Through the forest to the stream and reservoir: interactive tours for IDPs are organized in Poltava Oblast

Internally displaced persons from various parts of Ukraine, who were forced to leave their homes due to the war, recently participated in an interactive excursion to Dykanka in Poltava region. The children and their parents traveled to the Regional Landscape Park of Dykanka as part of the Shelter Poltava project.

Upon arrival in Dykanka, the group was greeted by tour guide Tetiana Hryhorivna. Tetiana, a biology teacher, designed the interactive route herself, which the children and parents would follow.
We started at the entrance to the forest, where a large sign read, "Ecological Trail: From Cossack Oaks to Trojan Lines." Tetiana explained, "This is our route for today. We will pass through the forest area called 'Rih,' Zhukova Balka, Serbyn Field, and reach the Trojan Reservoir. The entire route will take approximately 2-2.5 hours."

Before entering the woodland, the group protected themselves from mosquitoes with sprays. They were divided into two teams and given names: "Druzhba" (Friendship) and "Konyky" (Little Horses). Each team received a task sheet to be completed during the interactive excursion.

The children formed pairs and started with a game called "Stream." Each person who moved forward had to say what should not be done in the forest or mention something that is allowed.
We stopped near the first oak tree, and the tour guide took out a measuring tape. "Do you know how to determine the age of an oak tree without cutting it down?" Tetiana asked. Together with the children, she measured the height at one and a half meters and then measured the trunk's diameter. "This oak tree is approximately 270 years old," she explained.

Next, the "Konyky" team moved on to the first stand. It provided interesting information about oaks, including the length of their roots, the concept of hollows, and the creatures that inhabit them. They received question sheets with answers to be found on the stand.

"One of these hollows can swallow up to 15 acorns, unlike the magpie," one of the young participants read from the stand.

Meanwhile, the "Druzhba" team tried to identify forest-related objects by touch. One participant had their eyes blindfolded and was given various prepared items to touch.

"This feels like snake skin," Tetyana Varvyanska, who came to Dykanka with her daughter and two grandchildren from Poltava, remarked. "And this is a pine cone."

The group continued through the forest, encountering large anthills, various trees, plants, and insects. Tetyana shared their names and interesting facts about them.

"Here is wild basil. It's good for rinsing your teeth. And there, you see the yellow flowers? Those are chamomiles. And this is wild onion. And do you smell the honey-like fragrance? It's thyme blooming underfoot."
The women actively collected medicinal herbs, creating vibrant bouquets while strolling through the Balka. The children ran around and completed tasks from the stands: examining blind mole rat burrows, assembling a flower clock, and learning intriguing information about the flora and fauna of the balka.

As we approached the edge of the forest, we stopped near the "Ecological Services of the Natural Forest" stand. Nearby, the participants saw edible boletus mushrooms, and some mothers started collecting forest gifts.

"Are they edible?" one of the participants asked. "This is my first time picking mushrooms."

Exiting the forest, a view of Zhukova Balka opened up before us. The excursion participants gathered for a group photo and immediately found delicious strawberries and fragrant herbs.

"Here is sage. It's good for rinsing your mouth. And there, those are cornflowers," Tetiana pointed to the yellow flowers resembling daisies. "And this is wild onion. And feel the honey-like aroma. It's thyme flowering underfoot."

The women enthusiastically gathered healing herbs into colorful bouquets, while enjoying the shade and the beauty of nature. The children ran around and completed tasks from the stands, including observing blind mole rat burrows, assembling a flower clock, and discovering interesting information about the flora and fauna of the balka.

Finally, we reached a field where remnants of crops and some red poppies were visible. The children immediately plucked the red flowers and added them to the bouquets carried by their parents.
At the end of the field, we descended a steep slope. From there, the Trojan Reservoir came into view, and we made our way towards it.

"Here, we have beaver lodges," Tetiana pointed through the thicket over the water. "We will complete one more task regarding the reservoir's inhabitants, and then we will conclude our excursion. Approximately 20 species of birds, various fish, and crayfish live here."
At the end of the route, we gathered at a gazebo near the water. The excursion participants enjoyed freshly brewed herbal tea and snacks. Some brought sandwiches for a snack, while others sought respite from the scorching sun, simply sitting and savoring the shade and the beauty of nature.
After about 30 minutes of rest by the water, we boarded the bus and returned to Poltava