Below is a summary of our major activities since 1994:
Summer 1994
Provision of computer equipment and material donations to Laplandsky and Nizhnesvirsky Reserves.
Summer 1995
Pilot ecotours in both reserves.
Summer 1996
First annual student environmental research program conducted at Nizhnesvirsky Reserve during June and July. Participants included 3 Americans and 2 Russian university students who carried out field research with staff scientists in forestry and ornithology. Students also performed various work projects with the ranger staff. The six-week program began and ended with five days of cultural orientation in St. Petersburg.
Summer 1997
Student research programs expanded to three reserves including Bolshaya Kokshaga, Kostomuksha (near the Finnish border) and Nizhnesvirsky Reserves. Ten students participated with representation from Germany, Russia and the U.S.
Summers 1998 and 1999
Student programs continued at Bolshaya Kokshaga and Nizhnesvirsky Reserves. In June 1999 AASEI/Adonis also coordinated the visit of a group of foresters from Clemson University, S. Carolina, USA to Nizhnesvirsky Reserve. The purpose of their visit was to introduce GIS mapping techniques to the reserve staff.
Summers 2000-2007
For the past few years AASEI/Adonis has offered a combined student program at Laplandsky and Nizhesvirsky Reserves. In addition to acquainting students with Russian Protected Areas, an increasing emphasis was placed on cross-cultural understanding in an environmental context. To this end, students participated in a two-day conflictology program in St. Petersburg. The geographical representation of students was divided equally between Russia and the U.S./W. Europe.
