On May 1st, International Workers’ Day, Croatians traditionally love to organize outdoor gatherings. It’s a kind of unofficial start to the outdoor social season that draws in both young and old. For many, the forest becomes the go-to destination for the occasion and that’s hardly surprising. Spending time in the woods offers numerous benefits for the human body, from boosting the immune, cardiovascular, and cognitive systems to relieving stress, reigniting inspiration, and improving sleep.
Yet, as we enjoy the fresh air in the forest’s embrace, few of us will pause to take a closer look – toward our cities and towns, where nature is increasingly being pushed aside.
In the warming and drying Mediterranean climate, where wildfires are becoming more frequent, forest restoration is no longer optional, it’s a necessity. Many plant species have developed remarkable adaptations: seeds that only germinate after a fire, shrubs that regenerate from roots, and ecosystems that slowly recover. And while helping nature comes naturally to us, we often hear about large-scale reforestation efforts. But did you know that human intervention isn’t always helpful?
Monocultures and poorly planned planting can disrupt natural processes, reduce biodiversity, and increase the risk of future fires. In fact, natural succession often leads to more diverse and resilient ecosystems than mass tree planting.
Reforestation often creates parks, not forests
Native plant species – those adapted to local conditions – are far more effective in supporting biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance. On the other hand, planting unsuitable species or monocultures can degrade the soil, increase fire risk, and destabilize entire ecosystems. Particularly sensitive areas, such as those within the Natura 2000 network, require carefully planned measures. In these habitats (often meadows or rocky grasslands crucial for many species) mass reforestation can do more harm than good.
It’s important to understand that when we plant trees, we’re not truly creating a forest, we’re making a park. When we intervene in burned areas by choosing where and how trees grow, we determine the shape of future woodlands instead of letting nature dictate optimal recovery. Even with the best intentions, this kind of intervention often disrupts natural processes, leading to artificial ecosystems that fail to support native species or soil stability.
This seemingly positive practice needs to be taken far more seriously. We must stop approaching it impulsively, without planning or expert guidance, especially since, according to the UN, forests cover nearly a third of the Earth’s land area and protect most of its terrestrial biodiversity. We cannot afford to lose that due to ignorance, which, as our long-term work has shown, is often the main cause of irresponsible human behavior toward nature.
Smarter urban planning is essential
Climate change is only making things more complicated. Longer droughts, more frequent fires, and changes in soil composition demand adaptive restoration strategies. Instead of quick tree-planting actions, resources should be redirected toward preventive measures: sustainable forest management, creating green corridors, protecting grasslands, and restoring wetlands.
Still, the real challenge is not only to preserve wild forests but to revitalize urban environments. Every day, we witness the expansion of concrete and asphalt while yards and green spaces are sacrificed for parking lots and paved zones. The culture of planting trees in urban areas has almost disappeared. In losing trees, we’re not just losing beauty, we’re losing vital allies in the fight against climate change.
Not only is urban tree planting rare, but trees are increasingly being removed to make space for “just one more building” or “just one more parking spot.” In 2024, Sunce’s Green Phone – a free environmental hotline for citizens to report environmental concerns – received five reports related to tree felling. In just the first four months of 2025, that number had already risen to seven. Clearly, people are becoming more aware of the importance of urban greenery.
Most of these reports concern tree removal on public land, typically for new construction. These are often cases of illegal development, including the removal of trees protected by the General Urban Plan (GUP). A recent and widely discussed incident involved the cutting down of six old trees on Gundulićeva Street in Split – trees protected under the GUP – so that water pipes could be laid. The event highlighted the fact that the Partnership Council for the development and implementation of the “City of Split Development Strategy by 2030”, established in 2020, still hasn’t begun monitoring implementation of the Strategy. Perhaps this devastation could have been avoided if it had.
It’s time to rethink our approach
Trees in cities are not a luxury, they are the foundation of a healthy and sustainable urban life. Their canopies provide shade and reduce the urban heat island effect. They purify the air, absorb excess rainwater, and reduce noise pollution. Tree roots stabilize the soil, prevent erosion, and offer habitats for many animal species. Green spaces improve mental health, foster social connection, and make neighborhoods more livable.
Cities like Split, where high summer temperatures already pose health risks and are becoming increasingly extreme, must rethink their urban planning strategies. Green corridors, parks, and tree-lined streets cannot remain mere decoration – they must become core infrastructure. Every new building and street should include space for trees. Every unused courtyard could be transformed into a vital green oasis.
Nature has an incredible ability to regenerate, but its capacity is not unlimited. We cannot rely solely on its resilience; we must actively support it, especially in the places where it’s been most suppressed.
International Workers’ Day isn’t just a time to enjoy the beauty of the forest – it’s a call to change how we think. A call to bring nature back where we need it most: into the hearts of our cities, neighborhoods, and homes. A sustainable future is unthinkable without the trees that cool us, purify our air, protect us, and remind us that we are not separate from nature – on the contrary, we are an inseparable part of it.