Polistovsky Reserve Visitor Center
Region
Europe
Country
Russia
Flyway
Black sea-Mediterranean flyway
Initiative
WLI Russia
About
Name of organisation
Visit Centre of the Polistovsky Nature Reserve
Funding support
Budgetary
Number of staff
5
Number of visitors per year
600+ / year
Overall aims of the centre
Ecological education of the population, first of all, about the role of wetlands
Description of the centre
The territory of the Polistovsky Reserve includes the western part of the Polistovo-Lovatskaya wetland system; the reserve is situated in the Bezhanitski and Loknianski 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 a protected zone. The Polistovsky bog system is a unique, the largest in Europe natural fresh water filter, regulator of hydrological regime and climate of the North-Western region of the Russian Federation, and also the only natural system counteracting the accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere by fixing the absorbed carbon by bog communities and its deposition as peat. The unique bog ecosystems of the Polistovsky Reserve provide maintenance of biodiversity including populations of a number of rare plant and animal species inscribed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. Birds such as the Eurasian Curlew, Southern Golden Plover, Whimbrel, Grey Shrike, European Black-throated Diver, Golden Eagle, and Ptarmigan inhabit and nest here.
We conduct classes with children in schools, various events and activities; work with visitors to the reserve, conduct tours along the trails and routes; interact with local people, form partnerships and get involved in the development of ecological tourism in the area. We carry out scientific research and monitoring.
The reserve is of international nature conservation importance in accordance with the Telma programme (UNESCO), is included in the Ramsar Convention's Wetlands Prospective List and has the status of a key ornithological area. The area is also an important migratory bird reserve, the conservation and study of which is in line with the objectives of the Bonn Convention as well as the International Agreement on the Conservation of Migratory African-Eurasian Waterbirds (AEWA).
Work Areas
Main CEPA work area
- Work with educational and cultural institutions in the Pskov Oblast: nature conservation actions and events, contests, festivals, eco-lessons for children and teachers
- Photo exhibitions of the Reserve in the cities of Pskov and Velikiye Luki
- children's camps
- voluntary offers
- informational printed materials are printed and distributed
- Establishing partnerships with local communities
- Promoting the Reserve to the general public through the web-site, social networking groups and regular publications in the regional media.
Top three successes
1. Photo Expedition "Polistovsky Spring". Invited amateurs of nature photography, who lived in expedition conditions and learned to work in the nature under the guidance of a professional photographer;
2. Creation of author's excursions of the villagers of Tsevlo. The reserve acts as a methodological base, helping active residents to create a ready-made tour product and involving them in nature conservation activities. Today we have 4 custom-made tours, meals from traditional local cuisine and souvenirs.
3. manga (Japanese-style comic book) "Keepers". A talented conservationist draws comics in a style popular with young people, telling the story of the high moor and nature conservation.
Expertise
Interpretation techniques
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.
Contact
Mikhail Yablokov, director. ymike@mail.ru, skype: mike.yablokov 182840, Pskov region, Bezhanitsy district, Bezhanitsy village, Sovetskaya street, 9B. Work phone and fax: +7 (81141) 22 391;
website address: http://polistovsky.ru
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