KOD has planted 1.240 seedlings since September: "The capital did not give a cent from the budget"

Since the beginning of the campaign, that is, since September of last year, through the "100.000 Trees Initiative", volunteers of the KOD organization have planted 1.240 trees in Podgorica.

"Zelenil" announced that in the first action through the "My Tree" application, which was completed in December 2018, 93 pieces of adult deciduous and coniferous species were planted in five locations in the city.

"The costs of planting, from the seedling to the accompanying material for the planting itself (fertilizer, stakes, tools...) which were paid from the 'Initiative' account, amounted to about 4.300 euros. Every cent collected and spent from that account made KOD organizations visible - on social networks and on the official website www.kod.org.me. In addition to this amount, in a significant number of cases, citizens themselves bought seedlings that they planted together with us. We estimate that the amount of this type of donation is about 5.000 euros, while the material contribution of the citizens who brought seedlings and accompanying material during the planting amounted to about 4.000 euros", KOD announced. The organization announced that when everything is added up, the total donations exceeded 13.000 euros.

"This is what the citizens have invested in their city and in the greenery. And all this, we emphasize, in addition to the fact that the leaders of the Capital City did not want to give a single cent for this Initiative from the city budget - the budget of all of us. We also noticed that the mayor attacked the 'Initiative of 100.000 trees' on several occasions and that he characterized it in a very derogatory way", announced KOD.

KOD announces that they also have a nursery where they planted 10.000 acorns - they expect to receive 8.000 oak seedlings from them.

"Depending on the type and age of the seedling, the most expensive seedling cost 35 euros - which we ordered at the request of the citizens, and the average price of a perennial seedling over three meters high is between 15 and 25 euros. However, we must emphasize that we encountered a really great understanding and significant discounts from the nurseries where we bought the seedlings. It is also important to make a difference in price between perennial trees that are several meters high and saplings that are used for afforestation", they announce from KOD and add that they planted sycamores, birches, lindens, lindens, oaks, ash trees...

KOD told "Vijesta" that they mostly receive money for the purchase of seedlings from citizens by payment to a giro account at 520-39659-20 (Organization KOD - purpose of payment FOR 100.000 TREES) and so far about 4.500 euros have been paid.

Citizens bought trees directly, and they also had immaterial monetary donations.

"In cases where all this was not enough, members of the KOD organization or the organization itself would replace the missing funds, and often citizens who live near the locations where we plant would come to the rescue. The action is of a volunteer nature - there is no fee - the reward is green Podgorica ", announce from KOD.

The number of 100.000 trees, in addition to being practical, has a motivational significance and should be the trigger for action for as many green areas as possible, KOD announced.

"It seems to us that we have succeeded in this and that "green is back in fashion". It is very important that we understand that the '100.000 trees initiative' is a need of the citizens - and that the KOd organization was only its initiator, so we can freely say that it belongs to the citizens...", KOD said.

In KOD, they plan to continue the action throughout Montenegro, and they will first start in Bar.

Planted in 12 locations

KOD says that they planted trees in the part of the city across from Morača, near the Delta, on Zabjelo, in the center, Dajbaska Gora... or more precisely in 12 locations: in the Boulevard of St. Peter Cetinjski, the Boulevard of Vojvoda Stanko Radonjić, the Youth Brigade, near the Crooked Bridge, near the "Neksan" building on Zabjelo, in the streets of Bratstva i Jedinstvo, Meša Selimović, Block V, Serdar Jol Piletić, near Delta, Architect Milan Popović Street, on Dajbabaska Gora.

"My tree" comes alive on the first day of spring

The start of the new planting campaign through the "My Tree" application is planned for the first day of spring, "Zelenil" reports.

"For the most part, tree rows are planned to be planted in the five new locations, and Marka Miljanova Street, Block IX, Slovakia Street, Vijenci Danil Kiš and Filipa Linović Street will be richer for 134 pieces of adult seedlings. That's why we invite all socially responsible companies, enterprises and citizens to donate its contribution to the achievement of our common goals," the announcement reads.

"Zelenilo" was entrusted with the selection of locations in order to contribute to an even distribution of planting throughout the entire territory of Podgorica, as well as the selection of plant species resistant to high temperatures, diseases and pests adapted to the climatic, edifice and orographic conditions of Podgorica, the city company reports. They remind that "Zelenilo" is also responsible for the maintenance of seedlings after planting, which additionally confirms the systemic approach and responsible attitude towards the newly formed green areas in the city.

"The common goal of "Zelenilo" doo, the Capital City and the company "Amplitudo" is to green Podgorica and change the awareness of our fellow citizens and socially responsible companies and enterprises about the space we share.

The very fact that in the first cycle 93 seedlings were planted with a large number of socially responsible companies and citizens, as well as that the continuation of the planting is planned for this year, shows us that we succeeded in our intention to raise environmental awareness among our fellow citizens and point out the importance and need of forming new green areas and their maintenance with the aim of a healthier environment and a higher quality of life for citizens...", announced from "Zelenil".