More than 160 transplant stock have been planted today on the grounds of Gagarin international airport (part of the Airports of Regions holding), as part of the nationwide “Live, Forest!” thrust. Regional legislators from Saratov Duma, members of the Saratov Region’s cabinet, representatives of the regional forestry, non-government environmental initiatives, students and schoolchildren have participated in the airport site landscaping effort. Young linden, rowan, birch and poplar trees were planted out on a 1.5-hectare site.
Overall more than 400 large-size conifers and deciduous trees as well as over 3,000  shrubs were planted out in the course of Gagarin airport construction and landscaping works in front of the passenger terminal and along the driveways. The tree, shrub and perennial plant stock was selected with regard for climatic conditions, soil specifics and immunity to winds. Among them are linden, oak, willow and pine species.
In the course of conceptual development and implementation of the landscaping project for Gagarin airport buildings a special emphasis was placed on using Saratov Region’s endemic plant species. All trees and shrubs planted are unpretentious and tolerant to local weather conditions.
We should remind that it was the pioneer woman astronaut and Hero of the Soviet Union Valentina Tereshkova who planted the first tree on the square near the passenger terminal. Besides the Astronaut Alley, an 18-meter stele with a flickering aerodynamic façade, along with a sphere epitomizing the space capsule used by Yuri Gagarin to land in Saratov Region after his legendary flight, is also set up in the square near Gagarin airport.