FOMP gainsinternationalrecognition

Amur delegates visit WI

by Kennedy Gilchrist

by Marina Kolodina

continued on page 7

SergeiTkachenko,

Head ofDistrict

Administra-tion for the

AmurRegion,

meetsWisconsin

Senator BobWelch

(right) asElena

Smirenskitranslates.

ZHURAVLFriends of Muraviovka Park

An Affiliate of the International Crane Foundation

February 2003

During early March 2002, inKushiro, Japan, an internationalmeeting of crane researchers helda workshop on “Environmental Ed-ucation and Ecotourism at CraneNetwork Sites in Northeast Asia.”Part of that scientific meeting in-cluded a public symposium that wasentitled “Towards the Conserva-tion of Cranes in Northeast Asia -Cranes Crossing Borders and Inter-national Cooperation.”

My wife, Heidi, and I weremembers of a group of Japaneseand American ecotourists travelingwith George Archibald (co-founderof the International Crane Founda-tion). Our group was scheduled toattend this symposium as part ofthe trip itinerary. The title of thesymposium concisely summarized acore activity at Muraviovka Park.So, on behalf of the Friends of Mu-raviovka Park, I petitioned to beallowed to make a brief presenta-tion about FOMP to the interna-tional audience of scientists, cranesanctuary managers, and interest-ed Japanese citizens. The Friendsof Muraviovka Park was going toshare the podium with speakersfrom Mongolia, The People’s Repub-lic of China, France, The Republicof Korea, and Japan!

Everyone on the Board of FOMPcontributed ideas and pictures in

The Amur delegation visitstarted on October 29, 2002. Par-ticipants included Mr. SergeiTkachenko (Head of Tambovka Dis-trict Administration), Mr. NikolaiZemlyanski (Journalist for AmurState TV), Mr. Sergei Shalagin (Mu-raviovka Park Deputy Director andDemonstration Farm Manager), andmyself (Muraviovka Park EducationProgram Coordinator). The sched-ule included political, agriculturaland educational meetings and wasdesigned so that the participantscould get acquainted to the busi-nesses that they deal with back inRussia. The itinerary was workedout by George Danner, Gene Robkin(Professor at University of Wiscon-sin, Baraboo campus), Elena Smi-renski (Program Assistant at Inter-national Crane Foundation), andBarb Thompson (President of“Friends of Muraviovka Park” and

West Salem School District OutdoorEducation Center Coordinator). Mr.Zemlyanski recorded the trip onvideo tape. There were specialmeetings organized for him at TVstation 19 of La Crosse and Chan-nel 3 of Madison.

The Russian team stayed atthe guest rooms of the Internation-al Crane Foundation. Transporta-tion was provided by volunteerdrivers George and Nancy Danner,Barb Thompson, Maya Valeyeva,and teachers who have been toMuraviovka Park.

Political Part The Amur Dele-gation got acquainted with SaukCounty Administration. They spenthalf a day on November 6 with Ad-ministrative Coordinator Gene Wie-gand sharing the experiences ofSauk County and Tambovka Districtgovernmental structure. Mr.Tkachenko was

continued on page 9

2

With care and attention from avariety of students and teachers, thesurvival rate for 15 species of treeseedlings reached 85%

Muraviovka Park 2002 UpdateBy Dr. Sergei Smirenski

continued on page 3

Construction. In 2002, thePark completed the following con-struction projects:

l Six cabins equipped withbunk beds and closets for 76 peo-ple (including mattresses, blanketsand towels);

l One cabin for in-door class-es;

l Dining shelter with kitchenand pantry;

l Shower facility (3 stalls)with water heater and water stor-age tank (3 ton capacity);

l Six outhouses;l A second grain storage facil-

ity including blacktop floor (500 sq.m); and

l A small woodshop facilityaround the sawmill (thus extend-ing the season of carpenteringwork almost two-fold).

Farm Machinery. We pur-chased a new hay rake and a usedwheel tractor that, together withthe John Deere planter and picker(brought to the Park in 2001) havesignificantly improved our farm op-eration.

Winning first prize in the “Stop the Fire”contest, 750 copies of the above posterwere distributed to schools and libraries.

Crop Testing. We test-ed several new varieties ofopen pollinated corn, 3 vari-eties of wheat, 2 varieties ofsoybean and 1 variety of alfal-fa. Some of these we will usefor commercial crop produc-tion in 2003.

Crop Production. Due toa rainy and rather cool sum-mer, the yield of small grain andhay was very high, while theproduction of corn was com-paratively low and of soybean- very low.

Publications. The firstbook about Muraviovka Park,“Hydrology, Flora and PlantCommunities” was preparedfor publishing and sent to theprinter in Khabarovsk.

Fire Suppression Pro-gram. The fall of 2001 and thespring of 2002 were extremely dryfor the fourth year in a row. Wildfires spread by high winds damagedover 60% of the breeding habitats,destroying bird nests and broods.At least two adult cranes weretrapped and killed by roaringflames. Three of our staff whowere fighting the fire barely es-caped with a few burns. Threetractors and a truck were damagedin this fire. In the fall, our staffplowed and disked over 30 km offire breaks.

Crane Flock. Over 150 cranesspent the summer in the Park, feed-ing on the lure crop started in 2001.30 hectares of lure corn were de-veloped in 2002 and attracted over450 cranes in the fall, as well asmany pheasants, roe deer, and oth-er animals.

Storks. Two nests of OrientalWhite Stork were broken by highwinds. We hand-raised one chickand transferred it to the Stationof Reintroduction of Endangered

Birds in Khinganski Reserve.Reforestation Program. Over

3 acres of tree nursery were devel-oped and over 6,000 seeds from 15species of trees and bushes wereplanted. Local school children andteachers, participants of summercamps, students and professors ofthe Agriculture University all gen-erously helped with the planting,weeding (4 times) and mulching.As a result, the survival rate forseedlings planted in the spring wasover 85%!

Summer Camps. Over 200 stu-dents from the Amur and PrimorskiRegions participated in seven ses-sions of summer camp. In lateJune, the first language (English/Russian) camp was initiated andorganized by Wisconsin volunteers(college students and teachers). Itwas a great success. In early July,the 8th Russian-American environ-mental education (EE) camp andteachers in-service targeted the

3

A teacher from China inspects the Park’s harvest of wheat during a Julyenvironmental education camp and seminar.

from page 2

Dr. Sergei Smirenski is a researcherfrom Moscow State University andDirector of Muraviovka Park.

middle school level. At the end ofthe camp the American and Russianteachers drafted a curriculum forthe Amur Region schools and sum-mer camps. In late July, 22 Chineseschool students and teachers, aswell as staff from Chinese naturereserves and State farms (locatedin Heilongjiang and Guizhou Prov-inces) participated in a Russian-Chinese EE camp and seminar. InAugust, the Park hosted 15 Univer-sity professors and students fromSeoul, South Korea. It was the firstRussian-Korean camp/seminar.These participants shared methodsof environmental education in highschools and universities from bothcountries. They discussed the sit-uation of migratory birds and op-portunities for long-term coopera-tion.

Children’s Art Project. ThePark organized two art contests inthe Amur Region. The poster, “StopThis Fire,” won first prize. It wasprinted in Blagoveshensk and 750copies were distributed amongschools and libraries in the region.

Special Events. In September,the Crane Fest and Fair became amajor cultural event in the regionand attracted many people fromBlagoveshensk City and the sur-

rounding villages. Participants en-joyed the Russian folk choir anddancing performance, special pre-sentations, and tours lead by localscientists. Children entertainedthemselves by becoming involvedin environmental games. The suc-cess of this Crane Fest promptedthe Tambovka District officials toorganize an official District Fair (thefirst since 1917!)

Center for Social Adaptationof Youth. Electrical, plumbing, sew-age, roof and other repairs in twoclass rooms were completed. Dur-ing the Crane Fest, some financialsupport was raised for the Centerthrough an auction, lottery andentrance tickets.

Public Relations. Throughmass media, many events andprojects of the Park became wellknown in the Amur Region. In De-cember, a weekly television pro-gram showing video tape and tak-ing listeners telephone calls, ex-plains about life in the UnitedStates, as seen through the eyesof Nikolai Zemlyanski ( a memberof the delegation that traveled toWisconsin in November).

International Exchange Pro-gram. A delegation of 4 Russian cit-izens from the region traveled toWisconsin to learn about American

health and social services, publiceducation and administrative activ-ities, as well as agricultural produc-tion and distribution. (Please re-fer to article by Marina Kolodina formore information) As a result ofthis visit, an initiative to establisha “sister county “ relationship withSauk County and Tambovka Districthas begun.

Park Sustainability. The dem-onstration farm and the woodshophave become important sources ofoperational funds. Cooperationwith the local community, with theDistrict Administration, with youthclubs and Universities in the Amurand Primorski Regions, continues tostrengthen. International supportfrom the U.S.A. and other countriesfor nature restoration, environmen-tal education and support of or-phans, grows each year.

Some important problems stillexist and should be solved in 2003:

lThe power line is not builtand District officials are continuingto push the Regional Administrationand Electric Power Company tofulfill their promises.

lThe van and jeep are brokenand continue to be out of opera-tion. The Park has become depen-dant on rented vehicles during thesummer, which is very expensive.Of primary concern is finding thefunds (about $16,000 US) to pur-chase a 24 passenger bus for trans-portation of children, teachers andvisitors.

lSome wildlife research andmanagement programs, as well as,some environmental educationcould not be conducted becauseof staff shortages. Funds need tobe raised for staff and for the con-struction of their living facilities,which will allow the Park to invitespecialists for permanent work.

lTo make the demonstrationfarm fully independent in grain andseed production, funds need to besourced for the purchase of grainharvesting and drying equipment.

4

Dr. Sergei Smirenski, founder and director of Mu-raviovka Park for Sustainable Land Use in Far EasternRussia, dreamed of finding a place in which people andwildlife could live together in harmony and at the sametime test new technologies and ideas for ecosystem pro-tection, environmental education, and sustainable land use.

Dr. Smirenski, born in Moscow in 1947, is a highlyregarded ornithologist from Moscow State University. Hehas traveled the world providing dynamic presentations onthe wonder of cranes and the importance of creating sus-tainable habitat for their survival. He has studied the prob-lems of taxonomy, behavior and ecology of birds and has aspecial interest in studying current status of bird popula-tions, especially of rare and endangered species.

Since 1970, Dr. Smirenski participated in and led over60 research expeditions to the Russian Far East and EastSiberia, as well as over 25 trips to the Central Asian statesof the former Soviet Union, Mongolia, China, Japan, SouthKorea, and India. He is the author of over 50 scientificpublications.

Sergei’s wife, Elena, is also a wildlife biologist and con-servationist. She is a full-time Program Assistant and AmurExpedition Coordinator with the International Crane Foun-dation (ICF). Elena has assisted Sergei in a number of expe-ditions and numerous public presentations.

Dr. Smirenski’s scientific research helped to developan idea about alternative ways for development in the AmurRiver Basin that benefits people, economy and wildlife. In1991, with the help from ICF, he founded the AMUR Pro-gram of the Socio-Ecological Union. He believes that nat-ural resources cannot be conserved simply by stoppingdevelopment. Conservationists must work with local gov-ernments and communities to find sustainable alternativesfor improving economic conditions. In 1993, in cooperationwith ICF and the Wild Bird Society of Japan, along withfinancial support from the Pop Group Corporation of Ja-pan, Sergei established Muraviovka Park for SustainableLand Use, the first non-profit, privately operated naturepark in Russia since 1917.

Under Sergei’s guidance Muraviovka Park has:l Preserved over 13 thousand acres of wetland and

agricultural lands;l Hosted International Environmental Education

Camps including participants from Russia,China, South Korea, and the U.S.;

l Established a demonstration farm of sustainableagriculture;

l Coordinated US/Russian teacher exchanges;l Maintained suitable habitat for the six species of

cranes and oriental white stork that use the Park;l Provided research opportunities for university

students;l Initiated an Independent Living Skill Center for

orphaned teenagers;l Hosted an International Youth Symposium on

Environmental Issues;l Involved local children in planting a tree

nursery;l Organized a Language Camp for Russian and

American students and teachers;l Initiated a mutual working relationship with

local communities; andl Planned teacher training workshops.

Dr. Sergei Smirenski and Elena Smirenski can ad-dress topics including: birds, endangered species, interna-tional issues and cooperation, sustainable land use and de-velopment, environmental education. They can adapt theirpresentation to your needs.

World Renowned ConservationistAvailable to Speak to Your

Organization

Dr. Sergei Smirenski

To book a presentation, contact Elena Smirenski at:

elena@savingcranes.orgTel. 608-356-9462 ext. 130

Fax # 608-356-9465

5

Every year, a few weeks prior to the beginning of the summer camp season, we have to face this lingeringproblem – how to bring Russian and American teachers and students to the Park. Local bus companies wouldsign a rental contract and even demand us to pay in full well before the actual day of service, – but several timesthey let us down and break the deal without notice, when this day comes. They always have a number of“good” reasons for not delivering the service and it takes months to get our money back. Now imagine that youare a birdwatcher who paid good money for the tour, traveled across the ocean, or from Europe, or from EastAsia to see all these beautiful birds in the middle of nowhere - and you have to spend two days in the citywaiting for the bus!

We are trying to expand our visitor program in response to the growing interest to the Park from –· summer camp participants who often come from afar and want to enjoy the Park’s wildlife and get

acquainted with the life of local villages;· teachers from schools around the Park who would like to bring their students for classes and excursions;· school students who would like to participate in the Park’s conservation activities; and· birdwatchers from all over the world!

But all our efforts to involve local communities in conservation activities, to develop ecotourism, and toexpand the environmental education programs are being hindered by the lack of reliable transportation. Our1990 Toyota van (8 people capacity) is too small and too old to shuttle groups of visitors from the city to thePark and back.

Dear friends, we need your help in raising $16,270 to buy a Russian PAZ bus (see photo) for MuraviovkaPark. This 24-passenger bus is designed for the Siberian rustic roads and equipped with comfortable seats.Now we have a heated garage in the Park, and our seasoned mechanics will be able to keep the bus in goodworking condition for a good number of years. To give you an idea, we have to pay over $1500 every summerjust to bus all the participants to and from the camp.

Muraviovka Park already has $3,000 US. Would you like to help us “assemble” a PAZ bus for the summer campseason 2003? Here’s the breakdown – please pick a part you would like to sponsor:

Help pave the way for the Park bus!

We hope that you will be able to add a part, big or small, to this bus assembly project, and also be amongits passengers sometime in the near future and enjoy the beauty of cranes, wetlands, and other natural trea-sures of Muraviovka Park!

Wheels (8): $90 each

Headlights (2): $100 each

Windshield: $200

Rear-wheel Drive &Differential: $600

Transmission & Shaft: $1,200

Side Windows (9): $50 each

Rear Window: $150

Chassis: $1,300

Seats (24): $50 each

Body: $5,100

Engine: $4,000

Doors (2): $200 each

Horn: $50

Electrical: $200

Interior Furnishings: $300Pneumatic Door System: $200

6

From day camp to South Koreaby Barb Thompson

Professors and graduate students from South Korea’s National University ofEducation join Russian colleagues during August environmental camp.

In 1994, a group of Ameri-can teachers traveled to Murav-iovka Park to conduct a day campprogram for Russian Children. I’llbet that there is not a teacherin that original group who couldhave guessed where Muraviov-ka Park’s education programwould be today. As the old ad-vertising slogan says “We’vecome a long way, baby...!” In1997, that day camp programturned into a sleep-over situa-tion (with tents) to insure thatchildren could attend camp ac-tivities, despite the poor roadconditions. Then in 2001, cab-ins with bunk beds were com-pleted and children could nowattend camp activities in dryclothes, despite rainy weather.

As camp facilities changed, sohas the educational impact. Teamsof American teachers still contin-ue to conduct environmental edu-cation camps for Russian children,but now these same educationalefforts have migrated across inter-national borders.

In 2000, a group of Chinesestudents from Heilongjiang Prov-ince attended camp at MuraviovkaPark. Russian and Chinese students

and specific issues, the U.S. andRussian students worked togetherto prepare a viable managementplan for Muraviovka Park.

In 2002, 15 professors andgraduate students from the Na-tional University of Education,South Korea traveled to the Parkand attended the environmentalcamp. They came to learn aboutquality crane habitat, its manage-ment and how to teach in a campsetting.

Other changes in the educa-tional activities at the Park oc-curred in 2002. Two groups ofAmerican teachers traveled to Mu-raviovka. One group was focusedon conducting the first English lan-guage camp (with an environmen-tal theme - please refer to articleby Jessie Thompson and Adam We-hling about this “first-time” activ-ity) and the other was dedicatedto the “now” traditional environ-mental education camp. A threeday teacher workshop was con-ducted prior to the traditionalcamp and, for the first time, Rus-sian and American teachers teamtaught the camps programs.

2002 saw the beginning of asequential K - 12 curriculum. Workon that will continue during thesummers of 2003 and 2004. It isexciting to see that the importanceof agricultural classes continues togrow and that the English camp wasso well received, it will continueto be a part of future program-ming.

From a single day camp pro-gram to ..... resident camp, Chi-

lived and learned together duringtheir week of fun-filled activitiesled by Russian teachers. This wasthe beginning of a four-year stu-dent exchange program betweenthe two countries, that includesalternating the camps betweenRussia and China.

In 2001, the first environmen-tal camp in the history ofHeilongjiang Province was conduct-ed by the Park’s team in ChanglindaoNature Reserve, China.

During the summer of 2003,American teachers will join Russianteachers in conducting an environ-mental education camp atChanglindao Nature Reserve. Thiswill be the first time all three coun-tries have come together to shareideas or concerns about environ-mental issues. A workshop forteachers will be held prior to thechildren’s programs.

The international aspect ofthe summer camps was furtherstrengthened in 2001 with the firstInternational Youth Symposium.American students traveled to Mu-raviovka Park and developed a dia-logue with Russian students aboutthe environmental activities ofeach group. After they becameacquainted with the Park’s habitats

JulymarkedthethirdRussian-ChineseEEcamp.

7

Sitting around the campfire, talking and sharingpictures of our families and friends, our home and ourschools; seeing the tears in their eyes and equally feel-ing the loss, as the camp ended; and then exchangingletters, after we returned home were all part of the

by Jessie Thompson & Adam Wehling

English is spoken in Russiapositive effect the first English language environmen-tal camp had on its instructors and participants.

Five American college students had a very uniqueand special opportunity to work closely with approxi-mately 40 Russian students at an English Camp, fo-cused on the environment, in Far Eastern Russia. Wewere able to discuss similarities and differences be-tween our countries, social problems in Russia andways in which Russians can positively impact theirenvironment. Now some may think that it was diffi-cult for us to communicate with the Russian students,but this was an English Camp, where students wereselected to attend based on their English abilities.We helped the Russians improve their speaking, read-ing, writing and grammatical skills in a 10 day camp.

The Russian students could easily identify withus because we were also students. We had similarinterests and hobbies: watching movies, listening tomusic, playing sports, and planning future careers. Weincorporated all of these similarities into our after-noon classes. It was our similarity in age that trulyallowed us to connect with the participants.

This extraordinary opportunity was beneficial toboth American and Russian individuals. The positiveimpact of these activities cannot be replaced. Planshave been made for more American students to teachand facilitate the entire English Camp in 2003. Wehope the English Camp will continue for many yearsinto the future.

Jessie Thompson is a sophomore at the Universityof Wisconsin - Madison where she is majoring in agricul-ture and applied economics. Adam Wehling is a senior atthe UW - River Falls, majoring in agriculture education.

preparation for my presentation inKushiro. We assembled an illustrat-ed series of summary points aboutthe Park that presented a history ofits establishment in 1993, and de-scribed its goals for conservation,education, social support, and sus-tainable agriculture. The environ-mental features of the Park wereoutlined. The presentation empha-sized that a fundamental premise ofthe Park is to involve local peoples inenvironmental programs with rein-forcement provided by the interac-tion of foreign visitors.

I was able to demonstrate howthe Friends of Muraviovka Park or-

ganization supported numerousprojects, whose positive outcomeshave benefited both birds and peo-ple in the Muraviovka Park environsof the Russian Far East. Pictureswere shown from the environmen-tal summer camps (established in1994 and now including participa-tion from China and South Korea)and the newly developing AmurCenter for the Adaptation of Youth.I concluded the formal presenta-tion with an invitation for the au-dience to contact either FOMP orICF leaders.

We succeeded in presentinga summary of our many impressivehighlights in an illustrated talk, last-ing less than four minutes. How-

ever, the official language of thesymposium in Kushiro was Japa-nese and the translated talk actu-ally lasted considerably longer thanthe prescribed time frame. Irre-gardless, it was well received anda number of Japanese friends be-came members of the Friends ofMuraviovka Park.

As a final sign of FOMP’s com-ing of “age”, I was able to incorpo-rate the Kushiro presentation intoa PowerPoint session at the Annu-al Meeting of the InternationalCrane Foundation in September2002. Ask to see and hear this over-view of the project at MuraviovkaPark, when a FOMP member visitsyour club or group.

FOMP gains international recognitionfrom page 1

Adam Wehling teaches a lesson in soils to eager Russianstudents during the English language environmental camp.

8

Join FOMP with ‘Adopt a Nest’Many have responded to the

“Adopt a Nest” project and wethank you. As more and more peo-ple visit the Park, they recognizewhat a unique place it is. Imaginelooking through a scope and see-ing a species that has inhabited theworld for 60 million years.

You, too, can be part of the“Adopt a Nest” project that helpsto support habitat for these rarebirds. Each year this ecosystem ischallenged. This past year firesburned through some of the wet-lands, killing a few adults and youngbirds who couldn’t escape. Adopt-ing a nest provides money for prop-er management of these areas.Wouldn’t such an adoption be awonderful gift for a bird lover, crane

enthusiast, or someone who is en-vironmentally aware?

Not everyone has the oppor-tunity to visit the Park, but adopt-ing a nest would be the next bestthing for the young cranes.

For a $50 donation, you re-ceive the following: 1 year’s mem-bership in “Friends of MuraviovkaPark,” a certificate suitable forframing, picture post cards of thePark and its environs, and an infor-mative book on crane life.

Donations may be sent to:Adopt a Nest Project, c/o ElenaSmirenski, International CraneFoundation, P.O. Box 447, Baraboo,WI 53913. For more information,contact Carolyn Parrott atparroo@earthlink.net

Carolyn Parrott is a memberof the FOMP Board of Directorsand chairperson of the “Adopt aNest” program.

Pelmenifrom the kitchen of Elena Smirenski

Any kind of ground meat will work for this Russian recipe for filled pasta, but a mixture of equalamounts of beef, pork, and lamb will result in the most delicious pelmeni!

Mix flour with egg, water, and salt; knead very well. Roll the dough thinly (~1/16"); use a drinkingglass to cut out round pieces.

Mix ground meat well with chopped onions, garlic, pepper, and salt. Put a teaspoon of this stuffingon each piece of dough and pinch the edges together nicely, to shape a fat crescent. Put pelmeni on aplatter or cutting board generously sprinkled with flour.

If you want to store your pelmeni for later, sprinkle them with flour, put in a container with tight lidand deep-freeze.

If you are going to cook and serve your pelmeni right away, boil 2 quarts of water (or meat broth) and add2 tsp. of salt when it starts boiling. If you want to serve pelmeni in broth, cook the broth before you startmaking pelmeni or use broth cubes. Gently drop your pelmeni in boiling water or broth. When the boilingresumes, turn the heat down a little to prevent spilling. Boil for 1-2 min. (until all pelmeni are floating on top).

Serve in bowls (with or without broth) while hot, with chopped greens of your choice (parsley,cilantro, dill, green onions) and sour cream.

Dough Ingredients:2 cups flour

1 egg1/2 cup water1/2 tsp. salt

Stuffing Ingredients:1 1/2 lbs. of ground meat

2 large onions1 tbsp. garlic (freshly

crushed)1 tsp. black pepperapprox. 1 tsp. salt.

9

especially interested in the social services, becausesocial projects take a big part of all the programs runby Tambovka District Administration. Mr. Wiegand isready to discuss the opportunities for working togetherin the future and would like to develop a “sister coun-ty” relationship with Tambovka District. The secondpart of the day they spent touring the Health CareCenter of Sauk County. Another day was spent visit-ing St. Vincent DePaul Society store for the poor inPrairie du Sac and the Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital.The participants were amazed at the extent of themedical facilities available. On November 12, The Del-egation visited the Wisconsin State Capital and metwith Senator Bob Welch.

Agricultural Part This was the biggest part of thevisit. Tambovka District, where Muraviovka Park is lo-cated, is an agricultural area. The Team was anxiousto learn how Wisconsin farmers run their business. Onevisit was to a meeting of the Fresh Market Growers inPrairie du Sac. Small farmers don’t have such associa-tions in Russia.

Sergei Shalagin grows organic crops in MuraviovkaPark. In Russia there is no market for organic productsand he has to sell his crops at the same price as theconventional crops. Some of the farms visited includethe Cates Family beef farm and the Harriet and AaronBehar crop farm. The Behar farm has a new environ-mentally friendly solar greenhouse. The Amur Delega-tion paid attention to how big is the part of environ-mental care in Wisconsin, no matter whether in agri-culture or in education. On November 8, Joe Van Ber-kel, Sauk County Conservationist for the Land Conser-vation Department, presented a tour of projects in theCounty including: creek bank remediation along Nar-rows Creek in Loganville, and cow yard manure reten-tion at Harold Haag and Darrell Myers farms. The partic-ipants saw some advanced crop technologies used inWisconsin and Minnesota. American farmers work a lotwith the soil to promote its fertility and prevent ero-sion. Tony Thompson (a Minnesota farmer) uses equip-ment that protects the soil during planting and effi-ciently saves most of the grain during harvesting.

Of course, the Delegation tried a lot of Wiscon-sin cheese. They toured Cedar Grove cheese factorywhich produces some organic cheese and has a uniquewaste water treatment system using hydroponics. AnAmish cheese factory was also visited. There is a planto start a beef herd at Muraviovka Park, so the Dele-gation was interested in the management of cattlefarms, that were included in the tours.

Educational Part This part started from the veryfirst day. After the group arrived they did a tour of In-ternational Crane Foundation, where they saw all 15 spe-cies of cranes. This is a majestic place. They had meet-

ings and did presentations at several University of Wis-consin colleges. UW-Baraboo got very interested in col-laboration with Amur Region colleges and plans to dis-cuss future opportunities. At UW-River Falls, Mr. Shala-gin and I talked to the students and teachers of Agricul-tural Science Department. Our listeners were surprisedat how effective and sustainable the agricultural andeducational programs were in Muraviovka Park. Every-one agreed to continue looking for student exchangeopportunities and other mutual programs. Several schoolswere also visited in the LaCrosse and Eau Claire area.

Trips to Hixon Forest Nature Center (LaCrosse),Trees for Tomorrow Nature Center (Eagle River), Bea-ver Creek Nature Center (Eau Claire) were very usefulfor me, as there is a nature center at Muraviovka Park.Other nature watching activities planned by Barb Th-ompson included Wyalusing State Park, Black Jack Wil-derness in the Eagle River area, and Ottawa State For-est near Lake Superior.

There are plans to construct a wood working shopat Muraviovka Park and one of the purposes is to teachyoung adults how to make marketable items out ofwood. Mr. Shalagin learned the techniques for pro-ducing writing pen barrels and letter opener handles,as well as the construction of a solar kiln for wooddrying, during one of his visits

Summary As they made their way around Wis-consin, the Delegation was able to grasp an idea aboutwhat the US and it people were like. They were hap-py to meet their friends: teachers who were in Mu-raviovka Park in different years starting from 1995.American teachers expressed interest in traveling toMuraviovka Park and participating in the language andenvironmental Camps.

During the trip, plans for the 2003 camps wereworked on. Barb Thompson, Elena Smirenski, Li Feng-shan (China), Sergei Smirenski, Sergei Shalagin and Idiscussed the schedule for the first Russian-Chinese-American Environmental Camp. They also talked aboutthe results of the past summer and of future projects.

The Amur Delegation would like to thank the In-ternational Crane Foundation, the Trust for Mutual Un-derstanding, and Friends of Muraviovka Park for provid-ing airfares, funding, lodging, and opportunity to cometo the USA and share many impressions and experienc-es. After their return to Russia, Mr. Zemlyanski and Mr.Tkachenko were talking on Amur TV and radio abouttheir trip. Mr. Tkachenko was interviewed by the localnewspaper. Since December, the program “Little Townof America” is broadcast every Friday on Amur TV andbecame very popular. It shows the videos produced byMr. Zemlyanski and viewers can call in with questions.

Marina Kolodina, 24, is the Muraviovka Park Ed-ucation Coordinator. An accomplished professionaltranslator, she has a Master’s degree in English andRussian and works as a full-time English teacher atthe Muraviovka village school, grades 1 - 11.

Amur delegation visits Wisconsinfrom page 1

10

A Russian perspective...by Irene Babenko

Dear Friends,I realize quite well what a grand work has been done in

collaboration of Russian and American colleagues, for the bene-

fit of Muraviovka Park. The students, as well as, the teachers of

both countries had such a wonderful opportunity of communi-

cation and exchanging of ecological and teaching experience. I

couldn’t but admire all the activities in nature study!! I liked

everything I faced there - warm and careful atmosphere, organi-

zation and discipline were on their best!!! I admired how easy

with great love to their children, profession and nature Ameri-

cans worked! It seemed to me they were ready to work about

24 hours a day. They were always in good spirit with a smile on

their faces. What impressed me most of all was that all Ameri-

can guests were like one friendly family. That’s great!!!

It was very pleasant to communicate with American stu-

dents. How funny it was for me to dramatize a tale with them

and to rehearse it even late in the evening in the candle light!

They are so industrious and hardworking too, including duty

at the dining room in the open air, then keeping tidy the camp

and of course the work in the fields and at the conference.

When some of our Russian girls complained that they were tired

under hot sunshine, I whispered them to take example of Sara

and Becky with heavy rucksacks behind their backs. How fun-

ny Tom Heilman and Adam Wehling looked at the classes of soil

study. They both held the pieces of clay soil, as little children

playing with mud, making patties of pastry. They exclaimed

that the soil of the field was excellent. What a brilliant idea of

them was to do a natural refrigerator on the ice of the marsh

for cherry-banana mousse. How delicious it was!!!

Of course the most beautiful thing was the meeting with my pen-pal Rochelle Robkin. It was a real present

for me and seemed unbelievable! We talked so much without stopping, as if we knew each other for ages! We

have so much in common though we live so far. She is such a creative person. Our Russian students adored her!!

I also had a good opportunity to meet some Russian colleagues: the teachers of chemistry, geography, and

ecology. It was one of the best holidays I ever had! I really enjoyed meeting new people, eating unusual

American food on the 4th of July, and what not. Everything was absolutely great!! It was an excellent chance of

practicing English. I’ve made many new friends. Some of my students have pen-pal friends, now.

As for me, I’m a school teacher of English, employed in a secondary arts gymnasium (editors note: a

gymnasium is equivalent to a high school with a special focus). The students of our school study more

subjects of the humanities and arts. There are 3 departments at it: musical, dancing, painting. I participate

in school activities outside classroom teaching. I’m a class teacher of the 10th grade (for the students of 15

years) Besides, I’m an assistant director of education. What I like most of all, I’m the leader of ecological

students theatre A Sunny Smile. We staged a lot of tales about nature. Now we are rehearsing the play

connecting against water pollution “By a Wave of the Wind”. I told my students and colleagues a lot about my

impressions of Muraviovka Park and showed them pictures and Paula Hase’s video film about Wausau school.

At my English lessons I use songs and games I learned from Rachel, Katie, and Adam. Now, I’m always looking

at the cranes on the badge -they gave me at Muraviovka, with the feeling of affection and softness.

THANK YOU 2002 TIMES!!! BEST WISHES TO EVERYBODY,--Irené

English teacher Irené Babenko (right), shares a

hug with a fellow Russian teacher (left) and

Baraboo instructor Rochelle Robkin in 2001.

(Irené Babenko isan English teacher in Belogorsk, Russia. She has one daughter, who is

attending college in Vladivostok. Her husband is a director of the theater in Belogorsk.)

11

Please vote for no more than two of the candidates below for three year terms beginning at the annualmeeting on March 23, 2003. Use the ballot at the bottom of the page and return by March 23, 2003.

Kennedy Gilchrist: Kennedy is a retired Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University ofWisconsin Medical School in Madison. He not only has had a distinguished career at the University, but has been activelyinvolved with the Thai Pharmacy Council and the Asian Partnership Initiative between the UW-Madison and sister institutionsin Asia. Dr. Gilchrist has been a participant in ICF’s educational-field survey work in China and Viet Nam. He was instrumen-tal in getting environmental information to these children and in getting medical supplies to the people living near the TramChin National Park, Viet Nam. After meeting Dr. Sergei Smirenski and learning about his efforts at Muraviovka Park,Kennedy became an active supporter. He joined the Friends of Muraviovka Park, became a current member of the Board ofDirectors, and was a participant in the 2000 teachers team. During the 2002 annual meeting of the International CraneFoundation, Kennedy and his wife, Heidi, received the “Good Egg Award” for all their volunteer efforts. Kennedy Gilchrist isnot a person to rest on past laurels and wishes to continue to be active with ICF and with the Friends of Muraviovka Park.

Bruce Peacock: Bruce is a teacher working with 11th and 12th grade environmental classes at Lake GenevaBadger High School. He teaches his students how to be active in community work and conservation projects. Bruce has a BSdegree from UW-Stevens Point in Natural Resources Management, a BSE degree from UW-Whitewater, and a MA degree fromViterbo University. As a participant in the first Wisconsin teachers team to Russia (1995), he realized the importance offinding a way to ensure the continued development of the work at Muraviovka Park. In 1997, Bruce proposed the idea of a“friends” group and the Friends of Muraviovka Park was established. Bruce Peacock is a past member of the Board and proudof the work done by FOMP. He wishes to continue to be an active part of the effort in the Russian Far East.

Barb Thompson: Barb is the Outdoor Education Center Coordinator for the West Salem School District, and hasheld this position for the last 10 years. She has been to Muraviovka Park five times since 1996, once as a teacher participantand the other four times as a co-team or team leader. In 2002, Barb helped to organize the first English-Russian languagecamp. In the summer of 2003, she plans to lead two American teacher teams to the Park and be involved in the first Russian/Chinese/American environmental camp in China. Barb has served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of MuraviovkaPark since its inception in 1998. She has been President of the Board each of those years and still believes strongly in Dr.Sergei Smirenski’s vision and the Park’s mission. Barb Thompson enjoys working with good people of different cultures andfeels that there is still a lot to learn from each other. Because there is more to accomplish, she wishes to continue activelyserving on the Board of the Friends of Muraviovka Park.

Membership Renewal (Membership term January 1, 2003 – December 31, 2003):

Name __________________________________________

Address ________________________________________

_______________________________________

City ________________ State _____ Zip _____________

Email __________________________________________

FOMP Board of Directors Candidates

Friends of Muraviovka Park:Membership Application and Board of Directors Ballot

Please vote for TWO of the following candidates:

___Kennedy Gilchrist ___Bruce Peacock ___Barb Thompson ___Write in candidate:_____________________

Membership Levels:____ student ($10)____ individual ($15)____ family ($25)____ school/youth group ($50)____ organization/firm ($100)____ contributing member ($100)____ additional donation

$_____total donationDonations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

Please make checks payable to the International Crane Foundation and return to:Friends of Muraviovka Park

International Crane FoundationP.O. Box 447

Baraboo, WI 53913

It is that time of the year again! This newsletter is the official pub-lication of the Friends of Muraviovka Park and with its distribution, theofficial notice of the annual meeting is presented.

The Annual Meeting will take place in the library of the InternationalCrane Foundation at 1:00 p.m. on March 23, 2003. (Hopefully by that timeElena and Sergei Smirenski will be grandparents!) ICF President Jim Harriswill be the keynote speaker and talk about the history of the Park. Dr.Sergei Smirenski will present some comments on the future of wetlandsconservation. Dessert and beverages will be provided and there will be adrawing for door prizes. Everyone is welcome, so please mark your calen-dars.

Membership renewals are also due. Please consider all the greatthings that are happening at Muraviovka Park and continue your supportof a very unique non-governmental environmental preservation/economicdevelopment project with multi-national relationships.

Members are also eligible to elect the Board of Directors for Friendsof Muraviovka Park. On the preceding page, you will find descriptions ofthe three candidates running for the two open seats on the FOMP Board,along with a form to indicate your choice of board director and to submityour membership application.

Please return your vote by March 23, 2003!

March 23 setfor Annual Meeting

It does not seem possible,but the ten-year anniversary ofMuraviovka Park is just aroundthe corner. As part of the rec-ognition of this milestone,Friends of Muraviovka Park arebuilding an archive of the activ-ities that have occurred.

Please look through yourpictures and saved newspaperarticles, selecting those thatcould be used to represent thePark and your memorable mo-ments. All items will be re-turned, if requested.

Please send newspaper ar-ticles and annotated pictures toElena Smirenski at the Interna-tional Crane Foundation, POBox 447, Baraboo, WI 53913.

Archives needsyour news andphotos!

Dedicated toenvironmental protection,educational programming,ecological research, andsustainable agriculturaldevelopment atMuravioka Park andin the Amur Riverwatershed of theRussian Far East.

Friends ofMuraviovka ParkAn Affiliate of theInternational Crane FoundationP.O. Box 447Baraboo, WI 53913

ZHURAVL IS EDITED BY GEORGE DANNER AND

TYPESET BY ROB NELSON.