for a living planet ® WWF-Russia 2005 Contents 3 Address of CEO WWF-Russia 4 What is WWF? 4 Where and how does WWF work? 5 WWF in Russia 6 Forest Programme 7 Marine Programme 8 Climate Programme 9 Conservation of Biological Diversity 10 TRAFFIC Programme 11 Work in Specially Protected Nature Areas 12 “Greening” the policies of the Oil and Gas Sector 13 Conservation Policy 14 WWF in Central Asia 15 Success Stories 16 Voluntary FSC Forest Certification: Russia is among the First! 17 In search of the leopard 18 We saved Perevoznaya bay! 19 The Role of Individuals in the History of “Ergaki” Natural Park 20 A story of one letter 21 Tracks in the snow 22 A chance for Sakhalin 23 The sky through a cage, or “Do you have a seal on your tail?” 24 2006 Without Caviar! 25 Living water for Tigrovaya Balka © WWF-Russia / Ivan Tabakaev 26 BUSINESS FOR NATURE ! 28 TOGETHER WE ARE A GREAT FORCE! 31 Income & Expenditure 32 Thank you, “Earth Keepers”! 34 Working together 36 Informational Support Annual report 2005 WWF Respectfully yours, Dear Friends! Igor Chestin CEO WWF-Russia © WWF-Russia / Vladimir Filonov The year 2005 was mostly a joyful one Before the New Year, we announced the was adopted by the government in the adopted, which evoked sudden criticism for us. Thanks to the support of our start of a campaign to convince Russian beginning of 2006. We hope that the from civil society, including from the Pub- members, who joined the fight to move consumers to reject black caviar, as more long-awaited national parks in the Rus- lic Chamber. On one hand, the President the end terminus of the Eastern Sibe- than 90% of it is harvested by poachers sian Far East will also be created in 2006. of the Russian Federation made an ria-Pacific Ocean Pipeline away from who have already undermined sturgeon announcement on November 4, a Rus- Perevoznaya Bay in Primorsky Region, populations. The governor of Astrakhan My nomination by the Russian Bird Con- sian holiday – the Day of Consent and and thanks also to the principled position Region and many other well-known servation Union to the Public Chamber Reconciliation – about the Year of Char- of Russian scientists and public organiza- people have supported us. It will take a of the Russian Federation recognises ity; on the other hand, a law was adopted tions, our position on this issue prevailed. united stand by the public to decrease WWF’s contribution to nature conser- that virtually blocks all such activity. As a The result of our 18-month effort was a demand for these poached products. vation and to the development of civil result, a number of charitable organiza- negative environmental impact assess- Then the gradual restoration of sturgeon society in Russia. Although its future role tions, particularly international organiza- ment finding which was approved in to sustainable levels will allow us to again in the life of our country has not yet been tions, seriously began to examine cutting January 2006. give caviar a place on our holiday tables. entirely determined, this is, certainly, one programmes in Russia. more platform for advancing our ideas. As a result of three years of research To celebrate the 100th Gift to the Earth, Of course, much will depend on how the conducted by WWF in the Caucasus, the which was presented by Krasnoyarsk Unfortunately, last year was notable not new legislation will be applied in practice; status of the Persian leopard was evalu- Region, His Royal Highness Prince-Con- only for its happy events. In November, however, we are confident that WWF has ated and paths for its restoration were sort Henrik of Denmark, President of we lost our friend and teacher, the first worked, is working, and will continue to outlined. A programme for the reintro- WWF-Denmark, came to Moscow and chairman of the WWF-Russia Council, work in our country. The growing number duction of the species is currently being Krasnoyarsk. During his visit, Russia’s Nikita Glazovsky, who passed away of members and Russian companies prepared jointly with the government. Ministry of Natural Resources made an unexpectedly at the age of 59. It will be which provide us with both moral and The leopard will become a symbol for our announcement about resuming, after a difficult to find a replacement for this financial support, have inspired us with work in the Russian Caucasus, where in six-year interruption, the creation of new energetic, joyful, and dedicated man. this confidence. 2005, we opened a new office. federal strict nature reserves (zapoved- Thank you! At the end of the year, during the course niks) and national parks. A resolution of one month, amendments to the laws concerning the creation of Russia’s 101st “On public associations” and “On non- zapovednik (Kologrivsky Les Zapovednik) profit organizations” were unexpectedly WWF Annual report 2005 What is WWF? WWF, the global conservation organization, is one of the largest non-governmental nature conservation organizations in the world. It was established in 1961 thanks to the enthusiasm of a small group of people concerned about nature. Over the course of its work, WWF has grown into a large influential conservation organization, and today the panda, our famous logo, is recognized by millions of people in the most remote corners of our planet. WWF implements close to 2,000 projects annually in more than 100 countries around the world. Our main goal is saving nature while working with people. This is why representatives of indigenous peoples, business, other NGOs, government bodies, and, of course, our nearly 5 million members are among WWF’s many part- ners. Without them, our successes would not be possible. © WWF-Russia / Vasiliy Solkin © WWF-Russia / Vasiliy Global 200 Main Programmes Where and WWF specialists have determined more than 200 top There are more than 50 WWF offices around priority ecological regions (the Global 200), which are the world today. Our main programmes are aimed how does the habitats of the Earth’s rarest plant and animal at preserving forests, seas, freshwater habitats, species. If ecological balance is maintained in these and rare flora and fauna species, as well as prevent- regions, it will be possible to protect 95% of the ing global climate change and combating toxics. WWF work? planet’s biological diversity. Having geographic priori- In Russia, WWF also devotes particular attention ties allows WWF to concentrate funding in these to work with the oil and gas industry and the crea- crucial regions. In Russia, there are 19 of these eco- tion and support of federal strict nature reserves logical regions, or ‘ecoregions’. Particularly valuable (zapovedniks), national parks, and other specially among them are the Amur River basin, Kamchatka, protected nature areas. the Altai-Sayan, the Southern Urals, the Caucasus, the Barents Sea, the Bering Sea, and the Sea of Okhotsk. Annual report 2005 WWF WWF in Russia WWF began its work in Russia in 1988, with a project to protect the nature of the Lower Volga. In 1989, © WWF-Russia / Vladimir Potansky WWF-Germany helped organize the first biological expedition to the Taimyr Peninsula, where Bolshoi Board of WWF-Russia The Board of WWF-Russia is entrusted with approving WWF’s strategy Arktichesky Zapovednik, the largest strict nature reserve for nature conservation, the basic direction of our work, and our annual budget. To our deep regret, Nikita Glazovsky – the first Chairman of the in Eurasia was created in 1993. The reserve, which covers Board of WWF-Russia, Member-correspondent of the Russian Academy more than 4 million hectares, is the size of Switzerland. of Sciences, and Deputy Director of the Institute of Geography within the Russian Academy of Sciences – passed away in November 2005. It is impossible to overstate Nikita Glazovsky’s contribution to nature conservation in Russia and to the formation of our organization. WWF-Russia was established in 1994, and registered as a national organization in 2004. In just over ten years, Alexander Gafin Acting Chairman of the Board of WWF-Russia, Member more than 150 projects have been implemented. In order of the Board of Directors of Alfa-Bank. for our nature protection work to proceed more effectively, Igor Akimov General Director of the TetraPak company. we opened offices in those regions that are most important Vladimir Pozner Television journalist, President for nature conservation and invited the best local specialists of the Academy of Russian Television. Nikolai Drozdov Professor, Doctor of Geographic to collaborate with us. It is thanks to them that the nature Sciences, Host of the Television show “V mire zhivotnikh” (“In the World conservation movement is going strong, and it is they who, of Animals”). in many regards, determine WWF’s success in Russia. Derk Sauer General Director of the Independent Media publishing house. Hartmut Jungius Advisor to WWF International. Hans Voortman Former Director of WWF-Netherlands. WWF Annual report 2005 R he Forest Programme T Gun The WWF-Russia Forest Programme conducts its projects in those regions that are richest in forests, where the interests of the timber industry are also concentrated – a situation that often leads to acute nature conservation problems. Today, our primary goal is to develop an © WWF-Canon / Michel ecologically responsible forest policy in Russia, which will facilitate both nature conservation and the development of sustainable forest use. Threats • Every year in Russia, nearly a half million hectares of virgin forest • A working group, created in Arkhangelsk Region upon are logged. Up to 30% of the total volume of logging is illegal. WWF’s initiative, united representatives of regional authori- • Clear cut logging, fires, and climate change is destroying the highly ties, scientists, timber industry professionals, and ecolo- valuable forests of the Russian Far East and Caucasus; fewer highly gists to develop methodology to identify and preserve the productive forests remain in the European part of Russia.