OPET Continues Mobilization Against Forest Fires in Çanakkale

OPET has brought its "Waste Collection Campaign" aimed at preventing forest fires to the Çanakkale Truva National Park region. The event was attended by OPET Board of Directors Founding Member Nurten Öztürk and numerous volunteers and local administrators.

OPET's "Respect for Nature Project" launched in 2021 has become a national movement this year under the slogan "Respect Nature, Take Ownership of Waste!" The "Waste Collection Campaign" started in Bodrum on 15 August 2025 made its second stop at Çanakkale Truva National Park on 29 August. The event was attended by OPET Board of Directors Founding Member Nurten Öztürk, OPET Board Member and Öztürk Group Board Chair Ufuk Öztürk and spouse Doruk Öztürk, OPET employees and volunteers, as well as Çanakkale Deputy Governor Dr. Polat Kara, Nature Conservation and National Parks Çanakkale Provincial Branch Director Ozan Hacıalioğlu, Troy Excavation Director Rüstem Arslan and regional mayors.

"Every piece of litter is a potential spark of fire"
Nurten Öztürk, expressing the deep sorrow over the fires experienced in Çanakkale, used the following words in her speech:

"Our hearts burn with every forest fire. Çanakkale is the place where the heart of our Respect for History Project beats. The fires that occurred on these lands have broken our hearts. This event organized under the scope of the 'Respect for Nature Project' shows once again that we must take ownership of nature and history. Every piece of litter thrown is not only environmental pollution, but also a potential spark of fire. We believe that these seemingly small steps will pave the way for major changes in the future."

Öztürk emphasized that this campaign is not merely a cleanup event, stating, "Patriotism is not about words, but about action. Not throwing our waste, collecting the waste we see, and planting trees are the most concrete ways of taking ownership of our country."

"OPET is always with us"
Speaking at the event, Nature Conservation and National Parks Çanakkale Provincial Branch Director Ozan Hacıalioğlu said, "OPET has added value to our National Park with its work in the Gelibolu Peninsula. Now it is with us through this important campaign. The slogan 'Take ownership of waste, take ownership of your homeland' is very precious. It did not surprise us that they are the pioneers of this initiative."

OPET Forests to begin in October
OPET will launch a comprehensive tree-planting activity in Izmir and Bursa in October 2025 to create OPET Forests. In summer 2026, it aims to clean dry grass and vegetation in high fire-risk areas, both protecting natural habitats and reducing fire risk.

A call to all of Turkey
OPET invites everyone to be sensitive to waste and participate in the campaign. Citizens can support this movement by participating in waste collection events or by sharing on social media with the #lifewasteownership hashtag.