REVIEW OF ECOLOGICAL EDUCATION
IN RUSSIAN STATE NATURE CONSERVATION COMMITTEE RESERVES IN 1999
Ninety-six state nature reserves functioned in 1999 in Russia. In accordance with the current legislation, ecological education is one of the primary tasks of the reserves. In 43 reserves (45%), separate divisions specializing in ecological education functioned as independent departments (namely Azas, Altaisky, Baikalo-Lensky, Baikalsky, Bastak, Bashkirsky, Belogorie, Bolshaya Kokshaga, Bolshekhekhtsirsky, Bolshoy Arktichesky, Botchinsky, Bryansky Les, Bureinsky, Dagestansky, Dalnevostochny Morskoy, Darvinsky, Daursky, Kavkazsky, Katunsky, Kivach, Kostomukshsky, Kronotsky, Lazovsky, Laplandsky, Nurgush, Ostrov Vrangelya, Pechoro-Ilychsky, Poronaisky, Privolzhskaya Lesostep, Putoransky, Sayano-Shushensky, Sikhote-Alinsky, Stolby, Taimyrsky, Teberdinsky, Tungussky, Ubsunurskaya Kotlovina, Ussuriysky, Khakassky, Khingansky, Tsentralno-Chernozemny, Shulgan-Tash); in 27 reserves (28%) such divisions functioned as workgroups within other departments (namely Barguzinsky, Bassegi, Voronezhsky, Voroninsky, Verkhne-Tazovsky, Vishersky, Galichya Gora, Dzerginsky, Zhygulevsky, Ilmensky, Kabardino-Balkarsky, Kaluzhskie Zaseki, Kerzhensky, Komandorsky, Kurilsky, Mordovsky, Oksky, Olekminsky, Orenburgsky, Pasvik, Polistovsky, Severo-Osetinsky, Sokhondinsky, Khopersky, Tsentralno-Lesnoi, Chernye Zemli). On average, 3 persons were occupied in ecological education in each reserve.
Natural history museums functioned in 37 reserves (39%), namely Astrakhansky, Baikalsky, Barguzinsky, Bashkirsky, Belogorie, Bolshekhekhtsirsky, Verkhne-Tazovsky, Visimsky, Vishersky, Volzhsko-Kamsky, Voronezhsky, Voroninsky, Dalnevostochny Morskoy, Darvinsky, Dzerginsky, Zhygulevsky, Zeysky, Ilmensky, Kavkazsky, Kandalakshsky, Kivach, Komsomolsky, Kronotsky, Lazovsky, Laplandsky, Malaya Sosva, Mordovsky, Pasvik, Pechoro-Ilychsky, Prioksko-Terrasny, Sayano-Shushensky, Taimyrsky, Ussuriyski, Khopersky, Tsentralno-Lesnoi, Tsentralno-Chernozemny, Shulgan-Tash. A total of 158,202 visitors passed through the museums of the reserves in 1999. The most popular museums were those in Ilmensky (48,751 visitors), Kivach (24,320 visitors), Prioksko-Terrasny (10,450 visitors), Voronezhsky (9,173 visitors), Kavkazsky (9,110 visitors).
Thirty reserves (31%) have constant exhibitions either inside buildings or in open-air museums and institutions. Several reserves (Darvinsky, Zhygulevsky, Laplandsky, Sikhote-Alinsky, Khakassky) have more than one exhibition.
Fifteen reserves (16%) have centres for visitors, and 38 more (40%) have information points of other kinds, such as ecological centres, specially decorated rooms or “corners” inside buildings or in other institutes, etc. Several reserves have more than one point of this kind (Bolshoy Arktichesky, Katunsky, Orenburgsky, Privolzhskaya Lesostep, Taimyrsky, Khakassky, Khankaisky, Khingansky, Shulgan-Tash).
In 1999, experts from 87 reserves (91%) set up 475 exhibitions aimed at various audiences. Exhibitions of children's works (pictures, compositions, handicrafts from natural materials, ecological stories, fairy tales, publications etc.) have become traditional (43% of all the exhibitions). Much attention was given to photography exhibitions (21%); there were also specialized exhibitions on nature conservation and reserves (10%), of paintings by artists (10%), of environmental literature (9%) and others. Privolzhskaya Lesostep, Sayano-Shushensky, Taimyrsky, Khakassky, and Khopersky organized the most exhibitions.
Some reserves take advantage of their own “pet corners”, animal houses and aviaries in ecological education. Here visitors can see different animal species (Dalnevostochny Morskoy, Stolby, Taimyrsky, Teberdinsky, Tsentralno-Lesnoi, Khingansky reserves). Other reserves (Voronezhsky, Galichya Gora, Pechoro-Ilychsky, Oksky, Prioksko-Terrasny) use existing nursery gardens and farms with rare and valuable animal species for the same purpose.
Many reserves take an interest in arranging excursions and tours to their territory. Seventy-six of them (79%) have laid out ecological paths and routes for tourists within the reserve, the security zone, other natural protected zones or nearby territories. The average length of such paths and routes is about 57 kilometres per reserve. Equipping paths and routes with special means and locating them outside the reserves considerably reduces the recreational wear and tear in the protected areas.
Twenty-two reserves (23%) had ecological paths within the reserve, the security zone, other natural protected zones or nearby territories which were specially equipped or were being equipped in 1999: Baikalsky, Barguzinsky, Bassegi, Bashkirsky, Botchinsky, Bryansky Les, Volzhsko-Kamsky, Voronezhsky, Voroninsky, Kavkazsky, Kaluzhskie Zaseki, Kostomukshsky, Kronotsky, Kurilsky, Laplandsky, Nurgush, Ostrov Vrangelya, Stolby, Teberdinsky, Khingansky, Tsentralno-Lesnoi, Shulgan-Tash.
In 1999, 64 reserves (67%) were visited by organized tour groups. A total of 140,643 people visited the reserves; foreign tour groups totalling 5,057 people visited 47 reserves (49%). The following reserves were the most visited ones: Teberdinsky (34,619 persons), Kivach (32,600), Kavkazsky (31,857), Prioksko-Terrasny (10,450 persons). The following reserves were most attractive for foreign visitors: Kivach (1,309 persons), Komandorsky (580), Kurilsky (385) and Kronotsky (344 persons). Staff responsible for ecological education gave guided tours in 55 reserves (57%); the scientific research staff — in 52 reserves (54%), inspectors — in 13 reserves (14%); the staff of exterior organizations — in 11 reserves (11%).
Much attention was given to the work with mass media in 1999. For example, the number of the popular scientific publications by the staff of the reserves increased noticeably as compared to 1998. In 1999, the staff of 87 reserves (91%) published 2,040 articles. The following reserves were the most active here: Khakassky — 200 publications, Putoransky — 79, Laplandsky — 73, Prisursky — 53 and Sayano-Shushensky — 53 publications. At the same time, the staff of the Dagestansky, Tungussky and Tsentralno-Sibirsky reserves had publications in the press.
The number of publications in the national mass media has also increased: the employees of 37 reserves (39%) published 135 articles and news items. The staff of the following reserves succeeded best here: Taimyrsky — 13 items, Tsentralno-Lesnoi — 12, Khakassky — 12, Prisursky — 8 and Bryansky Les — 8 items.
The staff of 25 reserves (26%) appeared on national television 68 times. The staff of the following reserves were on the air most often: Taimyrsky (13 times), Khakassky (9 times) and Altaisky (5 times). The staff of 76 reserves (79%) participated in regional and local television programs 598 times. Of these, Khakassky (101 times), Volzhsko-Kamsky (29 times), Kuznetzky Alatau and Olekminsky (23 times) were the most successful here.
The staff of 10 reserves (11%) spoke 19 times on national radio in 1999; of these, the Oksky and Prisursky (3 times each), Baikalo-Lensky, Taimyrsky and Tsentralno-Lesnoi (2 times each) reserves were the most distinguished. As for regional and local radio, the staff of 38 reserves (40%) spoke on various stations 351 times. The most successful here were Khakassky (49 times), Voronezhsky (35), Khingansky (30), Kavkazsky (24) and Orenburgsky (12 times). On the other hand, Bassegi, Dzerginsky, Dzhugdzhursky, Zhygulevsky, Kaluzhskie Zaseki, Koryaksky, Polistovsky, Tsentralno-Sibirsky, Yugansky and Yuzhno-Uralsky did not speak on radio or television in 1999.
Fourteen reserves (15%) printed newsletters intended for the local population or contributed to such periodicals in 1999. This kind of activity was conducted by the following reserves: Bolshaya Kokshaga, Voroninsky, Katunsky, Komsomolsky, Nurgush, Prisursky, Rdeisky, Ussuriysky, Khakassky, Khingansky, Tsentralno-Chernozemny, Shulgan-Tash, and Yugansky. The newsletters of the following reserves had the largest circulation: Prisursky — 16,800, Khakassky — 7,500 and Nurgush — 1,000.
Supplements to regional and local newspapers were issued with the financial or professional support of 14 reserves (15%): Voroninsky, Daursky, Kurilsky, Lazovsky, Malaya Sosva, Nurgush, Oksky, Olekminsky, Putoransky, Sikhote-Alinsky, Sokhondinsky, Khakassky, Khankaisky and Shulgan-Tash.
Seven reserves (7%) had their own regular environmental columns in local and regional newspapers: Bolshaya Kokshaga, Bureinsky, Dzhugdzhursky, Poronaisky, Putoransky, Khankaisky and Khingansky.
At the same time, Tungussky and Tsentralno-Sibirsky didn’t work with any mass media at all.
Various kinds of advertising (boards, badges, stickers, ensigns, medals, notebooks, posters, decorative stamps, ceramic mugs, T-shirts and other souvenirs) were created by 18 reserves (19%): Bolshaya Kokshaga, Volzhsko-Kamsky, Voroninsky, Daursky, Kurilsky, Lazovsky, Oksky, Olekminsky, Orenburgsky, Pechoro-Ilychsky, Rostovsky, Sikhote-Alinsky, Stolby, Taimyrsky, Ust’-Lensky, Khakassky, Chernye Zemli , Shulgan-Tash.
Other kinds of advertising and information (leaflets, books, teacher editions, CD-ROMs, sheets, information packs, collections of children’s works etc.) were issued by 21 reserves (22%) in 1999: Baikalo-Lensky, Barguzinsky, Bashkirsky, Botchinsky, Visimsky, Voroninsky, Daursky, Zhygulevsky, Zeysky, Ilmensky, Kaluzhskie Zaseki, Kerzhensky, Kuznetzky Alatau, Kurilsky, Lazovsky, Laplandsky, Privolzhskaya Lesostep, Sayano-Shushensky, Sikhote-Alinsky, Ubsunurskaya Kotlovina, Khingansky.
Environmental scenes were filmed on the territory of 69 reserves (72%); most reserves have copies of these photo- and videomaterials.
In 1999 the staff of 12 reserves (13%) organized regular environmental seminars for schoolchildren. They included optional after-school lectures on ecology and nature protection, as well as work on introducing similar subjects into the school program. Such activity was carried out by the staff of the Barguzinsky, Belogorie, Bolonsky, Voronezhsky, Katunsky, Kronotsky, Olekminsky, Poronaisky, Privolzhskaya Lesostep, Rostovsky, Sayano-Shushensky and Taimyrsky reserves.
Single lectures on environmental subjects were given by the staff of 72 reserves (75%). They were mostly accompanied by the photo- and slideshows and videoplots about the reserve.
The staff of 35 reserves (36%) participated in school ecological conferences and seminars. Contests, quizzes and “olympiads” have become traditional. Schoolchildren of various ages participated in competitions of crafts from natural materials, compositions, pictures, research works, news articles, photography, etc. – a total of more than 338 projects and the involvement of 74 reserves (77%). Taimyrsky, Privolzhskaya Lesostep, Dzhugdzhursky, Ust’-Lensky and Khakassky organized the most competitions.
The staff of 47 reserves (49%) participated in the activities of various ecological groups (both those organized in the reserve and in outside organizations such as schools, centres for young naturalists, etc.). Ubsunurskaya Kotlovina, Sayano-Shushensky, Khakassky, Voroninsky and Katunsky were the most active here.
School field trips and expeditions lasting more than a day were organized within the territory of 28 reserves (29%). The staff of Tsentralno-Lesnoi, Shulgan-Tash, Komsomolsky and Pinezhsky reserves participated the most actively.
In 1999, ecological summer camps were held in 42 reserves (44%). The most distinguished here were Zhygulevsky, Tsentralno-Lesnoi and Voronezhsky.
In 47 reserves (49%) schoolchildren worked on the territory. They arranged artificial breeding sites for birds, cleared ecological paths, cleaned the territory, developed recreational zones, planted trees, etc. both inside the reserves and in nearby areas. Lazovsky, Sikhote-Alinsky, Dzerginsky, Teberdinsky and Tsentralno-Lesnoi were the most active in attracting schoolchildren to these kinds of activities.
Seventy-one reserves (74%) supported active cooperation with schools, contacted the teachers constantly, and helped them professionally. In 1999, conferences and seminars for teachers of biology, geography and ecology were organized with the active participation of the staff of 39 reserves (41%). Voroninsky, Khakassky, Bolshaya Kokshaga and Daursky were the most active in this area.
The staff of Barguzinsky, Putoransky and Olekminsky developed and delivered series of lectures on ecology, nature conservation and reserves for college and high school students. The staff of 24 reserves (25%) gave lectures for the local population. The staff of the Taimyrsky, Zeysky, Kavkazsky, Baikalo-Lensky and Kronotsky gave the most lectures.
The participation of the staff of the reserves in organizing various “round tables”, press-conferences, seminars, subject meetings etc. has become traditional. The following reserves took part in such kinds of activities: Khakassky, Lazovsky, Shulgan-Tash, Bashkirsky, Khankaisky, Malaya Sosva, Baikalo-Lensky, Khopersky, Kavkazsky, Zeysky, Ussuriysky and several others.
Last year all the reserves except Tsentralno-Sibirsky took active part in the March for Parks. Some reserves also organized activities on Earth Day (22 reserves), Birds Day (10 reserves) and several other ecological dates.
Public activities such as festivals, marathons, meetings, processions, concerts etc. were conducted on the ecological dates. The staff of the reserves, authorities, environmental activists and scientists gave speeches; special agitprop teams organized the shows. Amateur and professional performances, exciting theatrics, colourful decoration of the shows with the streamers, posters, balloons etc. gave emotional appeal to the actions. The public turned out, as did the mass media. The staff of Bashkirsky, Botchinsky, Daursky, Bolshaya Kokshaga, Barguzinsky, Baikalo-Lensky, Khopersky, Bryansky Les, Bassegi, Khakassky, Orenburgsky, Katunsky and Stolby participated the most actively here.
Seventy-nine reserves (82%) had contacts with non-governmental organizations — either regional or national ones. The NGOs rendered informational, organizational, technical and material aid to the reserves free of charge; their members worked in reserves as volunteers. The following reserves had the greatest number of non-governmental partners: Daursky (24), Kurilsky (16), Zhygulevsky (12), Prisursky (11), Khakassky (10).
In 1999 the employees of 37 reserves (39%) attended various seminars and courses.
The reserves possessed the following technical means for environmental education in 1999:
slide-projectors — 50 reserves (53%);
VCRs — 37 reserves (39%);
video cameras — 54 reserves (56%);
photo cameras — 57 reserves (59%).
In 1999, environmental education was conducted at the lowest level in Tsentralno-Sibirsky, Vitimsky and Tungussky. We call the attention of the heads of these reserves to this fact.
At the same time, the ecological education in the following reserves was the most comprehensive and effective in 1999: Bolshaya Kokshaga, Voronezhsky, Voroninsky, Dalnevostochny Morskoy, Daursky, Zhygulevsky, Kavkazsky, Kronotsky, Kurilsky, Lazovsky, Laplandsky, Olekminsky, Privolzhskaya Lesostep, Prisursky, Sayano-Shushensky, Sikhote-Alinsky, Taimyrsky, Teberdinsky, Ussuriysky, Khakassky, Khingansky, Tsentralno-Lesnoi and Shulgan-Tash.
This material was provided by the Department of Reserves,
State Nature Conservation Committee
