Ecostation “Byshkin Kurhan”

In 2021, Kharkiv-based entrepreneur and eco-activist Borys Shestopalov, together with his wife and children, made a life-changing decision — to leave the city behind and build a new future close to nature.

In the heart of the Pervomaiskyi district, in the village of Verkhnii Byshkin, they created their new home. And in 2025, Byshkin Kurhan Ecostation came to life — a space where land, people, and science come together.

At Byshkin Kurhan Ecostation:

• They practice holistic grazing with sheep and horses
• Develop a permaculture project.
• Create a shared space for welcoming guests.
• Observe and study local biodiversity.
• Support internally displaced people in settling down and engaging in eco-activities.
• Organize tours, volunteer cleanups, tree-planting events, and youth programs.

From its very beginning, the Ecostation has had a clear mission: to promote sustainable land-use practices through research on holistic grazing and biodiversity, to help restore natural ecosystems, and to involve students in hands-on scientific exploration.

The Byshkin Kurhan team plans to:

• Study how managed grazing affects ecosystems, soils, and plants.
• Conduct systematic biodiversity monitoring.
• Develop educational programs, field research, and internships in cooperation with universities in Kharkiv and Zlatopol.
• Introduce sustainable farming practices.
• And promote science and environmental responsibility through eco-educational events.

Around this idea, Borys Shestopalov has brought together people from different backgrounds — all united by the same simple yet powerful values:

• Land — caring for natural resources and restoring degraded areas.
• People — building a community of like-minded individuals and engaging youth in science.
• Relationships — harmony between community, nature, and knowledge.

Byshkin Kurhan Ecostation is a place where a new culture of living in balance with the environment is taking shape. Here, you can learn, share knowledge, gain practical experience, connect with nature — and become part of an eco-conscious community