Category: Природа

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Preserved Embassy Foundation

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

From December 8 to 11, 2025, the Nature Embassy Foundation held a comprehensive seminar, "Oil Spills: Impact, Consequence Management, and Psychological Preparation of Personnel," in Sochi and the Sirius Federal Territory. The event brought together 20 specialists from coastal nature reserves and national parks across the country, whose territories are most vulnerable to this man-made threat. The seminar was part of the new, large-scale "Living Black Sea" project, launched in November 2025 and implemented by the Nature Embassy Foundation with the support of JTI Russia.

The seminar program included lectures by leading scientists from the State Institute of Natural Sciences and the Institute of Oceanology of the Republic of Armenia, who have been studying this topic for many years, along with specialized practical workshops (for example, on providing veterinary care to injured animals), and training sessions to enhance the management and psychological competencies of protected area staff when working in emergency situations. Seminar topics included studying the impacts on ecosystems in specific areas, ensuring the safety of people and animals, monitoring and scientific research, and actions to restore ecosystems after emergency situations.

In particular, Sergey Zatsepa, a leading researcher at the State Oceanographic Institute, spoke about the use of modern technologies for scientific modeling and forecasting of oil spills, using the Kerch Strait and other waters as examples. Representatives of the Utrish Nature Reserve and the Anapa Peresyp Nature Park outlined key factors that must be considered when assessing the vulnerability and protecting specially protected natural areas. Vyacheslav Krylenko, a senior researcher at the Southern Branch of the Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, explained how to plan for emergency response based on an understanding of coastal ecosystems.

Tatyana Denisenko, Head of the Department of Virology and Microbiology at the K.I. Scriabin Moscow Veterinary Academy, dedicated her report to helping cetaceans and studying the impact of oil spills on the health of Black Sea dolphins. During a discussion moderated by Olga Pegova (Caucasian Nature Reserve), protected area staff discussed the risks to their natural areas and outlined elements of an oil spill response plan.

The program for the second and subsequent days was structured around the principle of "from on-site action to crisis management." The second day of the seminar began with a practical sea voyage on a vessel with the scientific director of the Delfa Dolphin Rescue Center. Participants were fortunate to encounter all three species of dolphins inhabiting the Black Sea. The focus then shifted to technology and rescue: experts presented the capabilities of satellite monitoring and their experience in oil spill response in the Arctic. A key section was a detailed algorithm for rescuing birds contaminated with oil products, from capture to setting up a rehabilitation center, presented by veterinarians from the Wildlife Hospital. The day concluded with a tour of the high-tech laboratories of the Sirius National Technical University, where participants were able to observe the development of a microbiological method for the disposal of oil products.

The third day was dedicated to developing "soft" skills, crucial during emergencies. Under the guidance of experienced mentors, participants explored external and internal communication strategies, volunteer management methods, and working with local communities. The culmination was a practical workshop, organized jointly with the press service of the Caucasus Nature Reserve, during which each participant recorded a mini-interview on a sensitive topic and received a professional on-camera analysis of their work.

The final day began with an inspiring excursion to the Caucasus National Park. Following this, professional psychologist Victoria Dmitrieva conducted a key training session on stress management, burnout prevention, and the ethics of interaction in emergency and crisis situations. The seminar concluded with a shared experience and a certificate presentation ceremony.

"The integrated approach used in designing this seminar not only allows us to provide specific instructions but also to develop a holistic understanding of the crisis and a course of action among protected area staff—from immediate shoreline interventions that preserve their own psychological resources to long-term measures that foster a trusting dialogue with the public. The Nature Embassy Foundation expresses its sincere gratitude to JTI Russia for supporting the project and the seminar, to all the experts and speakers for their invaluable knowledge and practical skills, to our colleagues from the Caucasus Nature Reserve for their assistance in organizing and conducting off-site events and workshops, and to the participants for their high level of engagement, willingness to engage in dialogue, and their inexhaustible motivation to protect Russia's nature. The tools we received and the professional connections we established are a significant contribution to improving the preparedness of the nature reserve system to respond quickly and effectively to environmental challenges," noted Polina Grigorieva, an expert at the Nature Embassy Foundation and director of the Living Black Sea project.

Sergey Zatsepa, Acting Head of the Marine Environment Modeling Laboratory and Leading Researcher at the N. N. Zubov State Oceanographic Institute, said: "The seminar, organized by the Zapovednoye Polustvo Foundation, allowed us to look at the Anapa oil spill from a new perspective. It was attended by biologists, geomorphologists, and representatives of specially protected natural areas whose mission is to preserve and study protected areas. I was incredibly impressed by their attention to the incident and their desire to do everything in their power to ensure that future incidents, should they arise, are dealt with as effectively as possible and with minimal impact on specially protected areas. The opinions of the seminar participants deserve to be summarized and disseminated so that an effective oil spill response system can be established in our country."

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.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Preserved Embassy Foundation

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Natalia Romanovna Danilina, President of the Zapovednoye Posledstvo (Reserve Embassy) Charitable Foundation and Director of the Zapovedniki Ecocenter, presented a report at the panel discussion "Biodiversity Conservation: Challenges and Solutions." The event was held as part of the "GREEN TRANSFORMATION: PARTNERSHIPS AND SOLUTIONS" conference on the day of the All-Russian "EcoPositive-2025" award ceremony.

The discussion, which brought together leading environmentalists, public figures, and government officials, focused on finding a balance between the interests of nature, the economy, and society. Participants sought answers to the central question: how to halt biodiversity loss in Russia while engaging all stakeholders; and the role of ecotourism, volunteerism, and other activities in this process. Invited to the discussion panel alongside Natalya Romanovna were Vsevolod Stepanitsky, Honored Ecologist of the Russian Federation and Co-Chair of the Expert Council on Nature Reserves; Mikhail Kreindlin, Coordinator of Protected Area Programs for the "Earth Touches Everyone" environmental project; and Georgy Arapov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Ecology, Natural Resources, and Environmental Protection. The discussion was moderated by Elena Sharoykina, Chair of the Commission on Ecology and Sustainable Development of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.

In her speech, Natalya Romanovna Danilina shifted the focus from traditional problems to the enormous potential of Russia's nature reserve system. She emphasized that specially protected natural areas (SPNAs) are not open-air museums, but a dynamically developing sector that makes a real contribution to the socioeconomic development of the regions.

"In fact, protected areas aren't just a magnet for the entertainment of millions of tourists, but an industry that contributes to the economy, social development, education, and the preservation of cultural heritage," Natalya Romanovna stated. "Nature, of course, comes first. But this nature is preserved when all the other 'trains' working to preserve it are added to this 'train.'"

At the request of the discussion participants, Natalia Romanovna focused on ecotourism as one of the central topics of her presentation. The expert provided a clear definition of it based on four principles: the preservation of natural environments, sustainable visitation, a mandatory educational component, and support for the regional economy.

The President of the Nature Conservation Embassy questioned the practice of using the number of visits as the main and only indicator of success.

"By including only this figure in the federal project as part of the national 'Environmental Well-Being' project, we've unleashed a genie that distorts the goals and objectives of protected areas. Now, protected areas report only on the number of people who have visited them. But what does the figure of 14 million visitors mean in terms of nature conservation or raising environmental awareness? There's nothing behind it. Is 140 million good? Or 500 million? We can't say because we don't have adequate metrics," Danilina noted.

In contrast, she proposed adding new criteria to the assessment of protected areas' performance: the preservation of natural complexes, which should be regularly assessed by experts; visitor satisfaction and benefits, measured through independent sociological research; and, finally, a real contribution to the regional economy, not just income from ticket sales.

The Ergaki Nature Park in Krasnoyarsk Krai was cited as a positive example, where careful calculations showed that every ruble donated to the park's budget brings almost two rubles in revenue to the region.

Natalya Romanovna also highlighted successful examples of partnerships between protected areas, businesses, and volunteers. She noted that today, companies are investing not only in infrastructure but also in intellectual, scientific, and educational projects.

Finally, Natalia Danilina supported the initiative to create a Federal Agency for the Development of Protected Areas and Biodiversity Conservation. She believes such a body is essential for the competent management of an industry that has already proven its multifaceted value.

"We've always been leaders in this area, and it's time we reclaim our leadership positions. Because our justifications are being well-received by our colleagues abroad," she noted, citing Uzbekistan's recent decision to create a similar committee reporting directly to the country's president.

The discussion concluded in the spirit of the EcoPositive Award—with constructive dialogue, concrete proposals, and an optimistic outlook on the future, where environmental conservation is the foundation for Russia's sustainable development.

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.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Preserved Embassy Foundation

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

I hereby voluntarily, of my own free will and in my interests give my consent to the Foundation "Zapovednoye Posolstvo", OGRN 1187700012829, INN/KPP 7728437737 / 772801001, located at: 117335, Moscow, Arkhitektora Vlasova St., Building No. 3, (hereinafter referred to as the Foundation), to the automated and non-automated processing of my personal data, including the use of Internet web analytics services in accordance with the following list:

Last name. First name. Middle name. Contact phone number. Email address. User ID stored in cookie. Source of entry to the Foundation's website. Search or advertising query information. Region.

for the purposes of compliance with the legislation of the Russian Federation; concluding and executing contracts; informing about new products and services; preparing individual offers; conducting advertising activities; providing Users with access to specialized information; processing applications on the Fund's Website; forming a personnel reserve; publishing on the website, in internal directories, and in the organization's address books; carrying out activities in accordance with the constituent documents; sending out informational notifications.

The Foundation has the right to process my personal data in the following ways: collection, recording, systematization, accumulation, storage, updating, modification, use, transfer (distribution, provision, access).

This consent comes into force from the moment I tick the consent box and is valid for the periods established by the current legislation of the Russian Federation.

In all other respects not provided for in this Agreement, the Foundation and Users are guided by the Personal Data Processing Policy (hereinafter referred to as the Policy) and applicable provisions of current Russian Federation law. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Policy, the terms of the Policy shall prevail.

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.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Preserved Embassy Foundation

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

I hereby voluntarily, of my own free will and in my interests give my consent to the Foundation "Zapovednoye Posolstvo", OGRN 1187700012829, INN/KPP 7728437737 / 772801001, located at: 117335, Moscow, Arkhitektora Vlasova St., Building No. 3, (hereinafter referred to as the Foundation), to the automated and non-automated processing of my personal data, including the use of Internet web analytics services in accordance with the following list:

Last name. First name. Middle name. Contact phone number. Email address. User ID stored in cookie. Source of entry to the Foundation's website. Search or advertising query information. Region.

for the purposes of compliance with the legislation of the Russian Federation; concluding and executing contracts; informing about new products and services; preparing individual offers; conducting advertising activities; providing Users with access to specialized information; processing applications on the Fund's Website; forming a personnel reserve; publishing on the website, in internal directories, and in the organization's address books; carrying out activities in accordance with the constituent documents; sending out informational notifications.

The Foundation has the right to process my personal data in the following ways: collection, recording, systematization, accumulation, storage, updating, modification, use, transfer (distribution, provision, access).

This consent comes into force from the moment I tick the consent box and is valid for the periods established by the current legislation of the Russian Federation.

In all other respects not provided for in this Agreement, the Foundation and Users are guided by the Personal Data Processing Policy (hereinafter referred to as the Policy) and applicable provisions of current Russian Federation law. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Policy, the terms of the Policy shall prevail.

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.