Currently, Karelia harbors quite a few federal-level protected areas (state nature reserves, national parks, etc.) and 146 regional-level PAs.
Olga Bakhmet, Director General of the Karelian Research Center RAS and Deputy Chairperson of the Environmental Council, informed that scientists at KarRC RAS have extensive experience in preparing substantiation papers for protected areas, have long been assisting in the conservation of natural heritage, handling administrative issues in PA operation, and popularizing the results of scientific research in PAs. For example, in the Kivach Nature Reserve, the Center's staff organized a number of test sites for the national climate monitoring system. The goal of this project is to study carbon pools and fluxes in forest, wetland and aquatic ecosystems as part of the creation of a unified greenhouse gas monitoring system.
At the same time, Olga Bakhmet added, the conservation and study of these natural areas should be aligned with economic development and involvement of PAs in the tourism infrastructure.
“Eco-tourism is now one of the most promising development paths in this sphere,” - said the Head of Karelia in his opening speech, adding that the tasks of involving natural destinations in the tourist infrastructure are set out in the new national project “Ecological Wellbeing” and in the regional program for ecological development of Karelia.
“PAs are to be streamlined with the region's economy, and Karelia can become a model area for the federal program for PA network development, including due to its tourist attractiveness and proximity to major metropolitan areas. The Karelian Research Center has concrete proposals for creating a network of tourist routes incorporating the region's PAs”, - said Olga Bakhmet to the members of the Council, suggesting to discuss this initiative in more detail at the next meeting of the Environmental Council on KarRC RAS grounds.
Photo: Respublika Information Agency/Oksana Kudryashova
KarRC RAS
in social media
in social media
News
May 14, 2025
KarRC RAS Director General Olga Bakhmet took part in a meeting of the Environmental Council under the Government of Karelia
The fourth meeting of the Environmental Council with the participation of the Head of Karelia Artur Parfenchikov took place today in Petrozavodsk. The topic of the meeting was the development of protected areas (PAs) in Karelia.
The fourth meeting of the Environmental Council with the participation of the Head of Karelia Artur Parfenchikov took place today in Petrozavodsk. The topic of the meeting was the development of protected areas (PAs) in Karelia.
See also:
June 26, 2025
Ice-related phenomena on rivers emptying into the White Sea now last three weeks less than 60 years before
Ice on northern rivers now forms later while ice-off occurs earlier. Karelian scientists confirmed this having analyzed 64 years of marine and meteorological data from the estuaries of rivers draining into the White Sea along its western coast. Climate change has bit three weeks off the ice-covered period on these rivers. The reductions have been the most significant in the last 30 years, aligning with global warming trends in Arctic water bodies.
Ice on northern rivers now forms later while ice-off occurs earlier. Karelian scientists confirmed this having analyzed 64 years of marine and meteorological data from the estuaries of rivers draining into the White Sea along its western coast. Climate change has bit three weeks off the ice-covered period on these rivers. The reductions have been the most significant in the last 30 years, aligning with global warming trends in Arctic water bodies.
June 23, 2025
Citizen science and web technologies help researchers study insects of Karelia
More than 30 insect species not encountered in Karelia previously have been revealed by entomologists from KarRC RAS during their expeditions and using data communicated by active participants of the iNaturalist portal – an open platform for collecting biodiversity data.
More than 30 insect species not encountered in Karelia previously have been revealed by entomologists from KarRC RAS during their expeditions and using data communicated by active participants of the iNaturalist portal – an open platform for collecting biodiversity data.
June 20, 2025
Application process for 2025/2026 Doctoral Studies started at KarRC RAS
On June 20, Karelian Research Centre RAS began accepting papers from applicants for its Doctoral Courses. This year, university graduates can choose from ten academic specialties in the STEM, natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences.
On June 20, Karelian Research Centre RAS began accepting papers from applicants for its Doctoral Courses. This year, university graduates can choose from ten academic specialties in the STEM, natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences.
June 17, 2025
An important phase of the KarRC RAS Director General election procedure completed
The Electoral Commission has summarized the results of the voting for the election of the Director General of KarRC RAS. The turnout exceeded 80% of the Center's employees. The majority of votes, 391, were cast for Alexander Kryshen, Director of the Forest Research Institute. Acting Director General Olga Bakhmet was supported by 252 voters, and Deputy Director General Yuri Zaika received 17 votes. The Electoral Commission documented these results in its report, which will be submitted to the HR Policy Department of the Federal Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The candidacies will now undergo the procedure of approval by federal agencies, after which the employment contract will be signed with the winner of the competition.
The Electoral Commission has summarized the results of the voting for the election of the Director General of KarRC RAS. The turnout exceeded 80% of the Center's employees. The majority of votes, 391, were cast for Alexander Kryshen, Director of the Forest Research Institute. Acting Director General Olga Bakhmet was supported by 252 voters, and Deputy Director General Yuri Zaika received 17 votes. The Electoral Commission documented these results in its report, which will be submitted to the HR Policy Department of the Federal Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The candidacies will now undergo the procedure of approval by federal agencies, after which the employment contract will be signed with the winner of the competition.
June 11, 2025
Posseidon research vessel is back from this season’s first integrated expedition
Employees of the Northern Water Problems Institute KarRC RAS completed an expedition around Lake Onego on board the Posseidon research vessel. The expedition covered 19 sites in bays, Central Onego, and Kizhi Skerries region. Scientists have sampled water for chemical and biological analyses.
Employees of the Northern Water Problems Institute KarRC RAS completed an expedition around Lake Onego on board the Posseidon research vessel. The expedition covered 19 sites in bays, Central Onego, and Kizhi Skerries region. Scientists have sampled water for chemical and biological analyses.