Published on: 2026-04-07
Source: Preserved Embassy Foundation –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
All efforts are focused on preparing volunteers and territories for the launch of the volunteer project “Potanin Foundation School.” This year, the project will cover 63 territories—a simply fantastic scale. The “Protected Embassy” Foundation is a partner of the Potanin Foundation for the project; it is very important to us that the results be, on one hand, the uncovered talents of the participants, and on the other, real changes in the protected territories.
This is why we are so happy with news like this, the story of one of the longtime participants in the project about how the idea worked on by volunteers during the shift in the Transbaikal National Park took on real shape.
Diana Gallyamova is a young teacher from the Republic of Bashkortostan, winner of the Vladimir Potanin Endowment Scholarship competition in 2022. At the Potanin Foundation School, she volunteered for two years in the Astrakhan Reserve and the Zabaykalsky National Park, and then became the leader of the volunteer program; Baikal captured the heart of the girl and her like-minded people.
Diana told: “Spring started actively this year: already at the beginning of March volunteers and authors of the project ‘Baikal – Volunteer Harbor’ came to the park. Thanks to the initiative of the team led by Elizaveta Grinfeld, supported by the Vladimir Potanin Foundation within the competition ‘Practices of Personal Philanthropy and Altruism’ and the association ‘Protected Necklace of Baikal’, after several intense days in the territory of the Trans-Baikal National Park, a full-fledged environment for the work and communication of volunteers from all over the country appeared.”
The project was initially conceived as a response to a real request: to make the stay of volunteers more comfortable, functional, and inspiring. The team approached this task systematically, considering every detail with regard to personal volunteer experience.
One of the key points was a new interactive corner. Here, each participant can mark their city on the map, leave a wish or words of support for the next shifts. This is an opportunity to establish a live connection between people who may never meet in person, but are engaged in a common cause.
An important part has become a multifunctional recreation area. The space combines several scenarios at once: viewing educational materials on the projector, bookcrossing (book exchange), board games, conducting creative workshops. This is a place where volunteers can recover their strength, discuss ideas, and share experiences – which means improving the efficiency of their work. On a special shelf “Rental Equipment” are collected necessary items for field work, expeditions, and off-site situations.
Special attention was paid to environmental aspects – a principle without which the development of any initiatives on Baikal is impossible. The central elements of the space became puffs-bags and pillows made from fibers obtained by recycling textile waste. This is not just comfortable furniture, but a vivid example of conscious consumption. Visual identity was enhanced by original illustrations by artists from Buryatia: sights of the region are depicted on the pillows. An important role in this was played by the project partner – the socio-ecological center “Nitochka” (Ulan-Ude).The center team promotes the ideas of sustainable consumption: it accepts unnecessary items, gives them a second life through charitable shops, helps those in need, and is engaged in recycling. Their participation became a logical and valuable contribution to the project.
The on-site phase of the “Baikal: Volunteer Harbor” project has been completed – and this is not just a conclusion, but the beginning of a new story for everyone who comes to help the protected nature.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of information. It represents an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.