Sherbakovskiy National Park

For the last two days we have been at Sherbakovskiy National Park, about a 4 hour drive north of Volgograd. It was a beautiful place, with beautiful plants and even more amazing people. We arrived shortly after lunch and headed out into the rain to looking at some early blooming plants.

Cordalyis galleriana

Adonis volgensis

A clearing full of Cordalyis and Adonis

Pulstatilla patens

This is the only one we could find in flower.

We also had our first sighting of Iris pumila in the wild but unfortunately we were about 2 weeks to early to see it in bloom. 

We found out the park is 12 years old and it is the smallest natural park in Russia, only 35 heacters (about 86 acres). They explained natural parks are a new form of plant conservation and ecological education in Russian in the last 15 years that is why all of the natural parks are so young.

Once you visit it is easy to see why they choose this area for a nature park. There are beautiful sweeping landscapes, with rolling hills and deep ravens. It is primarily sandy soil that is very rocky. They believe an earthquake formed this area around 100 million years ago. It is also very high in biodiversity with 500 species of plants, 29 in the Red Data Book for the region .

On the coast of the Volga River

Once we got back to the park office where we were staying we were all a wet and cold. The amazing staff at the park gardens had a wonderful home made meal ready for us. All the food they served our whole stay was amazing all freshly made. They also make hand made souvenirs form natural materials found in the park, to help raise money. They were so kind and welcoming.

All of us after enjoying a wonderful dinner and lots of great conversation

On our second day we learned this area is not only an interesting ecological site it is also a historical site. German people were actually the first people to settle in this region in the 1700's. Before that it had been territory used by nomadic tribes.

Hill top full of Tulipa biebersteiniana

This is an old German home from the 1700's with a tree growing in the ruins. Legend says if you wish to return to this place tie a ribbon to the tree and you will some day. 

We were able to see

Festuca valeziaca

 Quercus robar

400 years old

Ephedera

Euonymus verrucosa

 Valeriana bulbiforia

Sedum steposium

Fritillarisa melagroides

Not to mention the Betula were gorgeous.

Sasha decided to climb a tree to get a better view

Then by far the most amazing site was the Sherbakovskiy Canyon.

Believe me when I say the pictures do not capture how beautiful this place was.

Today we drove back to Volgograd, I was sad to leave our hosts who were so unbelievably kind and great.

Back in Volgograd we were able to see the local children's garden the Volgograd Botanical Garden has partnered with. It is a preschool that has partnered with the ecology department and work on teaching children to appreciate and respect nature. Their programing is impressive including cultural heritage, rare and endangered species of plants, and gardening. I was absolutely blown away by how dedicated they are to teaching the next generation all about the importance of preserving nature. 

The children's garden

The children put on a performance for us with songs about the rare and endangered species of their region.

Planting Syringa with the kids as a sign of our friendship

It was really a great day and my Russian family here in Volgograd made it such a special day for me, being my birthday. I really can't describe how moved I was by all of their generosity and kindness.