Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Preserved Embassy Foundation
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The Eduard Bendersky Charitable Foundation and the Zapovednoye Posledstvo Foundation held a roundtable discussion on "Engaging Children and Youth in Natural Science and Conservation Activities in the Cooperation Area of Meshchera National Park and the Village of Urshelsky." This important event marked the launch of our joint comprehensive project to develop the cooperation area between Meshchera National Park and the village of Urshelsky.
Representatives of volunteer organizations, the village administration, the school, the community center, youth policy specialists, activists from the "Movement of the First," and, of course, national park staff gathered at the Bird Museum, located at the entrance to Urshelsky. The event was preceded by a quiz for schoolchildren, "Meshchera Nature Reserve."
The main goal of the roundtable was to introduce the project team and identify common ground. Participants discussed the natural and cultural potential of the area, as well as mechanisms for involving youth and local residents in development projects.
The meeting was opened by Elena Knizhnikova, Chair of the Friends of Protected Islands Movement (FPI), and Ksenia Gasparyan, Development Director of the Nature Conservation Embassy Foundation. In their presentations, they outlined the goals of the long-term project to create a cooperation area and shared their experience of engaging teenagers, local residents, and businesses in nature conservation, using examples from other projects implemented by the Nature Conservation Embassy throughout Russia over its thirty years of work.
Olesya Filippova, head of the municipal district's youth policy department, supported the development of new tourist routes and nature trails and confirmed her willingness to participate in the project. The head of the school's "Heritage" history and local history museum discussed the possibility of including it in the tourist routes. Zoya Drozdova, a representative of the Meshchera National Park, spoke about the environmental education events and celebrations the park already organizes.
Sergey Vasenev, Eduard Bendersky's press secretary, invited everyone to participate in the work of collecting, organizing, and presenting information about Urshelsky, which is important for attracting tourists. He also announced trail run "Meshchera Fest"The event is scheduled for June 7, 2026, with the start and finish in Urshelsky. The program includes an environmental event, a fair, a Nordic walking workshop, a sauna, and local cuisine. This is just the first event under the "Meshchera Fest" umbrella brand; new activities are being developed, which will eventually make Urshelsky a regional hub for event and sports tourism.
The first meeting served as the starting point for the formation of a project team, whose goal is to develop the cooperation area between the national park and the village of Urshelsky. With the support and partnership of the Eduard Bendersky Foundation, the "Zapovednoye Posledstvo" Foundation launched a comprehensive project to develop the cooperation area between Meshchera National Park and the village of Urshelsky. The first phase of the project will include the following:
– master plan for tourism development;
– a roadmap for working with children and youth to engage them in supporting the national park through environmental volunteering and other activities, as well as for their career guidance in natural sciences and tourism.
Work is already underway within the framework of this same comprehensive project to develop a concept for renovating the Bird Museum and the surrounding area in the village of Urshelsky.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.