A new 295-hectare botanical reserve is planned in Kherson region

The Kherson region has approved the creation of a new botanical reserve with an area of almost 295 hectares. Its goal is to preserve rare plants in the region and strengthen the region's nature reserve fund even in times of war.

The order was signed by the acting head of the regional military administration, Dmytro Butriy.

Kherson Oblast plans to create a new object of the nature reserve fund - a botanical reserve of local importance "Economy Ivanivka of Karl Faltz-Fein".

It is a territory within the Borozenska rural community of Beryslav district with an estimated area of 294.2 hectares, and its creation is intended to preserve the unique plant complexes of the region.

The initiative is based on the report "Scientific substantiation of the need to create a botanical reserve" approved by the rector of Kherson State University on December 1, 2025. The request was additionally supported by Olga Filina, acting director of the Department of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of the Kherson Regional State Administration, who noted the importance of preserving biodiversity even under martial law.

Before finalizing the reservation of the territory, the Department must agree on a plan with landowners and primary users of natural resources. According to the document, the creation of the reserve will not only preserve rare and characteristic plant species in Kherson region, it will also be an important step in the development of the region's nature reserve fund.

At the same time, the war in southern Ukraine has brought not only human losses but also catastrophic environmental consequences for the Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve. The removal of animals, fires, and pollution of steppe ecosystems were the result of uncontrolled management by the occupation authorities.

In March 2023, Russia completed the seizure of theAskania-Nova Biosphere Reserve in Kherson Oblast, which was one of the biggest losses for the Ukrainian environment. Since then, the reserve, which is a unique natural site of global significance, has been subject to political and environmental exploitation.

Анна Бальчінос