Polistovsky Reserve Visitor Center
Region
Asia
Country
Russia
Flyway
Black sea-Mediterranean flyway
Initiative
WLI Russia
About
Name of organisation
FGBU Polistovsky State Nature Reserve Polistovsky group
Funding support
Budgetary
Number of staff
5
Number of visitors per year
600 – 700
Overall aims of the centre
Environmental education of the population, primarily about the role of wetlands.
Description of the centre
The territory of the Polistovsky Reserve includes the western part of the Polistovo-Lovatskaya bog system, the Reserve is located in Bezhanitsky and Loknyansky districts of the Pskov region. The total area of the protected area is 55 134 ha, of which 37 837 ha is the territory of the reserve and 17 297 ha is the protected zone. The upper bog system of the Polistovsky Reserve is a unique, the largest in Europe natural filter of fresh water, regulator of the hydrological regime and climate of the North-West region of the Russian Federation, and also the only natural system counteracting the accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere by sequestering the absorbed carbon by plant communities of the bog and depositing it in the form of peat. The unique ecosystems of the Polistovsky Reserve's bog cenoses ensure the maintenance of biological diversity, including populations of a number of rare plant and animal species listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. Birds such as great crested plover, southern golden plover, medium crested plover, grey magpie, European black-throated loon, golden eagle, Central Russian white partridge live and nest here.
We hold classes with children in schools, various events and activities; work with visitors to the reserve, conduct excursions along trails and routes; interact with the local population, form partnerships and involve them in the development of eco-tourism in the territory. We conduct scientific research and monitoring.
The Reserve is of international conservation importance in accordance with the Telma programme (UNESCO), is included in the Ramsar Convention's Prospective List of Wetlands and has the status of a key ornithological area. The area is also an important reserve for migratory birds, the conservation and study of which is in line with the objectives of the Bonn Convention and the International Agreement on the Conservation of Migratory African-Euro-Asian Waterbirds (AEWA).
Work Areas
Main CEPA work area
- work with educational and cultural institutions of the Pskov region: nature protection actions and events, contests, holidays, eco-lessons for children and teachers.
- photo exhibitions of the Reserve in the cities of Pskov and Velikie Luki
- children's camps
- volunteer offers
- information printed materials are published and distributed
- work on establishing co-operative relations with the local community
- work with the general public through the website, groups in social networks, regular publications in regional mass media.
Top three successes
1. Polistovskaya Vesna’ photo expedition. We invited amateurs of nature photography, who lived in expedition conditions under the guidance of a professional photographer and learnt to work in nature;
2. Creation of author's excursions of residents of the village of Cevlo. The reserve acts as a methodological base, helps active residents to create a ready-made tour product and involve them in nature conservation activities. Today we have 4 author's excursions, meals with traditional local cuisine, souvenirs.
3. manga (comic book in Japanese style) ‘Guardians’. Talented employee of the reserve draws comics in a style popular among young people, telling in them about the upper bog and nature protection.
Top three challenges
Expertise
Interpretation techniques
Creating signage / site information; Producing written materials; Developing nature trails
Visitor centres
Setting up a new visitor centre; Running a visitor centre;
Participation
Engaging young people; Engaging the local community; Working with volunteers
Education and communication
Early years education; Delivering adult education; Working with primary schools; Lobbying / running campaigns; Working with secondary schools; Developing resources / materials
General
Auditing / assessing effectiveness; PR and marketing; Running effective administration; Health and safety; Fund-raising; Project planning.
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