Velykyi Anadol Forest and Forest Museum, Hrafske
A man-made forest in the steppe that Viktor Graff began planting in 1843; now a 2,543-hectare reserve.
The Velykyi Anadol Forest was begun in 1843 in the treeless steppe near Volnovakha, where the young forester Viktor Graff was sent (Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine; Volnovakha.City). In 23 years Graff grew 157 hectares of forest, and dry winds nearly destroyed the plantings four times (Volnovakha.City). In 1850 a forestry school opened here with Graff as its first director; in 1910 it was named after him (zabytki.in.ua). The woodland covers 2,543 hectares, has been protected since 1968 and since 1974 has been a forest reserve of national importance; at first ash, maples, elm and acacia were planted, now common oak prevails (Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine). The forest museum opened in 1991 at 7 Viktora Graffa Street (Discover.ua; zabytki.in.ua). In 2024 the Velykyi Anadol forestry enterprise was named among the forestries in the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast contaminated with explosive objects (Vilne Radio).
Hrafske is in the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast — no access.