Category: Сохранение

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Source: Preserved Embassy Foundation

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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

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Natalya Romanovna Danilina, President of the Nature Conservation Embassy Foundation and Director of the Nature Reserves Ecocenter, spoke at the general meeting of the Interregional Public Organization "Expert Council on Nature Conservation." The meeting, held at the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation, focused on the Council's work for 2025, the state of nature conservation in Russia, and the challenges facing the professional expert community in territorial nature conservation.

Over the course of the year, the Expert Council worked on legal regulation of nature reserves, the conservation of biological and landscape diversity, the protection of protected areas, and the preparation of proposals on strategic issues related to the conservation and development of protected areas. Natalya Romanovna Danilina also played an active role in the organization's work: she has been a member of the Expert Council since its inception and is a member of the Council's Bureau.

"In the three years since our Expert Council's existence, it has grown into a powerful and far-reaching force. And I understand that many progressive things are being accomplished with its help, especially legal ones. A tremendous amount of work is being done, which simply inspires admiration and pride in our involvement," said Natalya Romanovna.

The General Meeting was addressed by Elena Sharoykina, Chair of the Commission on Ecology and Sustainable Development of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation; Viktor Danilov-Danilyan, Co-Chair of the Expert Council on Nature Reserves, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Scientific Director of the Institute of Water Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Vsevolod Stepanitsky, Co-Chair of the Expert Council on Nature Reserves and Honored Ecologist of the Russian Federation; and other Council members.

Natalya Romanovna Danilina devoted her speech to proposals for expanding and developing the Expert Council's activities in the coming year. She drew her colleagues' attention to a crucial issue: insufficient continuity is being cultivated in modern Russian nature conservation, with young professionals entering the field without fully understanding its specifics or absorbing its values.

"A journalist recently objected to me in a conversation: young people are joining chemical manufacturing, the nuclear industry, and elsewhere, and it doesn't matter that they have no connection to the old guard. Why is this important in nature conservation? Because, I told him, and I want to repeat this answer now, nature conservation isn't a technocratic thing that can work well simply by writing down a plan or establishing strict rules. Empathy for conservation, an understanding of the importance of protected areas, and deep-seated values that are ingrained in a person's soul play a crucial role. We had this, and it was literally lost in recent decades. Perhaps because this continuity is lacking, we see an insufficient number of young employees, a high turnover rate, and management problems…," the expert emphasized.

According to Natalya Romanovna, this attitude toward nature isn't unique to Russia. The need for this empathy and deep engagement in conservation has been recognized in many countries around the world. And where this is true, the world's strongest protected area systems are established.

Natalya Romanovna Danilina recalled, in particular, her participation in the congress of young specialists of the Protected Area "Reserved People" in Kamchatka, which was held for the first time in March 2025.

"We've seen a lot of passionate conservationists there, people who are able and willing to work, and they enjoy it all, but most of them are also disconnected from their roots and haven't inherited the knowledge and values of previous generations of conservationists. Therefore, I believe that reviving this kind of continuity is crucial. This, I believe, could be one aspect of the mission of the Expert Council on Conservation. I propose that we actively pursue this next year," she said.

Furthermore, the President of the Nature Conservation Embassy Foundation drew attention to the declining resource base and the role of science in protected areas. She called for the creation of a working group within the Council that would lobby for the interests of nature conservation science and assist scientists working in protected areas.

"The tools that existed before, the powerful tools that existed in Soviet times—the Commission for Scientific Research of Nature Reserves at the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Methodological Commission for Science at Glavokhota—supported science in protected areas and helped it develop. But today, there are no comparable structures. I propose that the Expert Council for Nature Reserve Management try to strengthen this area somehow," Natalya Romanovna added.

During other presentations, meeting participants examined the most pressing current challenges in the field of nature conservation, including the growing pressure on protected areas through legislative changes, economic development, and management decisions that contradict their mission, and discussed the position of the professional expert community regarding these challenges.

The speakers emphasized that the Expert Council on Nature Reserves plans to continue responding to threats to protected areas of all levels and categories. The Council provides expert, methodological, and advisory support to government and public bodies advocating for the protection of natural heritage, biological, and landscape diversity, monitors and conducts expert assessments of draft regulations affecting nature reserves, and facilitates the legal and methodological support for monitoring and oversight activities in federal and regional protected areas.

Today, the Expert Council consists of 141 members, including 4 academicians and 11 corresponding members of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 27 professors, 42 doctors of science, 55 candidates of science, 20 honored ecologists of the Russian Federation, 3 honored scientists of the Russian Federation, 1 honored geographer of the Russian Federation, and 13 laureates of prestigious Russian and international prizes and awards in the field of environmental protection.

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.

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Source: Preserved Embassy Foundation

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On January 20, 2026, the grand opening of the visitor center took place at Smolenskoye Poozerie National Park. Its launch marked the final stage of a three-year comprehensive program to develop Smolenskoye Poozerie National Park, implemented by JTI Russia and the Nature Conservation Embassy Foundation.

In preparing the national park development project, the Zapovednoye Poloslovo Foundation conducted a sociological study, which formed the basis of a comprehensive tourism development strategy for Smolenskoye Poozerie. Over the three years of the joint program between JTI Russia and the Zapovednoye Poloslovo Foundation, the "Poozerie Without Barriers" eco-trail was established in the national park, one of the few routes in Russia for people with limited mobility. With the participation of volunteers, 117,500 Scots pine seedlings and 94,500 Norway spruce seedlings were planted on 60 hectares of the park over the three years of the project. Over the course of the three years, the bison population increased from 80 to 140 individuals. A new demonstration enclosure, "Zubrinets," was also built in the park, where these endangered animals are exhibited year-round.

The visitor center occupies 420 square meters and consists of several modules. It includes a guest area, a conference room for 100 people, offices for park staff, and a large-scale exhibition dedicated to the nature and history of the national park.

"The visitor center is the crown jewel of the national park development project. This space will become a powerful focal point for park visitors and local residents. This is where tourists will first encounter the national park, where they will receive comprehensive information about its unique nature, routes and recreational opportunities, and the scientific and environmental work being carried out in the park," explains Natalia Danilina, President of the Zapovednoye Polostel'stvo Foundation.

"For JTI Russia, supporting Smolenskoye Poozerie National Park is our first experience with a comprehensive, long-term program to support a protected area. As the project developed, we witnessed the park's transformation and improvement. The opening of the visitor center will make this unique region even more attractive to tourists and volunteers from across the country," comments Evgeny Nikolsky, CEO of JTI Russia.

The establishment of a center of this caliber will not only provide a powerful boost to tourism in the national park but also expand opportunities for economic and social development throughout the Smolensk region. It will host events to preserve historical and cultural heritage, support social entrepreneurship, and implement regional initiatives.

"The Smolenskoye Poozerie National Park, a unique natural treasure in our region, has long been a magnet for numerous tourists, active and family vacation enthusiasts, naturalists, and explorers. Therefore, creating modern, comfortable infrastructure for visitors is one of the goals of the park's dynamic development as a tourism and recreation cluster. I am pleased that reputable businesses and public organizations are participating in this work alongside the residents of Smolensk, helping to unlock the rich potential of the protected areas of the Smolensk region," emphasized Vasily Anokhin, Governor of the Smolensk Region.

With the opening of the visitor center in Przhevalskoye, a new permanent thematic exhibition dedicated to the natural, historical, and cultural treasures of Smolenskoye Poozerie will open. The story of the national park's 35 lakes is presented in the central part of the exhibition within a thematic installation. Another highlight of the exhibition is an artistic installation of a glacier, simulating the scale and thickness of the ice cap. The museum's creative concept is built around the central installation, "Drops," which simulates water in its various states. Chains of multifaceted "drops," a transparent bottom beneath one's feet, and the contours of mirror-like lakes—this creative image of water, which has shaped the modern natural landscape of Smolenskoye Poozerie and continues to influence life in this area. Entering this installation, one experiences new sensations and begins to see new meaning in the national park's heritage through its fragility and beauty.

The exhibition is designed like a guidebook. Interactive exhibits are arranged around the perimeter of the hall, explaining the natural and cultural and historical landmarks of the national park. The historical narrative is divided into themes: Neolithic sites, the Varangian-Greek route, the Great Patriotic War, and traditional land management. Interactive "calling cards" and artifact collections explain the nature of the Smolensk Lake District—the climate, forests, animals, and plants. A separate section of the exhibition is dedicated to the bison, the master of the Smolensk forest.

Temporary exhibitions of local artists are already planned for the visitor center next year, and negotiations are underway with leading museums across the country to organize an exhibition of archaeological finds from the Northwestern Expedition. The new visitor center will host events commemorating the national park's 35th anniversary in 2027. The visitor center will host conservation festivals, such as the traditional Stork Festival, and folk festivals such as Maslenitsa and Christmas. The Smolenskoye Poozerie visitor center will also host participants of the traditional conference in memory of N.M. Przhevalsky.

"The dream became a reality when a joint project with the Zapovednoye Posledstvo (Reserve Embassy) Charitable Educational Foundation was launched. A huge thank you to Natalia Romanovna Danilina, the foundation's President, for initiating the Zapovednoye Posledstvo (Reserve Embassy), with the support of JTI Russia, to implement a comprehensive development project for the Smolenskoye Poozerie territory. The project includes infrastructure development, reforestation, the creation of a navigation system, bison population support, and the development of a volunteer movement. Park staff, local residents, and the Smolensk Region Government are now aware of another significant outcome of this joint project: a new visitor center, outstanding in size and facilities," noted Alexander Kochergin, Director of the Smolenskoye Poozerie National Park.

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

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The Zapovednoye Posolstvo (Reserve Embassy) Charitable Educational Foundation and the Zapovedniki Ecocenter training center, together with MTS, presented an online training course, "Integrated Fire Prevention and Elimination Methods for Protected Area Staff." The program was developed to train specialists in strengthening the fire protection of Russia's unique natural areas. The course, for specialists and staff of environmental NGOs, is available on platform "Reserve Academy" and is timed to coincide with the celebration of the 109th anniversary of the Russian nature reserve system.

The published course, "Integrated Methods of Fire Prevention and Elimination for Protected Area Staff," is taught by Grigory Kuksin, PhD in agricultural sciences and lecturer in the Department of Forest Conservation, Protection, and Regeneration at the All-Russian Institute for Advanced Training in Forestry Specialists. He is one of the country's most respected experts and practitioners, with 27 years of experience in fire suppression in natural areas from the Far East to the Caucasus. In October 2025, the Zapovednoye Posolstvo Foundation and MTS organized a seminar with Grigory Kuksin in one of the most challenging areas for fires—Buzuluksky Bor National Park in the Orenburg Region. Participants monitored and developed effective fire suppression tactics, and also learned analytical methods to understand why fire safety regulations are violated and whether the cause and spread of fires is due to the negligence of tourists or the burning of dry grass.

The findings formed the basis of a video course developed by the Zapovednoye Posolstvo Foundation and MTS. It contains useful information on analyzing fire causes and fire suppression failures, the systematic work of an entire institution, and approaches to fire prevention, which participants in the Orenburg Region seminar received in person. The training consists of four modules, covering topics on a comprehensive approach to fire prevention, the specifics of developing and training staff in protected areas, and the role of fire in the formation of natural systems.

The course "Integrated Fire Prevention and Response Methods for Protected Area Staff" is designed for government inspectors, specialists from security and science departments, protected area managers, volunteer fire brigades, and local residents. Participants will not only receive a certificate but also a set of ready-made solutions for implementation in their areas. You can register for the course here. follow the link on the platform "Reserve Academy".

"The resulting course is crucial for protected areas. The statistics are alarming: according to the Federal Forestry Agency and the Center for Landscape Fire Prevention, over 90% of fires are caused by humans, and fires affect dozens of nature reserves and national parks every year. These flames destroy rare species of flora and fauna, which take decades to recover, and lead to soil erosion and disruption of water systems," notes Ksenia Gasparyan, Development Director of the Nature Conservation Embassy Foundation.

"The team of authors has systematized best practices for firefighting in protected areas and packaged them in a convenient digital format. This course is not just theory, but a step-by-step guide for those who care about nature conservation on a daily basis. For MTS, protecting green spaces is an important component of its ESG strategy. Our goal is not just to integrate carbon management principles into our operations but also to implement measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," says Yuri Savelyev, Vice President for Sustainable Development at MTS PJSC.

As Evgeny Pisarevsky, Head of the Forest Fire Protection Department at the Federal Forestry Agency, reported at the end of 2025, signs of global climate change are becoming clearly visible—one of the reasons for the increase in the number and size of fires. In 2025, according to preliminary results, 6,800 forest fires were recorded on forest lands covering an area of almost 4.5 million hectares. Large fires occurred in specially protected natural areas of federal significance in Transbaikalia, Buryatia, and other regions of Siberia and the Far East. This year, fires have noticeably shifted beyond the 66th parallel, into the Arctic zone! And the fire season in Russia has virtually lasted year-round.

In such conditions, prevention and proper fire suppression are an extremely important part of the work to save the country's natural heritage.

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.