ABOUT us

In 1995,

a work group "Baltic fund for Nature" was organized within the St. Petersburg Naturalists' Society

History

In 2000, BFN still being a part of St. Petersburg Naturalists' Society, became the first member of IUCN from St. Petersburg and Leningrad region. In 2002, the work group "Baltic Fund for Nature" separated from the St. Petersburg Naturalists' Society to form an independent organization. A new Inter-regional Charitable Public Organization "Biologists for Nature Conservation" was established, however an informal name "Baltic Fund for Nature" has been kept to stress the continuity between the two.

Carrying out its mission, Baltic Fund for Nature promotes the development of a network of protected areas in the North-West of Russia and international cooperation in the field of the conservation of biodiversity and unique ecosystems of Baltic region.

Rustam Sagitov
(1950-2018)

Rustam Sagitov was born on October 1, 1950 in Samarkand to a family of University professors. His father was a renowned Zoologist, his mother was a professor in the school of Medicine. Rustam has chosen to follow the steps of his father. In 1972, he graduated from the Moscow State University where he specialised in Zoology. After his graduation, Roustam spent three years in Novosibirsk Biological insiture of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR studying migratory and nesting behaviour of waterfowl. In 1975, he became a doctorate student at the Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) State University. His scientific supervisor was Alexei Malchevskii, the head of the Vertebrate Zoology department and an eminent ornithologist. Rustam soon became one of Malchevskii's most gifted and promising students and disciples. Upon receiving his Ph. D. in 1979, he joined the faculty for Biology at Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) State University. Over many years of his professorial duties he supervised more than thirty M. S. and three Ph. D. dissertations.

Goals

Promoting the practical application of research results and involving scientists and practitioners in the implementation of international environmental projects in the North-West Russia

Promoting and supporting the development of environmentally friendly and sustainable forms of farming and, in particular, environmentally friendly agriculture and fishery in the North-West of Russia

Supporting environmental education in the region, including the development of eco-tourism

Cooperating with governmental agencies and local authorities, exchange of environmental information, provision of advice and assistance in the development of strategies and action plans for the conservation of biodiversity

Expanding the network of protected areas in the North West of Russia