Love for Nature — Love for the Motherland

A remarkable natural harmony prevails in every corner of our sunny land. Preserving this priceless wealth and passing it on to future generations is the sacred duty of every citizen. Today, environmental protection and a careful attitude toward the ecosystem are priority vectors of the state policy led by the Hero-Arkadag and Arkadagly Hero Serdar. The large-scale work carried out in the country in this field deserves special recognition. A significant contribution to fostering a love for native nature among the youth is also made by the "Young Naturalist" public organization. Established in the autumn of 2022, the organization’s primary goal is to promote the environmental security of the country. The activities of "Young Naturalist" are aimed at educating the population, especially the youth, preserving and restoring flora and fauna, and supporting youth initiatives in the field of sustainable use of natural resources. Since its inception, the organization has implemented numerous environmental campaigns, educational seminars, and excursions to state nature reserves. We regularly feature in the mass media to popularize environmental stewardship. Following the wise principle, "A planted tree is the eternity of life," the organization's activists have planted thousands of saplings across the country. The past year, 2025 — the International Year of Peace and Trust — was a milestone for us. In collaboration with the Secretariat of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO, environmental festivals and thematic weeks were organized in several secondary schools belonging to the UNESCO Associated Schools Network. At the Youth Forum held in the "Avaza" National Tourist Zone during the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, our organization presented important proposals for developing environmental culture and fostering eco-awareness among the younger generation. "Young Naturalist" closely cooperates with UN agencies operating in Turkmenistan. A striking example was the "Ozone and Climate" scientific and creative competition, held among metropolitan schoolchildren in partnership with UNIDO and UNDP to commemorate the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. Last year, in honor of the 34th anniversary of independence, a creative competition titled "Young Naturalist: Green World, Prosperous Future" was organized together with the editorial office of the "Watan" newspaper, aimed at providing broad media coverage of environmental issues. In the current year, 2026, held under the motto "Independent, Permanently Neutral Turkmenistan - Homeland of Purposeful Heavenly Horses" and marked by the upcoming 35th anniversary of independence, "Young Naturalist" will continue its active educational work. Our plans include hosting youth forums, creative meetings, and competitions. Special attention will be given to the role of mothers in the environmental education of children. Recognizing that the foundations of a worldview are laid within the family, we plan to expand the series of events for young mothers dedicated to climate change adaptation. May the noble endeavors of the Hero-Arkadag and Arkadagly Hero Serdar, aimed at the environmental well-being and prosperity of our dynamically developing Motherland, always be crowned with success! We wish them sound health and long life! Leyli SHYHMEDOVA, Head of the "Young Naturalist" Public Organization.