Astrakhan Nature Reserve. Photo: Fedor Lashkov, participant of the RGS's contest "The Most Beautiful Country"
The Russian Geographical Society announces the launch of the first competition in 2025 for participation in the ecological and educational camp of the project «Nature Reserve Management of the RGS». From June 25 to July 1, we invite you to go to the Astrakhan Nature Reserve to help conduct scientific research and protect the natural resources of our homeland.
To participate in the competition, you must fill out an application. Applications will be accepted until May 15, 2025. The RGS will provide accommodation, meals, a transfer from the meeting location to the reserve and back, souvenirs and an eco-educational program for the winners of the competitive selection. Details can be found on the website of the Youth Movement of the Russian Geographical Society.
The meeting place of the project participants is the city of Astrakhan. The objectives of the project will be scientific research in the field of ichthyology, soil science, and biogeography, acquaintance with local natural complexes, assistance with chores and coverage of the Astrakhan Nature Reserve.
We are looking for specialists in the field of ichthyology, soil science, geography, botany, biology, ecology, ornithology, chiropterology (the study of bat-winged mammals), as well as media volunteers.
Requirements for participants: ages 18 and up, readiness for physical work, discipline, ability to work in a group. Media volunteers must be ready to transfer the footage (including the original and edited videos) to the RGS within the time period specified by the curator of the project, while preserving copyrights.
Astrakhan Nature Reserve. Photo: Fedor Lashkov, participant of the RGS's contest "The Most Beautiful Country"
The Astrakhan Nature Reserve was established in 1919 to preserve waterfowl and near-aquatic birds, the barbaric extermination of which in the early twentieth century led to the almost complete extinction of many species. Now it covers an area of 67,920 hectares and consists of three areas in the Astrakhan Region: Damchiksky, in the western part; Trekhizbinsky, in the central part; and Obzhorovsky, in the eastern part of the lower reaches of the Volga delta. Thanks to conservation measures in the reserve, it was possible to restore the abundance of many species of plants and birds, including the lotus and great white heron, which have become symbols of the Astrakhan Reserve and are depicted on its emblem.
The project participants are recommended to be vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis (or to have insurance).
The volunteers will live in an expedition house with a bathroom and a kitchen. Meals will be served in the canteen on the territory of the ranger station.
An eco-educational program awaits the volunteers, which includes workshops in the field of nature conservation (working with a motor pump while extinguishing reed fires), a fire safety quest, an auction game, educational events in the field of media and tourism.
Please note that the fare to the meeting place of the group is paid by the participant themselves.
Astrakhan Nature Reserve. Photo: Elena Polyakova, participant of the RGS’s contest "The Most Beautiful Country"
The ecological and educational project «Nature Reserve Management of the RGS» is aimed at popularizing, studying, and preserving unique natural objects in specially protected natural territories of Russia by involving young people in environmental volunteerism, introducing them to the culture of ecology and careful treatment of nature. The project brings together young scientists, students, and caring people over the age of 18.