SYNEVYR National Park

Synevyr National Park was established in 1989. The upper part of Tereblya Valley in Zakarpattya is considered to be the main subject of Synevyr's exploration and protection.

Synevyr National Park is located in the western part of Gorgany mountains; the largest part of it relates to the highlands (440-1719 m). The relief of the park is formed by lowland areas, sharp crests and peaks. The highest mountains here are: Strymba (1719 m), Nehrovets (1707 m), Kanch (1579 m), Tiapesh (1549 m), Darvayka (1502 m), Ozirna (1496 m), Barvinok (1461 m), Popadia (1448 m), Velyky Gorgan (1438 m), Sekul (1389 m).

Depending on the climatic characteristics, the territory of the park is divided into mild, chilly, mild-cold, and cold zones. The average annual temperature is 4,4°С, maximum temperature is +31°С (July), minimum temperature is -34°С (January). Last spring frosts occur in the middle of June, the first autumn frosts occur in early September. The park covers the upper part of Tereblya river basin, floods being a particular feature of it throughout almost the whole year. In addition, warm period is characterized by frequent rains (5-10 times a year), causing soil erosions and landslides.

On the territory of the park, at an altitude of 989 m, there is Synevyr lake — the largest one in the Ukrainian Carpathians. Another small lake is Ozirtse (Wild Lake). Wetlands cover an area of 36.4 hectares. Oligotrophic bog Hlukhanya is the largest sphagnum bog in Gorgany mountains, covering an area of 17 hectares, located at an altitude of 620 m. There is another oligotrophic sphagnum bog in Synevyr — Zamshatka (area covers 4,2 hectares), which due to its vegetation composition and type of nutrition is considered to be a raised bog, having a spherical shape.

A large area of the park is the so-called 'suspension' soils, formed under conditions of high humidity, on the stony placers, covered with a layer of green and sphagnum moss. Unstable soil conditions are caused by mountain avalanches, landslides and washouts.

Flora of Synevyr National Park is represented by a considerable number of different species. In particular, significant vegetative richness is immanent to mountain valleys and Emersiherbosa (marshes). The largest area is covered with coniferous forests; the areas of indigenous fir and beech forest stands have also been preserved, including large number of primeval forests. In general, there are 1726 plant species, 53 of them are included into the Red Book of Ukraine.

There are some peculiarities in the fauna of the park. Mammals are most common here — brown bear, wolf, wild boar, lynx, European pine marten, otter, badger, stoat; deer, roe, squirrel are also frequently encountered here. Avifauna is rich in species composition: spruce forests and krumholtz formations are inhabited wih wood grouse, hazel grouse, common buzzard, eagle owl, ural owl, various kinds of woodpeckers, ring ouzel, etc. White and black stork fly to the peat bogs, wild ducks — to Synevyr lake. Vertebrate animals are represented here by following classes: Cyclostomes  — 1 species, Osteichthyes (bony fish) — 19, amphibians — 12, reptiles — 7, birds — 89, mammals — 42 species. 43 animal species are listed into the Red Book of Ukraine.

An important project, implemented by the Synevyr's park staff, is the Rehabilitation centre for brown bears.

Staff of Synevyr National Park is paying a lot of attention to the environmental education of the population, in particular, young people.

Seminars on environmental ethics for students of all schools in the region are held, based on the Visitor centre of Synevyr National Park.

Visitor centre of the park is located in the original wooden building, where the materials of the destroyed Forestry and Timber Floating Museum are held. Moreover, there are: picture galleries, exhibitions, display stands, that acquaint us with flora and fauna of the region, in particular, the 'red species'. Using model maps of the territory, the visiitors can make a virtual journey by environmental, scientific-educational and tourist routes. In the Visitor centre one can learn many interesting facts about the territory of the park, its native population, sights, museums and monuments of architecture.

Traditionally, Synevyr National Park hosts ecological demonstrations ('Christmas tree', 'Snowdrop', 'Clean River'), in particular, those that are dedicated to specific ecological dates ('International Day of Wetlands', 'World Day of forests', 'World Water Day', 'The day of birds' meeting', 'Environmental Day'). Synevyr National Park takes part in various festivals such as: 'Seeing-off to the mountain valley', 'Tubas calls to Synevyr', 'Towards the Carpathians'. The cooperation with the regional newspaper 'Syniy Vyr', highlighting the environmental and educational issues, also plays a significant role.