The Ecological Cooperation Project is the first large-scale children's network project in Russia. This project was founded on the principles of development and achievement of widespread nature awareness among Russian school children through the establishment and unification of numerous childrenтАЩs ecological projects.
The Ecological Cooperation Project was established in 1997. The Project currently involved the collaboration of 141 childrenтАЩs ecological organizations. The various participants are from 52 regions of Russia, Belarus, and the Ukraine. More than 3500 school children (1-11 forms, age from 7 to 17) and more than 270 teachers are participating now in this Project.
The activities of the Ecological Cooperation Project bring together adults and children to study and conserve nature, and to create and exchange information for the best possible ecological education. The Project also supports the development and introduction of new and innovative teaching methods. One of the goals of the program is to promote international consolidation of other similar organizations.
The complex ecological investigations in nature are the basis of the Project. There are six main branches of ecological research involved in this project:
-Botanical Research
-Zoological Research
-Hydrobiological Research
-Monitoring for land ecosystems
-Soil Research
-Nature Protected Areas
The connection of pupils and teachers, consultation of curators, discussion of ecological problems and ways for their solving, network competitions ("My blue bird", "Galactic experts") are realized through the Ecological Cooperation web forum. All-Russian conference of children's ecological works "Children will conserve the nature of Russia" is carried out with success on the web site on November-December every year. The materials of this conference are published in the "Bulletin of Ecological Cooperation Project".
A large part of this project is devoted to support of children's nature conservation work. Between 1997 and 2001, participants in the Ecological Cooperation Project carried out more than 300 activities, as steps towards protecting the environment. Some examples of these are the erection of nature monuments, the compiling and drafting of ecological maps in several cities, cleaning of dumping grounds, the planting of trees and shrubs, the re-introduction of rare plants, the participation of children in public campaigns for nature protection and the creation of videos, posters, and pamphlets geared towards environmental education for the public.
The Institute of Soil Sciences of Moscow State University and the Russian Academy of Sciences, in which the Project Center is located, provides financial support for the Ecological Cooperation Project. The staff of the Center consists of skilled specialists whose aims are environmental education and enlightenment, as well as computer technology. The leader of the Project is Marina Rykhlikova, a doctor of biological sciences, and the scientific collaborator of Institute of Soil Sciences MSU-RAS.
The Ecological Cooperation Project collaborates with educators and specialists in Moscow and at other state universities. Additional partners are the Center of Wild Nature Protection, the Yaroslavl Center for Long Distance Education, the Foundation for Agrarian Development Research, the Ministry of Nature Resources, regional committees for ecology and education, Russian Nature Reserves and National Parks, and several other organizations for ecological education throughout Russia.
The Project is open for cooperative learning, and any childrenтАЩs ecological organization or group is welcome to participate. To become involved, simply fill out a questionnaire. It is advisable to visit our web site and to inquire via e-mail. Those who are temporarily disconnected from e-mail will not be penalized and will not be excluded from the Project. The Project has a vested interest in broadening ties with ecological funds and grassroots organizations that may cooperate and provide support, and participate in collaboration and sponsorship.
Contacts:
E-Mail: ecocoop@online.ru
http://www.ecocoop.ru
Russia, Moscow 119899, Vorobjevy Gory,
Institute of Soil Sciences MSU-RAS
Tel: (+7 095) 939-37-74
Fax: (+7 095) 939-37-74
The following sponsors support this web site:
The Federal Ecological Fund
The Institute for Sustainable Communities
The United States Aid for Developing Countries
The Foundation for Agrarian Development Research
The Institute of Soil Sciences MSU-RAS