The Rector of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN), Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, attended the event titled “A Breath for the Future, Plant a Sapling”, organized this year under the theme “Green Homeland Mobilization” as part of the November 11 National Afforestation Day. During the program held in the Erenköy area of Zonguldak’s Çaycuma district, 26,000 saplings were planted.
Zonguldak Governor Osman Hacıbektaşoğlu and his wife, Günay Hacıbektaşoğlu, BEUN Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, city dignitaries, political party representatives, university academic and administrative personnel, nongovernmental organizations, teachers, students, and citizens attended the planting event.
Reminding that November 11 National Afforestation Day was declared by the President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in 2019, Zonguldak Provincial Director of Forestry Hasan Keskin stated in his opening speech that within the scope of the “Green Homeland Mobilization”, 760000 saplings have been planted across Zonguldak since 2020, and 98% of these saplings have been successfully integrated into the forest. He also noted, “This year, thousands of saplings we will plant altogether will bring fresh air to humanity and our nation. Today, we are planting a total of 26,000 saplings simultaneously across 19 different locations — 5 in Bartın, 5 in Karabük, and 9 in Zonguldak — covering an area of 171 decares, leaving invaluable gifts for future generations.”
Speaking on the significance of the day, Zonguldak Governor Osman Hacıbektaşoğlu said: “I am very pleased to be here today, united with you all in such a meaningful gathering that will bring breath to the future of our country. The ‘Green Homeland Mobilization,’ initiated in 2019 under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is not merely an afforestation campaign — it is an expression of our love and devotion to greenery, soil, and the future.”
Rector Özölçer: “Every Sapling Is the Most Beautiful Legacy We Leave to Future Generations”
Commenting on the meaning and significance of National Afforestation Day, BEUN Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer emphasized the day’s importance in fostering environmental awareness and said:
“Today, we are not only planting saplings; we are planting hope for the future, breathing life into nature, and leaving a green legacy for the next generations. This meaningful mobilization, initiated under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, not only enhances our country’s green assets but also strengthens environmental consciousness, love of nature, and awareness of sustainable living within our society. At Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, we continue to fulfill our responsibility for a greener world through our eco-friendly projects, afforestation, and zero-waste practices across our campuses, energy efficiency initiatives, and our vision of a nature-compatible campus. Every sapling planted today is both a symbol of our commitment to nature and our responsibility toward future generations.
In this regard, I would like to express my gratitude to our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has led such a meaningful initiative, and to our Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, the General Directorate of Forestry, and our Governor Osman Hacıbektaşoğlu for their dedicated efforts. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to all volunteers, teachers, students, and citizens who contributed to bringing these saplings — the breath of our green homeland’s future — to life.”
The event concluded with the participants planting saplings and taking commemorative photos under the slogan “Our Passion is the Green Homeland.”
