Category: Nature

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Preserved Embassy Foundation

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The visitor center is the entry point for everyone visiting a protected area for the first time. It is equally important for local residents. How were the needs of key visitor groups considered when creating the new visitor center at Smolenskoye Poozerie National Park in the village of Przhevalskoye? Natalia Butorina, an expert with the Zapovedniki Ecocenter and the Zapovednoye Polostvo Foundation, who participated in the visitor center's design, answers the question.

Visitor centers of specially protected natural areas (SPNAs) are multifunctional complexes. Their primary goals are to visually present the natural and historical attractions of the SPNAs, direct visitor flows, and provide up-to-date information and recreational services.

In Smolenskoye Poozerie National Park, almost all educational trails are connected to the recreational hub around the village of Przhevalskoye. Therefore, the optimal location for the new visitor center was chosen at the entrance to the village—convenient for tourists and within walking distance for locals.

When developing the concept for the visitor center building, a special questionnaire was used to collect data on the needs of future visitors. This helped the architects design the three-module building complex and develop a development plan for the adjacent area. The central module is being constructed as a welcoming guest area, housing an information center, a workshop space, an office for staff, a cloakroom, and restrooms. To the right of the main entrance is a large exhibition hall, "The Heritage of Smolensk Poozerie." A separate section of the visitor center building is a multifunctional hall accommodating up to 100 people for various educational events, with video and audio capabilities.

The new visitor center's infrastructure will significantly expand the range of annual environmental education events at the national park. These will include introductory tours of the exhibits, game programs, creative competitions, and temporary exhibitions, as well as events such as nature conservation festivals and environmental education campaigns. The visitor center's multifaceted activities are aimed at promoting the values of Smolenskoye Poozerie Park, increasing public support, and developing visitors' environmental awareness.

The visitor center, as a focal point for visitors to Smolenskoye Poozerie, is focused on introducing them to the national park's tourism opportunities in various formats: one-day and multi-day tours, volunteering, recreation at tourist centers and in private accommodation, and participation in events. One of the key indicators of success will be tourists' desire to return to Poozerie or recommend the tour to their friends.

For local residents, the visitor center offers a new opportunity for engaging leisure activities and expanding their horizons in the familiar places of the Demidovsky District. Themed excursions and workshops, game programs for children and families, creative competitions, and club and hobby groups are just a few of the opportunities available. Visitor centers typically serve as the basis for Friends of Protected Areas clubs, which coordinate community engagement programs. Thus, the visitor center in Przhevalskoye has the potential to become a "third place" (a place for leisure and recreation, as sociologist Ray Olbendurg calls it) for local residents—an interesting place to spend their free time outside of work or school.

The new visitor center will also foster local economic growth through partnerships between residents and the national park. This will include new jobs, opportunities to sell souvenirs, and the promotion of private initiatives to create recreational services for tourists.

The active work of the visitor center creates a multiplier effect that draws new partners of the national park into sustainable long-term cooperation.

*The visitor center is one of the stages of a joint project between the Zapovednoye Posledstvo Foundation and the Smolenskoye Poozerie National Park, implemented with the support of JTI Russia.

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: Save Nature Foundation

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Participants included representatives of international organizations, Belarusian and Russian scientists, specialists in ecology, energy, and environmental management, research fellows, and faculty, students, and postgraduate students from universities in Russia and Belarus.

On October 15, the seminar opened with welcoming speeches by K.V. Yakushenko, Vice-Rector for Research at the Belarusian National Technical University; G.M. Brovka, Dean of the Faculty of Management Technologies and Humanitarianization at the Belarusian National Technical University; A.A. Brin, Director of the Institute of Energy of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus; V.E. Pinaev, Associate Professor of the Department of Environmental Safety and Product Quality Management at the Institute of Ecology at the Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University of Russia; and L.L. Poleshchuk, Deputy Director of the Department of Energy Efficiency at the State Standard of the Republic of Belarus.

After welcoming the participants and introducing the seminar program, a plenary discussion opened.

The first speaker to present his plenary report on "Characteristics of the Development of the Nationally Determined Contribution of the Republic of Belarus to the Paris Agreement" was A.Zh. Grebenkov, a leading researcher at the Sustainable Energy Development Laboratory of the Institute of Energy of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

Next, O.V. Kudryavtseva, Professor of the Department of Environmental Management at the Faculty of Economics at Lomonosov Moscow State University, spoke about "Decarbonization of the Electric Power Industry with the Help of Energy Storage Systems and Achieving the SDGs."

N.M. Maltseva, consultant for the Department of Energy Efficiency, Ecology, and Science at the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Belarus, introduced participants to the work on "Decarbonization of the Electricity Generation Sector and its Impact on Achieving Sustainable Development Goals."

Yu. P. Khitev, associate professor at the RUDN University Institute of Ecology, spoke about the activities of the RUDN University greenhouse gas validation and verification body during the Sakhalin Experiment.

The plenary session was quite lively. In addition to reading the papers themselves, the speakers answered questions from the participants in depth.

After a short break, a roundtable discussion on "Decarbonization of the Energy Sector" took place in the conference hall of the BNTU Polytechnic. The discussion was moderated by V.L. Chervinsky, PhD, Head of the UNESCO Department at the Belarusian National Technical University.

T.G. Zorina, Head of the Laboratory, Doctor of Economics, and Professor at the Institute of Energy of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, opened the meeting with a presentation on "Decarbonization of Energy in the Context of Sustainable Energy Development."

Ya.E. Boreiko, an employee of the State Enterprise “Bel Scientific Research Center “Ecology,” presented a report on the topic “Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in the Energy Sector.”

A.M. Apalko, a researcher at the Economic Research Institute of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Belarus, spoke about "Power-to-X Technology and the Role of Hydrogen and Electrolysis in the Global Energy Transition."

V.R. Kuzmin, a junior researcher at the Melentyev Energy Systems Institute of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, presented a paper on "The Role of Digital Twins of Renewable Energy Sources and Monitoring of Pollutant Emissions from Energy Facilities in Energy Decarbonization."

N.N. Dalmuradova, Associate Professor of the Alternative Energy Sources Department at the Islam Karimov Tashkent State Technical University, introduced the participants to the "Role of Resource-Saving Technologies and Recycling of Renewable Energy Components in Decarbonization of the Energy Sector."

K.V. Dobrego, head of Belinvesttorg LLC, a 1AK GROUP holding company and a partner of the seminar, gave a presentation on "Statistical Modeling of Lithium-ion Battery Charge-Discharge Cycles."

A.D. Matyushenko, a postgraduate student at the Belarusian State University, introduced the participants to the "Assessment of the Impact of Various Factors on Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Energy Sector of the Republic of Belarus."

At the end of the individual presentations section of the roundtable, moderator V.L. Chervinsky, Ph.D., Head of the UNESCO Department at the Belarusian National Technical University, presented a report on "Improving the Energy Efficiency of the BNTU Student Campus Power Supply by Using a Photovoltaic System."

Participants then began a discussion of the speakers' reports and the challenges of decarbonizing the energy sector.

In the afternoon, experts participated in a roundtable discussion on "Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions" in the conference hall of the BNTU "Polytechnic" Scientific and Technical Complex. The discussion was moderated by A. A. Grebenkov, PhD, leading researcher at the Sustainable Energy Development Laboratory of the Institute of Energy of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

The section of individual reports opened with a presentation by R.N. Salieva, Institute of Ecology and Subsoil Use Problems of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan, on the topic "The Legal Basis for the Implementation of State Policy in the Field of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Russian Federation."

Participants learned about "Russian Practices in Training and Handling GHGs" from a presentation by V.E. Pinaev, Associate Professor of the Department of Environmental Safety and Product Quality Management at the Patrice Lumumba Institute of Ecology at RUDN University.

I.I. Poloz, Associate Professor at the Belarusian National Technical University, PhD in Agricultural Sciences, conducted a "Review of Policies and Measures to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Waste Sector."

J. Dobkovich, A. Andreev – Official representatives of GAIA Corporation in Russia introduced participants to the experience of “Local processing of organic waste to reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.”

Seminar participants learned about "Neural network modeling of carbon dioxide concentrations as a basis for developing emission reduction technologies" from a presentation by V.A. Nurmekhamitova from the Institute of Ecology and Subsoil Use Problems of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan.

E.V. Rassokha, Head of the Department of Production Organization and Real Estate Economics at BSTU, and A.M. Frantsuzova, PhD student in the Department of Production and Real Estate Economics at the Belarusian State Technological University, presented their research on "Decarbonization of Real Estate Based on the Integration of ESG Principles."

V.V. Dyurov, an employee of the Scientific Research Economic Institute of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Belarus, spoke to participants about "Managing the Efficiency of Material Resource Use in Industry in the Republic of Belarus as a Factor in Decarbonization: International Experience and National Economic Prospects."

The individual papers section concluded with a lecture by Xueyao Liu from the Belarusian State University on "Research on Environmental Emissions in China."

The participants then began a discussion, during which they discussed the speakers' presentations and answered questions.

On October 16, a roundtable discussion on "Decarbonization of the Energy Sector" was held in the conference hall of the BNTU Polytechnic. The discussion was moderated by V.L. Chervinsky, PhD, Head of the UNESCO Department at the Belarusian National Technical University.

The round table began with an award ceremony for the young participants of the seminar, whose scientific work received high praise from experts.

Leading experts took part in the meeting to discuss the proposals and summarize the results of the discussion, including: A.M. Apalko – Research Economic Institute of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Belarus, Ya.E. Boreiko is an employee of the State Enterprise “Bel NRC “Ecology”, D.A. Gaskova is a junior researcher of the Department of Artificial Intelligence Systems in Energy of the L.A. Melentyev Energy Systems Institute of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, M.V. Grinyuk, V.D. Osmolovsky and I.O. Parshuto are employees of the RUE “BelTEI” RUE “BelTEI”, N.N. Dalmuradova is an associate professor of the Department of Alternative Energy Sources of the Tashkent State Technical University named after Islam Karimov, T.G. Zorina is the head of the laboratory, Doctor of Economics, Professor of the Institute of Energy of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, O.V. Kudryavtseva is a professor of the Department of Economics of Nature Management of the Faculty of Economics of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov, V.R. Kuzmin is a junior researcher of the L.A. Melentyev Energy Systems Institute of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, A.D. Matyushenko is a graduate student of the Belarusian State University, A.V. Tavrykin – employee of the Institute of Power Engineering of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, S.E. Titov – professor, candidate of technical sciences of Kazan State Power Engineering University, V.L. Chervinsky – so-called sci., head of the UNESCO Department of the Belarusian National Technical University.

Participants discussed proposals and ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and transition from fossil fuels to low-carbon and renewable energy sources in the energy production sector of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation.

After a short break, the same group of experts held a roundtable discussion on "Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions." The meeting was moderated by A. A. Grebenkov, Ph.D., leading researcher at the Sustainable Energy Development Laboratory at the Institute of Energy of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

The speakers discussed the potential for applying greenhouse gas reduction methods, as outlined in their previously presented reports. Following the discussion, the experts reached a consensus on key areas of work and expressed hope for continued joint efforts and the exchange of experience between Russia and Belarus to strengthen the results achieved.

All proposals were included in the final Resolution.

The Revival of Nature Charitable Foundation served as a partner for the seminar. Participants were able to learn about the Foundation's activities and mission, as our public service announcement about family values and a love of nature was shown on screens during registration. Participants also received useful and memorable gifts from the Revival of Nature Charitable Foundation and the Patrice Lumumba Institute of Ecology at RUDN University – convenient folders for participation in conferences, seminars, and forums. The Revival of Nature Charitable Foundation also provided food for the participants, funding coffee breaks and lunches.

The international expert seminar on environmental aspects of energy development, "DECARBONIZING THE ENERGY SECTOR. REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS," held in Minsk demonstrated the unity of international scientists and practitioners focused on addressing pressing environmental issues, preserving natural resources, and improving the quality of life for the world's population.

We thank the organizers, the Institute of Energy of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the Belarusian National Technical University, and the Patrice Lumumba Institute of Ecology of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, for inviting us to partner with this significant event.

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 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.

The Nature Embassy Foundation and the Zapovedniki Ecocenter, together with Rosatom and SIBUR, presented best practices and research in biodiversity conservation at the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) World Conservation Congress. Rosatom and the Nature Embassy also announced the creation of an international platform for publishing best practices and research in biodiversity conservation businesses.

The Congress is held every four years, and this year it was held in Abu Dhabi from October 9 to 15, 2025. The Congress website is: iucncongress2025.org/

Russian non-profit organizations—the Zapovedniki Ecocenter and the Zapovednoye Posledstvo Charitable Educational Foundation—as well as representatives of the Rosatom and SIBUR businesses, held business and public events at the Congress aimed at promoting advanced Russian practices in biodiversity conservation and environmental education.

The event "Partnerships for Conservation" was organized by representatives of the Nature Conservation Embassy Foundation and the Zapovedniki Ecocenter, together with Rosatom, Sibur, and Kept. Attendees of the session, held in the Education Center pavilion of the IUCN Commission on Communications and Education, heard examples of effective partnerships aimed at conservation and sustainable development.

The session was opened by Natalia Danilina, President of the Nature Conservation Embassy Foundation and Director of the Zapovedniki Ecocenter. She emphasized the importance of cooperation between protected areas, businesses, and expert NGOs. "We are implementing projects with Norilsk Nickel, JTI, SIBUR, MTS, and others, and our new partner is Rosatom. These are innovative, educational, scientific, and practical projects supporting biodiversity, environmental education, and volunteer development. We believe that the formula for effective cooperation for nature conservation is a three-pronged partnership: protected areas, which are directly responsible for nature conservation, and businesses and nonprofit organizations, which organize joint project development and jointly find innovative solutions to address conservation issues as effectively as possible," noted Natalia Danilina.

Svetlana Sheinfeld, Director of the Operational Risk and Sustainability Group at the audit and consulting firm Kept, who participated in the event, noted that there is a growing demand for environmental partnerships. Proactive businesses are transforming their approaches, which is confirmed by the data. Seventy percent of respondents to the Kept study cite the critical importance of cooperation with protected areas. However, achieving a synergistic effect requires a rigorous expert approach based on relevant metrics.

Olga Shkabardnya, CEO of ANO Energy of Development and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Internal Communications at Rosatom State Corporation, explained that projects aimed at preserving biodiversity and implementing environmental standards in tourism development in natural areas are currently relevant to the company. "We understand that only by working with non-profit organizations can we preserve the diversity and natural environment of these areas. Our corporate volunteers, our youth, and our student community leaders, who have been organizing environmental education events for many years with the support of experts, also play a huge role in this process," noted Olga Shkabardnya. She emphasized that one of Rosatom's key activities is promoting biodiversity conservation through special projects. For example, Rosatom holds a photo contest showcasing the nature of nuclear cities and has also established a special category within the Golden Turtle awards.

Raisa Momot, Head of Sustainable Development at SIBUR, supported the theme of environmental education through partnership and local community engagement. She noted in her speech: "The topic of sustainable development is quite broad. And in order to engage more residents of the regions where we operate and other stakeholders, we need to create diverse communities and specialized spaces. The agenda of preserving ecosystems and biodiversity will not leave anyone indifferent. Everyone will find something for themselves in it – some enjoy planting trees, others clean and improve the area, and still others simply enjoy strolling along an eco-trail," noted Raisa Momot.

The expert spoke about SIBUR's environmental education projects aimed at educating children and adolescents. Specifically, the "Living Symbols of the Taiga" project allows children to study wildlife and complete projects at a summer camp. And the "Lapwing Territory" project offers opportunities for residents of the project's regions to participate in sport ornithology (birdwatching).

Raisa Momot also shared information about SIBUR's important environmental education initiative, the creation of eco-trails. "Our eco-trails are designed to bring people and nature closer together, no matter where they are—even within an industrial cluster. In Tobolsk, where our flagship plant is located, the eco-trail is located in a natural area near the facility. It allows residents of the region to stroll and explore the animal and plant species that inhabit and grow there. The trail features relict taiga and mixed forests with unique bio-indicator plants, clearly demonstrating that wildlife can coexist in close proximity to industrial production without negative consequences. Another eco-trail is located in the Amur Region. With SIBUR's support, a unique city arboretum, which had fallen into disrepair, was restored. It is a veritable museum of the nature of the Far East. "The third, in the Republic of Tatarstan, is located in an industrial cluster, creating a green space there and demonstrating that industrial enterprises and the natural environment can safely coexist side by side," noted Raisa Momot.

Another event held as part of the Congress by experts from the Zapovedniki Ecocenter and the Zapovedniki Embassy Foundation was the "In the Language of Nature Reserves" session. This interactive educational program explored the importance of protecting wildlife and protected areas worldwide. The session draws on the Zapovedniki Ecocenter's 30 years of experience in environmental education, training nature reserve staff, and creating innovations in interpreting nature conservation through interactive formats—games, lessons, and engaging activities. Furthermore, experts from the Zapovedniki Embassy Foundation conducted nature reserve game sessions, which generated great enthusiasm. By playing scientific games developed by the foundation's experts and dedicated to biodiversity conservation, Congress participants were able to tap into environmental education and delve deeper into nature conservation through interactive games. "Game-based practices allow us to present complex scientific data in an accessible manner, thus gaining new allies in the cause of nature conservation. "These kinds of mechanisms are important for education specialists, teachers, volunteers, and employees of protected areas," noted Yulia Vereshchak, Director of International Projects at the Reserve Embassy Foundation.

At a press conference titled "New Scientific Research on Business and Innovation in Biodiversity Conservation and Their Impact on International Cooperation," organized by the Nature Conservation Embassy Foundation at the Congress Media Center, the organization announced the results of a big-data study on public attitudes toward protected areas. Rosatom announced the launch of a biodiversity study in areas where nuclear industry organizations operate in at least 32 Russian cities, and potentially abroad.

Olga Shkabardnya, CEO of ANO Energy of Development and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Internal Communications at Rosatom State Corporation, also discussed Rosatom's new joint project with the Nature Conservation Embassy Foundation—an online platform that aggregates best practices and research on biodiversity conservation. "Together with the Nature Conservation Embassy Foundation, we initiated the creation of a unified international platform where, in addition to best corporate practices and research in biodiversity conservation from around the world, we will also showcase key biodiversity-related events, opportunities for sharing best practices, and opportunities for contacts between scientists, young people, and entrepreneurs. The platform is intended to become a space for communication and information exchange between science, NGOs, government, and business to most effectively address biodiversity conservation challenges and replicate best practices." The speaker emphasized that the demand for the popularization of effective solutions in the field of biodiversity conservation on a single resource was voiced at the Congress.

Yulia Vereshchak, Director of International Projects at the Nature Embassy Foundation, shared information about a large-scale study conducted by the Foundation in collaboration with Tomsk State University and the Cyberia Lab. "Using lingua markers, we trained a program that helped analyze local population attitudes toward protected areas across all federal districts of Russia, including national parks, nature reserves, inspectors, science departments, and volunteer organizations. Our big data study covered over 3.5 million data points over a year. The goal of the study was to understand local population attitudes toward protected areas. Do Russians know what activities are conducted in protected areas, what biodiversity is, have they ever seen an inspector, have they participated in environmental festivals, are they willing to volunteer, and do they understand that it's possible to visit a protected area as a tourist while adhering to ecotourism standards? We intend to dedicate the second part of the study to transboundary territories. We are confident that the results of this study will help to more effectively manage protected areas and develop international cooperation in the field of biodiversity conservation."

REFERENCE:

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) World Conservation Congress is held every four years and sets development priorities and cooperation formats for nature conservation and biodiversity preservation for years to come. The Congress is the largest platform for exchanging experiences in environmental protection and sustainable development. In 2025, the IUCN Congress welcomed over 1,400 IUCN member organizations from 160 countries and was attended by 10,000 participants. Scientists, experts, representatives of businesses, NGOs, and natural areas from around the world shared experiences, innovations, and work results at several hundred events.

Russia is an active member of IUCN. The Zapovednoye Polostvo Foundation and the Zapovedniki Ecocenter organized business and public events as part of the congress, together with representatives of Rosatom and SIBUR. The congress website: https://yuchncongress2025.org/

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.

Rosatom State Corporation and the Nature Embassy Charitable Educational Foundation announced the creation of an online platform that will consolidate global business research and best corporate practices in biodiversity conservation and environmental education. The announcements were made at a press conference held by the Nature Embassy Foundation jointly with Rosatom State Corporation at the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) World Conservation Congress, which took place in Abu Dhabi from October 9 to 15.

Both organizations also presented their research. "Zapovednoye Polost" (Protected Embassy) announced the results of a big-data study on public attitudes toward protected areas. Rosatom announced the launch of a biodiversity study in areas where nuclear industry organizations operate in at least 32 Russian cities, and potentially abroad.

"We have launched a systematic research project to study biodiversity in areas where the nuclear industry operates. The study will be conducted jointly with the Ecology Research Institute and will examine endangered species that inhabit areas where the nuclear industry operates, including 10 natural areas located in close proximity to Rosatom cities. We are confident that we will not only identify the problems but also find solutions, including technological ones. For example, many of the interesting practices discussed at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi can be applied in Russia. Researching the biodiversity conservation agendas of corporate sectors in various countries is also a major, ambitious undertaking. This is a key component of our research, and following these findings, we believe it is important to share the findings with the professional community and young people," noted Olga Shkabardnya, Director General of ANO Energy of Development and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Internal Communications at Rosatom State Corporation.

Olga Shkabardnya explained that the results of the large-scale study will be presented on a new online platform, which Rosatom will launch in partnership with the Nature Conservation Embassy Foundation. It will consolidate best practices in biodiversity conservation. "Together with the Nature Conservation Embassy Foundation, we initiated the creation of a unified international platform where, in addition to best corporate practices and research in biodiversity conservation from around the world, we will also feature announcements of key biodiversity-related events, opportunities for exchanging best practices, and opportunities for networking between scientists, young people, and entrepreneurs. The platform should become a space for communication and information exchange between science, NGOs, government, and business to most effectively address biodiversity conservation challenges and replicate best practices." The speaker emphasized that the demand for the popularization of effective biodiversity conservation solutions on a single resource was voiced at the Congress.

Natalia Danilina, President of the Nature Conservation Embassy Foundation and Director of the Zapovedniki Ecocenter, a leading nonprofit organization with nearly 30 years of experience working with protected areas, emphasized the importance of business collaboration with environmental organizations and protected areas. Specifically, she mentioned projects implemented in partnership with the Nature Conservation Embassy Foundation by Norilsk Nickel, JTI Russia, SIBUR, MTS, and others. "We are confident that the formula for effective cooperation for nature conservation is a three-pronged partnership: protected areas, which are directly responsible for nature conservation, and businesses and nonprofits, which organize joint project development and jointly find innovative solutions to address conservation issues as effectively as possible," noted Natalia Danilina.

Yulia Vereshchak, Director of International Projects at the Nature Embassy Foundation, shared information about a large-scale study conducted by the Foundation in collaboration with Tomsk State University and the Cyberia Lab. "Using lingua-markers, we trained a program that helped analyze local population attitudes toward protected areas across all federal districts of Russia, including national parks, nature reserves, inspectors, science departments, and volunteer organizations. Our big data study covered over 3.5 million data points over a year. The goal of the study was to understand local population attitudes toward protected areas. Do Russians know what activities are conducted in protected areas, what biodiversity is, have they ever seen an inspector, have they participated in environmental festivals, are they willing to volunteer, and do they understand that it's possible to visit a protected area as a tourist while adhering to ecotourism standards? We intend to dedicate the second part of the study to transboundary territories. We are confident that the results of this study will help to more effectively manage protected areas and develop international cooperation in the field of biodiversity conservation."

REFERENCE:

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) World Conservation Congress is held every four years and sets development priorities and cooperation formats for nature conservation and biodiversity preservation for years to come. The Congress is the largest platform for exchanging experiences in environmental protection and sustainable development. In 2025, the IUCN Congress welcomed over 1,400 IUCN member organizations from 160 countries and was attended by 10,000 participants. Scientists, experts, representatives of businesses, NGOs, and natural areas from around the world shared experiences, innovations, and work results at several hundred events.

Russia is an active member of IUCN. The Zapovednoye Polostvo Foundation and the Zapovedniki Ecocenter organized business and public events as part of the congress, together with representatives of Rosatom and SIBUR.

Congress website: https://yuchncongress2025.org/

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: Save Nature Foundation

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The main theme of the meeting was the development of a concept for the activities of public organizations and private initiatives in the field of environmental and patriotic education of youth, as a unified direction for creating a culture of active citizenship.

Working group members and members of the Public Council, together with representatives of environmental and patriotic NGOs, discussed how to align the initiatives of public organizations engaged in environmental and patriotic education with the traditional values outlined in the decree of the President of Russia, as well as identifying successful practices and tools for incorporating traditional values into environmental education activities. An important component of the discussion was the understanding that patriotic education is based on the principle of the inextricable link between ecology, historical memory, and love for the Motherland, where caring for nature is seen as a continuation of the memory of the heroic deeds of our ancestors.

The meeting began with an opening speech by Nikolai Sergeyevich Doronin, Chairman of the Public Council under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, who emphasized the symbolism of the intersection of the 17 values with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The floor then passed to Vladimir Evgenievich Pinaev, a member of the Public Council's working group on the preservation and strengthening of traditional Russian spiritual and moral values, who focused on patriotic education and noted that patriotism is based on a love of nature.

Pavel Aleksandrovich Pokrovsky also greeted those present in a video message and noted the contribution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the working group members to the development of a cultural and active civic position for public organizations.

Presentations of activities and exchange of practices in environmental education, taking into account the promotion of traditional values, began with a speech by Lieutenant Roman Vladimirovich Ledenev, head of the TINAO All-Russian public organization of veterans "COMBAT BROTHERHOOD."

The floor was then given to Maxim Vladimirovich Tokarev, Director of the ANO “Center for the Development of Environmental and Social Projects,” member of the Coordinating Council of the All-Russian Environmental Movement “Ecosystem,” member of the expert council of the State Duma Committee on Ecology, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, member of the Coordinating Council for Environmental Well-Being under the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.

Natalia Mikhailovna Tornqvist, President and Founder of the Revival of Nature Charitable Foundation and member of the Public Council under the Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources, spoke about the significant contribution to the development of traditional cultural, spiritual, and moral values in her speech, noting the importance of developing environmental culture and environmental habits within the family.

Yuri Valentinovich Bazhutkin, President of the Association of Ecological Architects for the Administration and Support of Business Processes and Social Projects, emphasized the need to meet young people's needs for relevant content and to communicate with them in a common language.

Arkady Sergeevich Kostyuzhev, Director of the "Ordinary Business" Charitable Foundation for Children and the Environment, will share his experience recycling waste, including turning soft toys into military pillows.

Irina Vasilyevna Golovacheva, Deputy Director for Educational Work at the Patrice Lumumba Institute of Ecology at RUDN University, spoke about the work of the Information and Resource Center "Our Heritage," specifically on educating schoolchildren and developing a sense of responsibility and pride for their native land.

Naila Gainullina, a member of the board of trustees of the Revival of Nature Charitable Foundation, also took part in the working group meeting.

The discussion then began, with active participation from the Public Council members. Participants discussed green issues, waste recycling, and a special focus on environmental education, awareness, and environmental career guidance.

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: Save Nature Foundation

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Members of the working group and the Public Council, together with representatives of environmental and patriotic NGOs, discussed how to align the initiatives of public organizations engaged in environmental and patriotic education with the traditional values outlined in the decree of the President of Russia. They also discussed identifying successful practices and tools for incorporating traditional values into environmental education activities. An important component of the discussion was the understanding that patriotic education is based on the principle of the inextricable link between ecology, historical memory, and love for the Motherland, where caring for nature is seen as a continuation of the memory of the heroic deeds of our ancestors.

Natalia Tornqvist, President and Founder of the Revival of Nature Charitable Foundation and member of the Public Council under the Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources, spoke in the section on presenting activities and sharing practices in environmental education, taking into account the promotion of traditional values. She spoke about the importance of developing environmental culture and environmental habits in the family:

"Most parents would like to see their children develop into people with high moral and ethical standards. A child's upbringing and education begins in the family from birth. It depends on the mother, father, and grandparents whether the child will develop a well-developed consciousness and an environmental awareness."

"Environmental culture includes basic knowledge of ecology and practical skills, an emotional attitude toward nature (empathy, compassion, and sympathy), and the ability to notice and perceive the beauty of the world around us," noted Natalya Mikhailovna.

The speaker dedicated her report to the contribution of the Revival of Nature Charitable Foundation to the development of traditional cultural and spiritual-moral values:

"The Revival of Nature Charitable Foundation collaborates with and provides financial support to many specially protected natural areas. Our projects help raise an environmentally responsible generation."

Natalya Mikhailovna also shared interesting formats for environmental education:

"For successful environmental education, it's important to engage children in environmental issues through engaging forms of interaction. To this end, the Revival of Nature Charitable Foundation has released a fascinating environmental board game, "The Amazing World of Russian Invertebrates."

The Foundation also publishes photo catalogs, books, and atlases popular with libraries and scientists. Of particular value is the international whale catalog, created jointly by staff from the Beringia National Park and marine mammal specialists from Lomonosov Moscow State University.

We hold creative competitions, such as "Tame Reindeer," which attracted over 1,000 entries. Among the initiatives we've supported is an essay contest for schoolchildren. In 2024, the winner of the "Amazing and Unexplored Arctic" competition for high school students took part in aerial monitoring of polar bears. Initiatives like these allow children not only to learn more about nature but also to feel part of an important cause aimed at improving the lives of future generations.

Speaking of traditions and values, we'd like to mention the annual "Reserve Christmas Tree" matinee, which has been held at the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation with the support of the Revival of Nature Charitable Foundation for four years in a row.

In 2024, we launched a free educational course on ecology, "Living Action for the Revival of Nature," for schoolchildren, teachers, students, young parliamentarians, and anyone interested in protecting nature. We are currently preparing to launch the second season.

“We also prepare and conduct engaging lessons for schoolchildren about nature and ecology,” noted N.M. Tornqvist.

In closing, Natalya Mikhailovna thanked everyone for the invitation and the opportunity to share her experiences, and expressed hope for uniting caring people and promoting environmental thinking:

"We believe that each of us can contribute to preserving the natural heritage of our great country, because loving our homeland means protecting its nature, preserving the memory of the past, and building a future worthy of those who bequeathed to us the care of the land, water, and air passed down to us by our ancestors."

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.