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O L O N I A
the series of environmental projects
WWF
Sweden,
Baltic Fund for Nature,
Karelian Research
Center of RAS,
Ancient City Fund (Olonets)
The series of environmental projects under the joint name Olonia has been initiated in Olonets district of Karelia in late 90-th by several non-governmental organizations (WWF Sweden, Baltic Fund for Nature and Ancient City Fund) in cooperation with Karelian Research Center. Later on the project was also supported by the Government of the Republic of Karelia.
The initial aim of the project was to conserve the largest in Northern Europe stopovers of migratory geese on the Olonets fields. It turned to be possible only through supporting environmentally friendly ans sutainable development of agriculture in this traditional Karelian granary land.
Rural life has always been based on rational use of natural values and their conservation for future generations. Further economical and social development of ancient Olonia should undoubtedly be realized in harmony with beautiful local nature. Working for this idea the project suppoorts environmental awareness in the district, development of traditional handicrafts as well as nature and rural tourism. Joining-up efforts of local people for sustainable development is a key project's mission.
Olonia project includes 5 components:
Agriculture - development of nature friendly agricultural practices to maintain rural landscapes with rich biodiversity. Organisation of seasonal reserve for migrating geese.
Tourism - development of small-scale nature and cultural tourism, based on sustainable use of local natural values and providing additional income opportunities for local people.
Handicrafts - development of traditional local handicrafts, based on sustainable resources use and providing additional income opportunities for local craftsmen and artisans.
Environmental education - improvement of environmental education for school children - attraction of children's and teachers' attention to local nature, involvement of teachers in outdoor, hands-on environmental education.
Public awareness - Heighten local environmental awareness.
Dissemination of information about local natural values, need for their conservation and sustainable development principles.
Projects:
Improvement of agricultural practices in Eastern Ladoga (2000-2002)
Rural development in Olonets, Southern Karelia (2003-2004, 2005-2006)
 Vast agricultural lands surrounding old Karelian town Olonets are famous due to largest European aggregations of geese
during spring migration towards
their nesting areas in the Russian tundra. These fields are valuable habitats for many other bird species (ducks, swans, cranes, waders, gulls, doves
and pigeons, birds of prey, owls and passerines). This uncharacteristic for boreal zone landscape had been created by people lived in this area since olden times: they drained bogs,
enlarged natural meadows, started to grow grain-crops аnd vegetables and pasturer cattle. Traditionally Olonia has been one of the main agricultural districts in Karelia.
Because of economic difficulties after
the crush of Soviet Union necessary cultivation of the fields
has not been possible resulting in degradation with
lower grass quality and invasion of bushes. This also meant loss of habitat values for birds . The series of environmental projects under the name Olonia is aimed at sustainable development of Olonets area to secure valuable bird habitats on Olonets fields.
Long-term monitoring of migrating and nesting bird species on Olonets fields is realized by the ornithological group of Karelian Academy of Science, Scientific group leader Dr. Vladimir
B. Zimin
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