Civil Initiative in Maribor Calls Protest to Defend Trees

A civil initiative in Maribor is set to hold a protest on Tuesday against the removal of city trees, demanding a more responsible and transparent approach to managing urban greenery. The demonstration, organized by the 'Trubarjev zadnji kostanj' (Trubar's Last Chestnut) initiative, will take place at the entrance to Mestni Park on Trubarjeva Street.

The immediate catalyst for the protest is the recent felling of seven wild chestnut trees on Trubarjeva Street. This action has reignited public debate about the planning of interventions in urban green spaces, the professional basis for such decisions, and the extent of public involvement in choices that shape the city's appearance and livability. The initiative emphasizes that trees are more than just infrastructure; they are integral to shared spaces, memories, and daily life, providing shade, lowering urban temperatures, improving air quality, and mitigating climate change impacts.

This is not the first controversy over tree removal in Maribor, with past disputes on Cesta zmage serving as a precedent. Protesters are questioning who decides on tree removal, the scientific grounds for these decisions, and how the public is informed. They are calling for systemic protection of urban greenery, echoing a broader movement that last year gathered over 600 signatures for state-level tree protection regulations. The goal is to safeguard trees, their habitats, and ecosystems from neglect, unprofessional interventions, and unjustified felling.

Supporters of systemic tree protection advocate for professional, coordinated, and transparent management throughout urban planning and construction phases. They highlight the need for state-level involvement, legislation, and long-term planning to address local disputes. A draft ordinance has been proposed by the Party of Youth – Green Europe, aiming to prevent arbitrary tree removals. Such actions would only be permissible based on a written, independent arboricultural assessment confirming a tree is irreparably diseased, dead, physiologically weakened, or poses an immediate danger.

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Drevesa niso zgolj del mestne infrastrukture. So del našega skupnega prostora, spomina in vsakdana.