ECOLOGICAL EDUCATION
AT STATE NATURE RESERVES IN 2000:
SURVEY
Russia had 96 functioning State Nature Reserves in 2000. In accordance
with current legislation, ecological education is one of the primary tasks
of the reserves. In 57 reserves (58%), divisions specializing in ecological
education functioned as independent units (Azas, Altaisky, Astrakhansky,
Baikalo-Lensky, Baikalsky, Barguzinsky, Basegi, Bastak, Bashkirsky, Belogorie,
Bolshaya Kokshaga, Bolshekhekhtsirsky, Bryansky Les, Bureinsky, Verkhne-Tazovsky,
Vishersky, Vitimsky, Volzhsko-Kamsky, Voroninsky, Dagestansky, Dalnevostochny
Morskoy, Darvinsky, Daursky, Kavkazsky, Katunsky, Kedrovaya Pad, Kerzhensky,
Kivach, Kostomukshsky, Kronotsky, Lazovsky, Laplandsky, Malaya Sos’va, Nurgush,
Ostrov Vrangelya, Pechoro-Ilychsky, Pinezhsky, Polistovsky, Poronaysky,
Privolzhskaya Lesosteppe, Prisursky, Sayano-Shushensky, Severo-Osetinsky,
Sikhote-Alinsky, Sohondinsky, Stolby, Taimyrsky, Teberdinsky, Tungussky,
Ubsunurskaya Kotlovina, Ussuriysky, Khakassky, Khankaisky, Khingansky, Tsentralno-Lesnoy,
Tsentralno-Chernozemny, Shulgan-Tash); in 25 reserves (25%) similar
divisions functioned as workgroups within other departments (Bolon’sky,
Bolshoy Arktichesky, Botchinsky, Voronezhsky, Zhigulevsky, Galichya Gora,
Dzherginsky, Kabardino-Balkarsky, Kaluzhskiye Zaseki, Komandorsky, Komsomolsky,
Kuznetsky Alatau, Kurilsky, Magadansky, Mordovsky, Nizhne-Svirsky, Oksky,
Olekminsky, Orenburgsky, Pasvick, Prioksko-Terasny, Putoransky, Khopersky,
Chernye Zemli, Yugansky). On average, 3 persons were involved in ecological
education in each reserve.
The average age of eco-education specialists is 31; 65% of them finished
college; 20% are qualified specialists; 10% finished secondary school; and
5% have some college education. Half are in the natural sciences (biology,
geography, chemistry, ecology, physics, and mathematics), and 88% of them
have accreditations to teach school.
Laplandsky, Pasvick and Taimyrsky reserves have historical
and cultural heritage museums. Belogorye boasts a Nature Museum founded
in 1924. This is the oldest nature museum in the system of Russian nature
reserves.A total of 155,667 visitors passed through reserve museums in 2000.
The most popular museums were those in Ilmensky (40,720 visitors),
Prioksko-Terrasny (12,958) and Voronezhsky (10,337).
Thirty-two reserves (32%) have constant exhibitions either in the NR office
or in other museums and establishments. Some reserves (Bryansky Les,
Bureinsky, Visimsky, Darvinsky, Sikhote-Alinsky and Khakassky) have
more than one exhibition at a time.
Twenty one reserves (21%) have visitor centers (Astrakhansky, Barguzinsky,
Basegi, Bryansky Les, Voronezhsky, Daursky, Zhigulevsky, Komsomolsky, Kostomukshsky,
Lazovsky, Nurgush, Orenburgsky, Pechero-Ilychsky, Rostovsky, Sayano-Shushensky,
Severo-Osetinsky, Taimyrsky, Tungussky, Ubsunurskaya Kotlovina, Ussuriysky,
Shulgan-Tash) while 39 others (39%) have information stations of some
other kind, such as ecological centers or specially equipped rooms. A number
of reserves have more than one station (Bolshoi Arktichesky, Bryansky
Les, Verkhne-Tazovsky, Zeisky, Katunsky, Orenburgsky, Privolzhskaya Lesosteppe,
Taimyrsky, Khakassky, Khankaisky, Khingansky, Shulgan-Tash). A total
of 58,890 people passed through reserve visitor centers and information
stations in 2000.
Staff members from 88 reserves (89%) set up 680 exhibitions. A little over
one-third of these (37%) were shows of children’s work (pictures and paintings,
essays, handicrafts from natural materials, ecological stories, fairy tales,
publications, etc). Much attention was paid to photography exhibitions (27%).
There were also specialized exhibitions dedicated to nature conservation
and reserves (15%), to art (10%), and to environmental literature (9%).
Taimyrsky, Khopersky, Khakassky and Privolzhskaya Lesosteppe organized
of the most exhibitions.
Some reserves (Vishersky, Dalnevostochny Morskoy, Teberdinsky, Tsentralno-Lesnoy,
Shulgan-Tash) used their own “pet corners”, animal houses and aviaries,
for ecological education. Other reserves (Voronezhsky, Galichya Gora,
Pechoro-Ilychsky, Oksky, Prioksko-Terrasny, Taimyrsky, Khingansky) used
existing nursery gardens and farms with rare and valuable animal species
for the same purpose.
Many reserves provide excursions and tours. Seventy-eight of them (79%)
have ecological paths and routes within the reserve, its buffer zone, and
other PNAs. The average length of such paths and routes is about 97 kilometers
per reserve. By equipping these paths and routes and relocating them outside
the reserve, NR experts can reduce recreation pressures.
The number of reserves that have or are in the process of laying out equipped
ecological paths and routes almost doubled between 1999 and 2000. However,
less than half of them (42%) have paths that are to some degree equipped.
Only 39 reserves (39%) have ecological paths and routes that are fully or
partially equipped: Azas, Altaisky, Baikalsky, Barguzinsky, Basegi, Bashkirsky,
Bolshoi Arktichesky, Botchinsky, Bryansky Les, Vitimsky, Volzhsko-Kamsky,
Voronezhsky, Voroninsky, Dalnevostochny Morskoy, Zeisky, Kavkazsky, Kaluzhskye
Zaseki, Kedrovaya Pad', Kivaxh, Komsomolsky, Kostomukshsky, Kronotsky, Kurilsky,
Laplandsky, Nurgush, Ostrov Vrangelya, Pinezhsky, Prisursky, Sayano-Shushensky,
Sokhondinsky, Stolby, Teberdinsky, Tungussky, Ubsunurskaya Kotlovina, Ussuriysky,
Khakassky, Khingansky, Tsentralno-Lesnoy, Shulgan-Tash.
In 2000, 79 reserves (80%) were visited by organized tour groups. A total
of 149,231 people visited the reserves. Foreign groups comprising 5,055
people visited 52 reserves (53%). The following reserves were the most visited
ones: Teberdinsky (57,206 persons), Kivach (30,000) and Prioksko-Terrasny
(12,959). Kivach was the most attractive for foreign visitors (2,000
persons). Staff responsible for ecological education gave guided tours in
65 reserves (66%); scientific research staff in 58 reserves (59%); inspectors
in 40 reserves (40%); and staff from outside organizations in 27 reserves
(27%).
Much attention was paid to working with the media. In 2000, the staff of
93 reserves (94%) published 2,160 articles. The following reserves had the
most publications: Luplandsky — 197, Khakassky — 112, Taimyrsky
— 81, Basegi — 78, Sikhote-Alinsky — 73, Bryansky Les
and Sayano-Shushensky — 60 publications each. Koryaksky and
Tsentralno-Sibirsky reserves had no publications at all.
In 2000 the staff of 44 reserves (44%) published 74 articles and news items
in the national media. The leaders are the following reserves: Taimyrsky
(16 items), Khingansky (14), Astrakhansky (13) and Sayano-Shushensky
(12).
Specialists from 31 reserves (31%) appeared on national television a combined
total of 73 times. Staff from the following reserves were on the air the
most often: Laplansky (12 times) and Teberdinsky (6).The staff
of 84 reserves (85%)participated in regional and local television programs
790 times. The following reserves appeared most often: Khakassky
(70 times), Volzhsko-Kamsky (47), Olekminsky (34) and Kavkazsky
(33).
Staff from 7 reserves (7%) were broadcast 13 times on national radio; of
these Laplandsky and Khingansky are the leaders (3 broadcasts
each). As for regional and local radio, the staff of 46 reserves (46%) were
broadcast 572 times, including Laplandsky (110 times), Khakassky
(42), Belogorye (39), Voronezhsky and Teberdinsky
(27 times each). On the other hand, Gydansky, Denezhkin Kamen’, Dzhugdzhursky,
Kaluzhskye Zaseki, Kivach, Koryaksky, Polistovsky, Tsentralnosibirsky, Yugansky
and Yuzhno-Uralsky had no radio or television broadcasts in 2000.
Nineteen reserves (19%) issued their own newsletters or bulletins, or assisted
in the publication of these periodicals financially, or provided expertise
(Bolshaya Kokshaga, Voroninsky , Voronezhsky, Darvinsky, Zhigulevsky,
Atunsky, Kerzhensky, Lazovsky, Laplandsky, Norsky, Olekminsky, Pinezhsky,
Teberdinsky, Ussuriysky, Khankaisky, Khakassky, Tsentralno-Chernozemny,
Shulgan-Tash, and Yugansky).The newsletters of the following
reserves had the largest circulation: Khakassky — 6,500, Teberdinsky
— 2,000, Pinezhsky — 1,400 and Laplandsky — 1,000.
Supplements to regional and local newspapers were issued with the financial
support or expertise of 13 reserves (13%): Bashkirsky, Voroninsky, Bureinsky,
Lazovsky, Malaya Sos'va, Nurgush, Oksky, Rostovsky, Sikhote-Alinsky, Sokhondinsky,
Khankaisky, Tsentralno-Lesnoy and Shulgan-Tash.
Three reserves (3%) had their own regular conservation columns in local
and regional newspapers: Bolshaya Kokshaga, Zhigulevsky and Poronaisky.At
the same time, Tsentralnosibirsky did not do any work with the media
at all.
Various kinds of souvenirs (badges, stickers, ensigns, medals, notebooks,
ceramic mugs and files) were produced by17 reserves (17%): Bolshaya Kokshaga,
Bryansky Les, Visimsky, Voroninsky, Ilmensky, Kostomukshsky, Kronotsky,
Oksky, Olekminsky, Pasvick, Pechero-Ilychsky, Rostovsky, Taimyrsky, Teberdinsky,
Ust’-Lensky, Khakassky, Shulgan-Tash.
Other kinds of advertising and information products (leaflets, books, teacher
editions, CD-ROMs, information packs, web-sites, etc.) were issued by 22
reserves (22%): Baikalsky, Bashkirsky, Bolshaya Kogshaga, Bolshoy Arktichesky,Bryansky
Les, Bureinsky, Volzhsko-Kamsky, Dzherginsky, Zhigulevsky, Zeisky, Ilmensky,
Kandalakshsky, Kedrovaya Pad’, Kostomukshsky, Kronotsky, Pechero-Ilychsky,
Pinezhsky, Prisursky, Stolby, Taimyrsky, Tigireksky, Shulgan-Tash.
Conservation scenes were filmed on the territory of 68 reserves (69%);
copies of these photo- and video materials remained in 49 reserves.
In 2000 the staff of 20 reserves (20%) organized regular environmental
courses for schoolchildren (Barguzinsky, Belogorye, Bureinsky, Zeisky,
Ilmensky, Katunsky, Kivach, Kronotsky, Kuznetsky Alatau, Lazovsky, Laplandsky,
Olekminsky, Polistovsky, Poronaisky, Privolzhskaya Lesosteppe, Sayano-Shushensky,
Sokhondinsky, Taimyrsky, Khankaisky and Tsentralno-Lesnoy). These included
after-school lectures and workshops on ecology and nature conservation,
as well as the introduction of similar subjects into the school curricula,
etc. The courses were delivered to 2,635 schoolchildren.
Single lectures on environmental subjects were given by the staff of 74
reserves (75%). These lectures included ecological games and individual
tasks, and in most cases, photographs and slideshows and videos about the
reserve. A total of 36,260 schoolchildren attended.
The staff of 47 reserves (47%) participated in ecological conferences and
seminars for a total of 3,103 schoolchildren; 65,565 schoolchildren took
part in various traditional contests, quizzes and Olympiads. Schoolchildren
of different age groups participated in natural materials craft contests
and contests for the best essay, painting, photo or research work, newspaper
article, etc. — a total of more than 640 events involving 84 reserves (85%).
Here the most active reserves were Taimyrsky, Ubsunurskaya Kotlovina,
Lazovsky, Orenburgsky and Khopersky.
The staff of 42 reserves (42%) worked with various ecological clubs both
in the reserve and outside (e.g. at schools and centers for young naturalists).
A total of 3,892 schoolchildren were involved in eco-clubs. Here the most
active reserves were Khakassky, Lazovsky, Darvinsky and Vishersky.
Research, conservation and other field trips and camping trips took place
in 42 reserves (42%); 2,222 schoolchildren were involved in these activities.
In the summer of 2000, 3,332 schoolchildren went to ecological camps at
49 reserves (49%). The best results were shown by Zhigulevsky, Khopersky,
Voronezhsky, Kerzhensky and Kaluzhskye Zaseki.
Schoolchildren worked at 63 reserves (64%). They arranged artificial breeding
sites for birds, cleared ecological paths, collected rubbish, created parking
places and recreational zones, planted trees, etc., in the reserves and
in adjacent areas.
In 2000, 174,391 schoolchildren participated in activities and events organized
by the reserves especially for them.
Seventy-four reserves (75%) worked with schools, assisting teachers and
consulting. In 2000, conferences and seminars for teachers of biology, geography
and ecology were organized with the participation of the staff of 54 reserves
(55%). Bryansky Les, Voroninsky, Bolshaya Kokshaga, Bashkirsky and
Khakassky were the most active.
At the same time, Gydansky and Tsentralnosibirsky had no
involvement with schoolchildren or schoolteachers.
The staff of Bolshaya Kokshaga and Dzherginsky presented
a series of lectures on ecology, nature conservation and reserves for college
and high school students. Specialists at 38 reserves (38%) organized lectures
for the local community. Astrakhansky, Kurilsky, Pechero-Ilychsky, Zhigulevsky
and Baikalo-Lensky were the most active here.
Events organized by NR staff with the participation of different enterprises,
authorities, the media, scientists and ecologists (to share experiences,
tell about project ideas and research results; offer assistance or establish
ties) have become a tradition. Various round table discussions, press conferences,
workshops and meetings were held by Ust-Lensky, Ussuriysky, Khopersky,
Kerzhensky, Sayano-Shushensky, Ubsunurskaya Kotlovina, Kostomukshsky, Prisursky,
Nurgush and other reserves.
Last year 90 reserves (91%) took part in the March for Parks, which involved
over 380,000 people. There were activities on Earth Day at 54 reserves;
on Bird Day at 42; and on a number of other ecological holidays. Over 400,000
thousand people total took part in these campaigns.
Festivals, marathons, meetings, processions and concerts were also dedicated
to ecological holidays. Reserve staff, authorities, environmental activists
and scientists gave speeches; agitprop teams organized special shows. Amateur
and professional performances, exciting theatrics, colorful decorations,
posters, balloons etc. made these activities more appealing to the public.
The events were covered in the media. The best-attended campaigns were organized
by Visimsky (150,000 people), Khakassky (80,000) and Bashkirsky
(22,000).
Eighty-three reserves (84%) provided liaisons with NGOs, government and
other national and regional associations. Partner organizations provided
informational, organizational, technical and material support to the reserves
free of charge. Prisursky, Khakassky and Tsentralno-Lesnoy had
the greatest number of partner-organizations.
In 2000, 61 staff members from 38 reserves (38%) upgraded their qualifications
at different training seminars and courses.
The reserves had the following facilities for eco-education work:
67 reserves (68%) had video-players;
62 reserves (63%) had video cameras;
56 reserves (57%) had TV-sets;
65 reserves (66%) had photo-cameras;
50 reserves (51%) had slide-projectors.
All the reserves participated in some way in eco-education and eco-training
activities in 2000. The best eco-education work was done by the following
reserves: Bashkirsky, Bolshaya Kokshaga, Voronezhsky, Dalnevostochny
Morskoy, Zhigulevsky, Lazovsky, Laplandsky, Sayano-Shushensky, Taimyrsky,
Teberdinsky, Ussuriysky, Khakassky, Khingansky, Khopersky, Tsentralno-Lesnoy
and Shulgan-Tash.
V. B. Stepanitsky,
Deputy Head
Department of Environmental Protection and Ecological Safety
Ministry of Natural Resources
