The forest is coming back to life: we planted 250 new spruces near Aleko Hut!

On 10 May 2025, the Surya Foundation — in partnership with the Sofia State Forestry Department — carried out another step in its long-term mission to plant and restore Bulgaria's forests. In a specially organised volunteer action in the area around Aleko Hut on Vitosha, 250 spruce saplings were planted — a species typical of this high mountain belt and crucial for the ecological balance in the region.
The site where the planting took place is especially challenging — with a steep slope, rocky soil and limited access. It was here that, a few years ago, strong winds and heavy snow brought down dozens of centuries-old spruces, leaving behind bare patches and a disrupted forest balance.
Despite the tough conditions, volunteers got stuck in with the planting. Armed with tools, persistence and a wish to help, the participants managed in a single day to bring back the hope of new life to this part of the mountain. Together with experts from the Forestry Department, every sapling was planted with care and attention to the soil and the surroundings, to give it the best possible chance of taking root and growing strong.
“This isn't just tree planting — it's an act of responsibility towards the future. With every sapling we give the mountain a chance to breathe, the forest a chance to come back to life, and ourselves a chance to be more aware and connected to nature,” the organisers from the Surya Foundation said.
The initiative is part of the foundation's long-term mission to care for the environment in Bulgaria. Its aim is not only real tree planting, but also raising public awareness about the importance of forests, biodiversity and personal responsibility in the fight against climate change. The forest is growing. And with it — our responsibility.
If you'd also like to be part of our future green missions, sign up as a volunteer — because together we can do so much more.