Askania-Nova. The oldest biosphere reserve in Ukraine

Biosphere Reserve Askania-Nova was created in the second part of the 19th century by Friedrich Falz-Fein (1863-1920), a descendant of German colonists who settled the southern Ukrainian steppes in Kherson region. The reserve is the home of over 500 species of various plants and over 3000 wild animals that live here in conditions as close as possible to wild nature. The reserve was first open for tourists in the Falz-Fein’s times (with 2-5 thousand visits in 1909-1910, including those from abroad), while up to 140 thousand visitors enjoyed its unique beauty annually until the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the temporary occupation of Kherson region by Russian Forces.

On March 25, 2023, the press service of Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve stated that the invading authorities took total control of the reserve in Kherson region.

We have collected the main facts about Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve named after Friedrich Falz-Fein.