#14 - JRL 8167 - JRL Home
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 2004
From: Susan Cutting <susancutting@igc.org>
Subject: Altai Conservation Volunteers
Altai Conservation Volunteers
July 25 - August 16, 2004
This summer, come to the Altai region of Southern Siberia! Take part in service work at two parks as well as a 5-day back-pack in a remote wilderness area. Experience one of the jewels of the Siberian wilderness and its ancient cultures.
The Itinerary:
Altai Conservation Volunteers will fly as a group to Moscow, then Barnaul, capital of the Altai Krai and travel by bus south into the Altai Republic. We will visit and do volunteer service work such as minor construction or trail-building at two protected areas: Karakolsky Nature Park and Chui-Oozy Nature Park. We will also have the opportunity to do some backpacking, visit ancient petroglyph sites and meet with local conservation leaders. The group will return through Barnaul and Moscow.
About the Organizations and Guides:
The Russian Environmental Partnership Project (REPP) has been collaborating with Siberian environmental organizations for over a decade. The aim of the project has been to help Altai environmental and indigenous leaders protect their wilderness and traditional lands through professional exchanges, service projects and providing additional support for their work.
Susan Cutting, Director of the Russian Environmental Partnership Project (formerly a project of Sacred Earth Network) has been organizing cultural exchanges and environmental support programs in Russia for over 15 years. She is fluent in Russian and very knowledgeable of environmental issues and leaders of southern Siberia.
Colin Garland is the founder and president of the Global Classroom (www.globalclassroom.net), a non-profit organization that is protecting rainforest in Costa Rica and implementing volunteer service projects in Baja Mexico. Colin has 20 years experience as a wilderness guide, outdoor educator and ecotour operator.
About the Altai:
The Altai links Russia with Kazakhstan, China, and Mongolia, and is home to ethnic Russians, Muslims, and indigenous people of many tribes. It contains a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 6 federally protected territories, 120 natural monuments, and a growing number of regionally designated nature parks. The global significance of the area is indisputable. The Altai's ancient monuments-burial mounds, petroglyphs, standing stones erected 6,000-8,000 years ago-are not only a fundamental part of local indigenous culture, but can also be a source of inspiration and education. The wild river valleys and snow-capped peaks, habitat for snow leopards, Argali sheep, and other threatened species, serve as a rare remnant of nearly untouched mountain wilderness territory.
Cost:
$2750 including airfare from JFK International Airport. Russian Visa processing fees will cost an additional $150.
Volunteer Qualifications:
- Interest in international conservation and contemporary and ancient indigenous cultures
- A willingness to travel long and far by plane and bus
- Comfortable living in tents, very low key hotels, or yurts and eating simple food.
- Russian language and/or basic construction skills are a bonus but not required
This program is co-sponsored by the American Association for the Support of Ecological Initiatives and the Expeditionary Learning Program of Marlboro College.
For an application form and more information contact Susan Cutting at SusanCutting (at) igc.org, or check the website at www.globalclassroom.net. For information on applying for a partial scholarships for students, contact the American Association for the Support of Ecological Initiatives at http://www.wesleyan.edu/aasei/internships.htm.
Susan Cutting
Russian Environmental Partnership Program
93 Glasheen Road
Petersham, MA 01366
(978) 724-0079
susancutting@igc.org.