12.Feb.2026 "Reserve Reception" will take place on February 13 as part of the All-Russian Nature Festival "Primordial Russia" in the protected area

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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), for 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 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.

On February 4, 2026, the heroes of the tenth season of the eco-volunteer marathon "Poneslos" (Here We Go) were awarded in Moscow. The Zapovednoye Posledstvo Foundation is a long-standing expert partner of the marathon.

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Source: Preserved Embassy Foundation

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The capital celebrated the 10th anniversary season of one of the country's largest corporate volunteer marathons, the "Poneslos" eco-marathon. The most active volunteer teams received awards from Norilsk Nickel. Projects that benefit nature and society were recognized not only with certificates but also with certificates to support future good deeds. The marathon's long-standing expert partner, the "Zapovednoye Poslostvo" Foundation, actively participated in the event.

The volunteer season, as in all previous years, lasted several months and included several stages, from project development and training to eco-volunteer shifts and the implementation of good deeds. The results of the tenth anniversary season were summed up in style: with a business game, cake, and big plans for the future. Experts from the Nature Embassy Foundation organized a "Nature Reshearium" for the participating teams—a brainstorming session to address real-life challenges facing protected areas. The participants enthusiastically proposed solutions to cases from Krasnoyarsk Stolby National Park and the Daurian Nature Reserve.

Over the past ten years, the marathon has grown from a local initiative into a large-scale program, uniting 173 teams and over 1,500 people across Russia in 2025—from Norilsk and the Murmansk region to Moscow and Transbaikal. While the first season focused on litter cleanup, today "Poneslos" encompasses six major areas: from scientific volunteering and assistance to protected areas to environmental education and animal rights.

The scientific focus—assisting nature reserve scientists—was a fascinating new feature last season. For example, at the Daursky Nature Reserve, volunteers helped scientists count birds, collected feathers for mercury analysis, and even made a scientific discovery, discovering that long-legged buzzards, due to a rodent shortage, have switched to feeding on… insects! And Moscow teams brilliantly demonstrated how to combine environmental and social assistance. For example, one team took over the "Husky Help" dog shelter. The volunteers not only walked the huskies but also organized a special outing for the dogs and children from the orphanage, giving both the children and the animals a joyful experience. Another team, while planting plants at a nursing home, realized that seniors need more than just greenery in their yard. They gave them a relevant lecture on digital security, protecting grandparents from online scammers. There are teams that have been supporting the Tsar's Apiary eco-center in Izmailovo Park, museum-reserves near Moscow, and other sites for several years now.

These projects are just part of a larger effort. This season, volunteers across the country built eco-trails, improved street spaces in their communities, supported animal shelters, created eco-art installations, and held hundreds of educational events.

The evening concluded, as is traditional, with a shared celebratory cake. But for the "Ponesils" volunteers, this isn't the end, but merely a pause before new achievements. After all, as the participants themselves say, they're already a big family, growing stronger with each passing year and ready to make the world a better place.

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.

03.Feb.2026 The "Primordial Russia" nature festival starts in the Manezh protected area

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Source: Preserved Embassy Foundation

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From February 6 to March 5, 2026, the "Primordial Russia" nature festival will take place at the Manege Central Exhibition Hall in Moscow. This year, the event has moved to a new location. The Zapovednoye Posledstvo Foundation is a traditional partner of the festival.

The festival will feature one of Europe's largest exhibitions of Russian wildlife photography. Over 400 images will showcase diverse landscapes, territories, and animals in their natural environments. The photographs were taken by leading Russian photographers during expeditions across various regions of the country.

The exhibition is dedicated to nature conservation, ecotourism development, and responsible environmental stewardship. Visitors will learn about Russia's nature reserves, their conservation regulations, and appropriate behavior in the wild.

A rich program has been prepared for festival guests, including lectures, discussions, film screenings, and practical workshops. Ecology and conservation experts will participate in the events, presenting modern methods for preserving natural resources and biodiversity and sharing opportunities for volunteering in nature reserves and specially protected areas.

A separate program section will be devoted to responsible interaction with wildlife and ethical principles of animal photography. A series of master classes and roundtable discussions will be held for photography professionals and amateurs, where they will discuss how to work with animals in their natural environments without disrupting their lifestyles or harming the environment. The business portion of the festival will provide a platform for exchanging experiences between representatives of nature reserves, conservation organizations, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and the environmental photography community. Discussions will cover the development of ecotourism, the use of modern media in educational activities, and raising environmental awareness.

On February 13, 2026, we will hold our now-traditional Nature Embassy Day. We will dedicate this day to Russia's protected nature and its rich natural and associated cultural heritage. As part of our traditional public report for 2025, we will share the most significant, large-scale, and environmentally beneficial results of our activities, highlight exciting projects, and, of course, answer the important question: how can any ordinary person help protected areas? Spoiler alert: it will all follow our beloved formula: "Discover! Love! Save!", which has been our motto for seven years now.

Nature Embassy Day is an opportunity for protected area staff, educators, youth, and nature lovers alike to immerse themselves in the world of conservation and gain inspiration for future endeavors.

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.

On January 31, 2026, the "Zapovednoye Posledstvo" (Protected Embassy) Foundation helped expand the exhibition of the first Russian school geography classroom dedicated to the protected area.

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Source: Preserved Embassy Foundation

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A class dedicated to the rarest big cat, the snow leopard, and its prominent researcher, Sergei Vladimirovich Spitsyn, a senior researcher at the Altai Biosphere Reserve, has opened in the geography room of M. V. Karamaev Lyceum No. 1 in Gorno-Altaisk. The Zapovednoye Polostel'stvo Foundation supported the expansion of the class's environmental education exhibit.

The project to create a class dedicated to the snow leopard was implemented on the initiative of the staff of the Altai Biosphere Reserve, the Zapovednoye Poslost Foundation, participants of the expedition "In the Footsteps of the Snow Leopard", with the support of the administration of Lyceum No. 1 and members of the public organization "Keepers of the Lake".

This is the first time such a specialized geography classroom has been established in an educational institution in Russia, dedicated to the protected area and the object of its research.

The office was named after Sergei Vladimirovich Spitsyn in recognition and respect for the conservation and research work of this employee of the Altai Nature Reserve. At the reserve, Spitsyn rose from forester to deputy director for conservation, and then to senior researcher. He pioneered the study of the snow leopard and Altai argali sheep populations. Sergei Spitsyn is considered one of the leading experts on snow leopard research in Altai.

The office wall features a unique mural on the exhibition's theme, and the office itself contains a wealth of interesting and useful information about the snow leopard and its study and conservation methods. Also on display are items and field equipment used by Sergei Vladimirovich, collections of scientific articles, books, and exhibition photographs. Among the exhibits are the camera trap used to take the first photograph of a snow leopard in this region, as well as Sergei Spitsyn's original radio and travel bag.

The Zapovednoye Polstvovo Foundation and the Zapovedniki Ecocenter's educational center supported the interactive equipment of the classroom, as well as the future expansion of the exhibition: exhibits related to the habits of this rare cat and its study will soon appear in the classroom.

The opening ceremony echoed the beautiful parable of how a seed becomes a forest. Similarly, the "Lake of Miracles" club, founded at the lyceum in 2016, has grown and become a significant force in the region's environmental education sector. The club is especially significant for us: Elena Romanova, the current head of the Zapovedniki Ecocenter's Educational Center, is the club's founder and first director. Elena personally attended the ceremony, conveyed congratulations from the "Zapovedniy Polost" (Reserve Embassy), and presented a certificate for further equipping the geography classroom.

The event was attended by Spitsyn's colleagues and good friends: Vasily Manyshev, Chairman of the Committee of the State Assembly – El Kurultai of the Republic of Adygeya on Agrarian Policy, Ecology, and Nature Management; Igor Pautov, organizer of the "In the Footsteps of the Snow Leopard" expeditions; Dobrynya Satin, ethnomusician, expedition participant, and lead singer of the band "Novaya Aziya"; Igor Kalmykov, Chairman of the Republican Branch of the Russian Geographical Society and Director of the Altai Biosphere Reserve; as well as employees of the Altai Reserve and Saylyugem National Park, and leaders of the RGS Youth Center. Participants of the "In the Footsteps of the Snow Leopard" expedition from across the country sent video greetings sharing their impressions of working with Spitsyn.

The Lyceum's management recognized the project participants with letters of gratitude.

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.

February 2, 2026: New project of the "Zapovednoye Embassy" Foundation: the village of Urshelsky becomes the center of the territory of cooperation with the Meshchera National Park. Protected area surroundings

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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.

January 29, 2026, REGION Asset Management was selected as the endowment management company for the Zapovednoye Posledstvo (Reserve Embassy) Foundation.

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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), for 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.

On January 22, 2026, Natalya Romanovna Danilina, at a meeting of the Expert Council on Nature Reserves, called for attention to continuity and science in the protected areas surrounding the reserve.

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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.

January 21, 2026 A new visitor center has opened in the Smolenskoye Poozerie National Park. Protected environment, protected nature

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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.

January 19, 2026: Saving the most valuable things from fire: The Zapovednoye Poslost Foundation and MTS launched a "fire safety" video course for employees of protected areas.

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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.

January 11, 2026. GIVE A GIFT TO RUSSIA'S NATURE PROTECTION SYSTEM ON ITS BIRTHDAY! Nature Reserves

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Source: Preserved Embassy Foundation

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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.