Category: Raw News

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.