The Daily News

Two local conservationists recently visited Moldova from July 7-14 as part of the Sister Rivers Project. Wahpeton Parks and Recreation Director Wayne Beyer made his first trip to the country and Chahinkapa Zoo Director Kathy Diekman took her second trip.

In May, several Moldovan scientists visited Wahpeton for a week to learn about the Red River, tour the area and participate in our River Festival at Chahinkapa Zoo.

It was the turn, now, for Beyer and Diekman, Chuck Fritz of the International Water Institute, and two others from program partners the River Keepers in Fargo, to visit the town of Bender, Moldova. They learned about the Dneister River, which is larger than the Missouri River, and attended their River Festival.

Wayne Beyer, Wahpeton Parks and Rec director, recently visited Moldova with Chahinkapa Zoo director Kathy Diekman. Here, village men gather for pinochle at the park, like an American coffee clutch. photo submitted Advertisement

"It was a terrific experience," said Beyer, speaking at the regular meeting of the Richland County Historical Society Monday afternoon.

Moldova is a small nation south of Ukraine, formerly belonging to the Soviet Union. The Dneister River borders it and the nation of Transnistria in the same way the Red River demarcates the Twin Towns. And like North Dakota, Moldova is heavily agricultural.

"Much of it looks like North Dakota," said Beyer. "Very ag-dependent country."

The team participated in and spoke at the River Festival, which was attended by more than 50 enthusiastic students, said Beyer.

"The kids made you feel real good," he said. "They gave (us) a big round of applause."

Beyer said that while there he felt no anti-U.S. sentiment. In fact, he shared that there was nothing but enthusiasm for the team's presence there.

"They were all very kind to us," said Beyer, adding, "I always felt safe."

Among the many places the team visited, they went to the capital city of Chisnau, to museums, the zoo, an estuary of the Black Sea and to Russian Orthodox monasteries. Beyer described the centuries-old architecture there as "rich" and "ornate."

The team stayed at a four-star hotel in Bender, and enjoyed modern facilities, warm showers and complimentary breakfasts. They did not, though, have air conditioning. Every morning, they awoke to the sounds of the livestock, namely chickens, said Beyer.

The weather in Bender was similar to ours, experiencing seasonal heat. The town was adorned with many crosses and statues of Jesus Christ. Also prevalent were many large monuments to World War II, which is regarded there with high respect and reverence.

Beyer explained how the animosities in the 80s between the two nations, one anti-Soviet (Moldova) and one pro-Soviet (Transnistria) led to a civil war whose scars can be seen on their buildings to this day.

The team was also privileged to see many talented street performers, such as guitar players, dancers, baton twirlers and gymnasts.

"They're very proud of their culture," said Beyer. "We could learn a lot from them."

While abroad, the team ate well. Beyer noted that hard liquor was served with every meal, which is not surprising as Moldova is known as “the wine capital of the world.”

Many of the photographs Beyer shared related to his profession and thus focused on the local landscaping.

"I like to show that we're all challenged with maintenance and items like that," he said. He further commented that they had done " a great job with forestry" there.

Beyer also observed that because of Soviet-era restrictions against wildlife hunting there were no deer or game birds.

"We saw virtually no animals whatsoever," he said.

He added that someone like him, with his position, would be irrelevant there, as Moldovans had little time for recreation and their grounds were manicured by goats, noting how they didn't have lawns. There were also no swimming pools or golf courses.

"Life there is so, so simple," Beyer said.

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