From the Tundra to the Sea of Okhotsk: KBSU employee Stanislav Kushchev participated in the Russian Geographical Society’s project «Protection Management»
Stanislav Kushchev, a senior lecturer at the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh. M. Berbekov and head of the Russian Geographical Society’s youth club «Mountain People,» has returned from two expeditions to the most remote corners of Russia. First, he visited the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, located beyond the Arctic Circle, and then the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk in the Magadan Region. Both trips were part of the Russian Geographical Society’s environmental education project «Protection Management.»
Beyond the Arctic Circle: the tundra that surprises
The first stop on the route was the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, a vast region located almost entirely within the Arctic Circle. Here, the last snow melts only at the end of July, and winter lasts 220–240 days. The district’s only nature reserve, the Nenets Nature Reserve, covers 362,000 hectares and is bordered by the Pechora and Barents Seas. Temperatures here drop to -46°C in winter and rarely exceed 15°C in summer. Yet, in these harsh conditions, stunningly beautiful plants bloom, thousands of birds nest, and marine mammals feel right at home.
The volunteers’ responsibilities included state monitoring of wildlife: conducting an avifauna census on the Russky Zavorot Peninsula, assessing accumulated environmental damage in the village of Khodovarikha, identifying areas littered by past economic activity, and assessing and cleaning up the peninsula’s northern shore with marine debris.
«I was drawn to the Nenets Autonomous Okrug by the opportunity to work beyond the Arctic Circle for the first time. Before the trip, I thought the tundra was a monotonous northern landscape. «But I saw something completely different: a multitude of plants, birds, and complex wetland ecosystems,» recalls Stanislav Kushchev.
Each shift was memorable in its own way. In the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, the warmest memory was an evening by the sea, when the entire team bid farewell to the short northern summer.
Magadan Region: Bears, Eagles, and the Sea of Okhotsk
From July 31 to August 7, Stanislav worked on the other side of the country—on the Koni Peninsula, a section of the Magadan Nature Reserve. A team of seven researchers from various regions of Russia became part of the protected area for a week.
«This region intrigued me with its remoteness and harsh nature. I wanted to see the Sea of Okhotsk, explore the protected areas, and gain new field experience,» says Kushchev.
The shift’s program was intense. The main objective was to count bear trails and observe brown bears in their natural habitat. Over the course of the week, the volunteers counted 20 animals of various ages. In addition, the participants collected and classified 301 pieces of household waste, joining the nationwide «Water of Russia» campaign to assess anthropogenic impacts on coastal ecosystems. The researchers collected 40 water and bottom sediment samples for laboratory analysis and also visited the nests of Steller’s sea eagles, the symbol of the Magadan Nature Reserve, comparing the number of chicks hatched in early July and August.
«In the Magadan Region, I was impressed not only by the nature but also by the people—open, hospitable, and truly loving their region. The most vivid impression was our encounters with brown bears—during the expedition, we saw about 20 animals in their natural habitat,» Stanislav shares.
Science, Team, and True Nature
The «Reserve Affairs of the Russian Geographical Society» project involves a rigorous competitive selection process: candidates undergo a multi-stage assessment before becoming part of the volunteer team. Scientists, environmentalists, and media volunteers from across the country are comprehensively studying and documenting life in protected areas.
«For me, participating in the RGS Reserve Project is an opportunity to contribute to the study of our country’s unique natural areas and gain experience that I can share with students. These expeditions allow you to see Russia from a completely new perspective and become part of real scientific work,» emphasizes Kushchev.
When asked how to describe his experience in three words, Stanislav answers without hesitation: «Discoveries. A team. Real nature.»
Having returned to Nalchik, Stanislav Kushchev is already making plans for new expeditions:
«I dream of going to Chukotka, and I’m also drawn to Kamchatka with its volcanoes and ocean.»
And to those just considering participating in the project, he advises:
«Don’t hesitate and definitely apply. RGS Reserve Project is more than just a volunteer project.» Here you can gain field research experience, meet specialists, see hard-to-reach corners of Russia, and become part of a team of people who truly care about nature.»
The environmental education project «Zapovednoe Delo RGS» aims to popularize, study, and preserve unique natural sites in Russia’s specially protected natural areas by engaging young people in environmental volunteering. The project brings together young scientists, students, and environmentally-minded volunteers aged 18 and over, encouraging them to engage in scientific research and respect for nature.