be protected, and that they should stay here. I am honored to launch the ‘Forest with Immortal Stories’ and I hope that both the people of Nucșoara and our guests will understand and contribute to our efforts to preserve and pass on what nature has so generously given us,” said Ion Cojocaru, mayor of Nucșoara.

The ‘Forest of Immortal Stories’ campaign is open to all those who want to support the preservation of natural values and aims to promote the vast areas of native grassland on which many ancient trees, especially beech trees, grow. Organizers say the project is a good way to connect people with nature and can be a legacy that will last for generations to come, just like the anti-communist resistance that was born, and which persisted in the Nucșoara area for over ten years.