Description of the attraction
The federal budgetary institution "State Nature Reserve" Kostomukshsky "includes two specially protected natural areas - the reserve" Kostomukshsky "and the national park" Kalevalsky ". The reserve was founded in 1983, is located in the Republic of Karelia and is located along the border with Finland, the area is 49, 2 thousand hectares. Since 2015, the Kalevalsky National Park, which was founded in 2007, has become a part of the reserve, its area is 74, 3 thousand hectares. The park is located 60 km. northwest of the reserve, it borders on Finland. The territory of the reserve and the national park - comfortable conditions for animals, transparent lakes, centuries-old forests, clean air.
The science
The fauna and flora of the reserve is very diverse - 137 species of birds, 37 species of mammals, 11 species of fish live here, about 400 species of plants grow. The Science Department deals with winter animal registration and environmental monitoring, using modern technologies such as geographic information systems and camera traps. Also, researchers conduct international research and expeditions, organize summer and winter student practices, participate in international grants.
The national park is home to 37 species of mammals, 141 species of birds, 9 species of fish, and about 700 species of plants. The territory of the national park is a habitat and refuge for a significant number of rare and endangered bird species such as red-throated loon, whooper swan, gray crane, eagle owl, black kite, golden eagle, peregrine falcon and many others. All of them are included in the Red Book of Russia, Karelia and Finland. To preserve biological and landscape diversity, the department employees develop and implement scientific methods of nature conservation and environmental education, carry out research work and carry out environmental monitoring.
Security
The protection regime of the reserve and the national park is different. The purpose of creating the reserve is to preserve the laws of nature on the territory, so that nothing interferes with the life of animals. The national park was created in order to preserve places of pure nature for people to relax. Therefore, in the national park you can fish, pick mushrooms and berries, make fires and move around the territory on your own (if you have a pass). In the reserve, all of the above is prohibited. The ecological routes and trails can only be visited with a guide. In order to suppress violations of the protection regime of the reserve and the national park, the department employees daily patrol the territory on foot, in boats, cars and snowmobiles, as well as with the help of quadcopters, replenishing the photo and video archive of the department. Also, the tasks of the department are to carry out fire-prevention and forestry activities, accompanying visitors and excursion groups on the territory of the reserve.
Environmental education
The department has been operating since 1994 and covers all kindergartens, schools and out-of-school organizations in the city. More than 3000 children take part in the activities of the reserve every year. For visitors to the reserve, the department's employees have developed various lessons, games, excursions, videos about nature and animals, master classes, contests and quizzes. Anyone can get acquainted with the reserve and the national park by visiting an interactive exhibition at the reserve office. The exhibition tells about the life of animals, the laws of nature, about how, before technological progress, people coexisted harmoniously with nature, about what needs to be done so that the environment is clean and our life is comfortable. In the cinema, you can watch a video about the animals of the reserve.
Tourism
For visitors to the reserve and the national park, excursion routes have been developed, visiting which you can get acquainted with the unique nature of the region. Rafting routes on the Kamennaya lake and river, hiking along the “In the fairy forest” route are of great interest every year. For those who are not ready for a long stay in the forest, there is an ecological route "Korobeynikov's Trail" - in a couple of hours, telling about the customs and traditional way of life for these places, introducing the typical nature of Karelia. A popular hiking spot is the Amazing Nearby trail. It is located around the reserve office and is available for visiting at any time.
The international cooperation
The Kostomukshsky reserve is one of four in Russia that has international status. On October 26, 1989, an Agreement was signed on the establishment of the Russian-Finnish nature reserve "Druzhba". The developed programs allow colleagues from abroad and domestic specialists to exchange experience in the operation of environmental protection systems in Russia and abroad. The Kostomukshsky reserve takes an active part in international and Russian projects.
On July 14, 2017, the Metsola biosphere reserve was created, which included the territories of the Kostomukshsky nature reserve and the Kalevalsky national park. The territory of the reserve covers places of great cultural and historical importance. In the 1800s, more runes and songs were collected on the land now belonging to the planned Metsola biosphere reserve, which later formed the basis of the world famous Karelian-Finnish epic Kalevala.
Biosphere reserve "Metsola", first of all, is a tool for involving local residents in the management and development of the territory, an opportunity for more fruitful cooperation with colleagues from Finland.
You can find out about all the news in the areas of work of the reserve and the national park on the official website of the reserve or in the newspaper "Zapovednye trails".
On a note
- The visit center of the Kostomuksha Nature Reserve: Republic of Karelia, Kostomuksha, st. Priozernaya, 2
- Official site: kostzap.com
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Phone: 8 911 664 53 04
