BelSU Celebrates Earth Day and Anniversary with Major Carbon‑Balance Tree Campaign

Students and staff of Belgorod National Research University, together with representatives of a local government authority, planted 150 trees at the university’s carbon testing site in the botanical garden. The planting included 11 poplars, as well as 139 Norway maples and white maples.

The event was organised by the leadership of the Institute of the BelSU Earth Sciences with the goal of creating a more comfortable urban environment.

According to Pavel Goleusov, Director of the Regional Carbon Balance Monitoring Centre at BelSU, these trees will not only contribute to a greener future for Belgorod but will also support research on carbon balance monitoring.

“Fast‑growing trees absorb more carbon dioxide, but they are less durable. For carbon neutrality, it is best to use fast‑growing species. Maple performs moderately – it grows steadily, reaching 60–70 centimetres per year,” said Goleusov.

Students from various institutes who are concerned about the region’s environmental situation took part. Each participant received a certificate titled “150 Maples for the Climate: The Green Heritage of Belgorod State University.”

“This is my first time participating in such an event, and I think it is interesting and useful for our green future. Nature is wonderful – we all want to breathe fresh air and live in a clean, beautiful world,” shared Veronika Ivanova, a student at the BelSU Institute of Cross-cultural Communication and International Relations and chair of the International Student Office. “Belgorod is the cleanest city on Earth precisely because we care about it.”