Organized by Yıldız Holding and Turkish Marine Environment Protection Association (TURMEPA) to reward innovative projects developed to leave a legacy of healthier natural resources to future generations, Sabri Ülker Environment Award has been granted to ecording’s project “ecoDrone” this year. Releasing seed balls to the ground by using unmanned aerial vehicles, “ecoDrone” enables 54 times faster forestation in remote areas.

Organized by Yıldız Holding and TURMEPA, the 4th “Sabri Ülker Environment Award” has been granted to “ecoDrone Project,” which is developed to release seed balls from unmanned aerial vehicles. Held with the motto “Tomorrow Comes with You” and the main theme “Environment and People,” the contest received 172 applications. The projects were evaluated by a selection committee and a jury assigned jointly by Yıldız Holding and TURMEPA, under the categories of Use of Water and Natural Resources, Carbon and Energy Management, Waste Management, Protection of Biodiversity, and Climate Change.

Ms. Altınsoy: “It will be one of the most efficient methods to combat global warming”

Remarking that the winner of the contest, ecoDrone Project is a significant achievement in the struggle against global warming on behalf of our country, Yıldız Holding Group Director of Corporate Communications Ms. Tuğçe Altınsoy said: “Efforts towards enhancing forest assets are of critical importance to reduce the impact of climate change on our planet. According to a study conducted for the report of United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2019, if at least a trillion trees are planted, 830 billion tons of carbon dioxide can be absorbed in the upcoming years. Therefore, forestation efforts come forward as one of the least costly and most natural solutions for the struggle against climate change. Within this framework, I believe that the ecoDrone project will assume a very important function in the efforts against global warming in the years ahead. I would like to congratulate all applicants for their valuable projects and ecoDrone in particular.”

Ms. Öztürk: “ecoDrone project is a promising initiative for the future of our country”

TURMEPA General Manager Semiha Öztürk said: “When we set out in 2013 to come up with valuable ideas to leave as a legacy to our country’s future, the words of late Sabri Ülker, the founder of Yıldız Holding, guided us: ‘Protecting our lands, waters, and environment means protecting our homeland.’ Built on this deep-rooted legacy, our award has enabled many benefits year after year. And we are happy to have achieved this goal once again this year. And it makes us even happier to have managed this in such a challenging year as 2020. In evaluating the applications, we placed particular importance on choosing projects that will raise social awareness and contribute to the development of many similar projects in the future. We had a really hard time in evaluating approximately 200 projects from all over Turkey. We went through them with a fine-tooth comb. I believe that the winning ecoDrone project is a promising initiative for the future of our country. I would like to thank everyone for their contribution.”

ecoDrone delivers cost advantages in forestation efforts

Expected to make significant contributions to forestation efforts which are of critical importance in the struggle against global climate change, ecoDrone can release seed balls to remote areas that are in need of forestation, using unmanned aerial vehicles. This way, 6 thousand seed balls can be planted in only 10 minutes. The most important advantage of the project is that it is 12 times cheaper than conventional forestation methods.
Certain types of seeds that are developed through R&D and that can easily grow on soil are coated with clay, minerals, powder fertilizers, and forest soil to make the seed balls. Thus, the most favorable conditions for the germination of seeds are provided at low costs, by protecting them from the impact of the wind, cold weather, animals, and excessive heat. ecording, the owner of the ecoDrone project, conducts its R&D efforts with the support of the General Directorate of Forestry and Artvin Çoruh University.

The fully autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles, which are also developed by ecording, can carry considerable loads and plant large amounts of seed balls.

The seed balls to be used in the project are produced in collaboration with local women who live near the planting areas. This practice provides support to the struggle against social and economic gender inequality as an additional benefit.