On Sunday, February 2, the UAnimals volunteer community set out for their first-ever winter cleanup, tackling waste on Khortytsia Island in Zaporizhzhia. More than 60 people joined the effort.
Over three hours, they removed three tons of trash from the nature reserve, including glass, various plastics, and rusty cans. Much of the debris surfaced as the water level in the Dnipro River dropped. Some of it, however, was left behind by careless visitors, according to the National Reserve “Khortytsia.” In fact, it was reserve staff who initially requested help with the cleanup.
UAnimals organized transportation, bringing participants to and from the island. Volunteers were provided with gloves and trash bags before starting, and after the work was done, they were treated to tea and cookies. Organizers even brought raincoats just in case, but the weather was on their side—it was a sunny Sunday.
The cleanup was coordinated by Zaporizhzhia-based volunteer Hanna Starobykhovska. The transportation and all necessary supplies were funded through the support of sponsor Anhelina Usanova, a singer and winner of “Miss Ukraine Universe 2023.”
Join in—together, making a difference is easier!
