Vera P. Chizhova
Department of Geography, Moscow State University
117234 Moscow Vorobyovy Gory
RUSSIA
TEL: (095)939-37-89, (095)120-81-23
FAX - (095) 932-88-36
Translated by Barbara Welling Hall
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN RUSSIAN NATIONAL PARKS
Environmental education is one of the main tasks of a National Park. This should consist of two tightly interconnected directions: training -- obtaining skills for the solution of nature preservation tasks, etc.; and upbringing -- learning to love all of life and nature.
The author, together with graduates of Moscow State's Geography Faculty, and with Elk Island associate, N.N. Butorina, developed a scheme for replacing the recreational priority of park use, a translation of all passively amusing recreation to actively consciousness-raising, while preserving only individual elements of the former direction. This comprehensive educational development plan for Elk Island National Park (Moscow and its near environs) may serve as a model for other parks.
Unfortunately, a series of financial, organizational, and legal obstacles impedes the introduction of such a program. The resolution of these problems would be a significant help in the formation of social consciousness in the field of ecology.
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