A new local nature reserve named “Yosypivka” will soon be established in the territory of the Sokal City Council in Sheptytskyi District. The initiative was approved by the Department of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Lviv Regional Military Administration following a request from the NGO “Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group.”
The protected area will cover 38.6 hectares and will be located near the hamlet of Yosypivka, within Block 21 of the Sokal Forestry (Radekhiv Forestry Department, a branch of the Carpathian Forest Office of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine”). The land designated for the reserve is part of the state forest fund.
What makes this reserve unique is its oak groves — it is the first oak-based nature reserve to be created in the Lviv region since Ukraine gained independence. The last oak reserve in the area was established back in 1984.
The territory lies on the picturesque Volyn Upland, a region known for its rich biodiversity and scenic landscapes. The creation of the Yosypivka reserve is a vital step in preserving the natural heritage of the Sokal community, contributing to the expansion of protected areas in Lviv Oblast and ensuring the conservation of local ecosystems for future generations.