‘Clean Up After Yourself’ Community Cleanup Day
The Novosibirsk Region hosted the flagship event ‘Water of Russia’, which is being implemented under the Environmental Well-Being National Project, as part of the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia, under the auspices of the 11th International Nevsky Ecological Congress, and coinciding with the launch of the nationwide campaign ‘I Choose Clean Air’. The Novosibirsk Region Ministry of Natural Resources organized this massive cleanup of the shoreline, a popular local recreation spot.
Novosibirsk Region Deputy Governor Valentina Dudnikova took part in the event along with more than 150 participants, including regional government officials, corporate volunteers accompanied by their families and children, and students from ‘green universities’. The participation of Chukwujekwu Franklin Kenechukwu, a Nigerian student from Novosibirsk State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, lent the event an international dimension.
In her welcoming remarks, Dudnikova emphasized the importance of such events for both upbringing and education. They also serve as a platform for career guidance and could potentially inspire participants to pursue studies in environmental science and become professional environmentalists.
“The ‘Water of Russia’ event brings together people of all ages and professions for a noble cause – preserving our country’s unique water resources – and fosters a sense of respect for nature among the younger generation. It is pleasant to see children of all ages regularly taking part in environmental campaigns. They help their parents or join cleanup events on their own. With young people like these, we don’t need to worry about the future of our environment,” she noted.
The cleanup event on the shores of the Novosibirsk Reservoir was a natural follow-up to the 11th Nevsky International Ecological Congress that was recently held in St. Petersburg under the theme ‘Planet Earth: Living in Harmony with Nature’. During the Congress, more than 1,700 participants, including approximately 420 international guests from 75 countries, representatives of international organizations, government officials, scientists, practitioners, and specialists, discussed such issues as urban ecology, sustainable water use, the protection and rehabilitation of polluted rivers and lakes, and various environmental projects.
“For corporate volunteers, participation in the country’s environmental projects is a powerful tool for strengthening the responsible business culture. By participating, each of us realizes that we are creating harmony between economic interests and care for the environment around us together,” said Dmitry Sharkov, director of the regional chapter of the National Council for Corporate Volunteering.
Old car parts, rusted scrap metal, a volleyball, lifebuoy, old trash bins, carpets, tires, pipes, tin cans, metal bottle caps, glass, plastic, old clothes, barbecue grills, and grates. The participants were regularly shocked by their finds, as well as why and how people could litter along the shoreline, particularly in places where they like to relax.
The environmental event produced some impressive results: over 500 kilograms of waste were collected, nearly 200 bags of trash were removed from the shoreline, and a clean stretch of coast and adjacent woodland spanning more than three kilometres was created along the shoreline.
All the participants noted that the reservoir’s shoreline was significantly cleaner than the previous year. This means that the volunteers’ efforts have been paying off – people are actually starting to treat nature with greater care. Cleaning up after irresponsible vacationers is hard work. The Novosibirsk Region Ministry of Natural Resources is deeply grateful to the dedicated volunteers who take part in these environmental protection events.
“Lots of people gather here each year. It is an absolutely wonderful thing. I believe people come not only to clean up the shoreline, but also to demonstrate the importance of protecting nature through their own example. The slogan ‘Clean Air and Clean Shores – A Volunteer’s Dream’ truly resonates with us,” said Larisa Serova, a specialist at the Ministry of Natural Resources and corporate volunteering coordinator.
Warm-up exercises held before the cleanup added a festive atmosphere to the event. Workshops were held for children. One of the highlights of the day was the ‘I Choose Clean Air’ eco-run, which got everyone charged up and put them in a positive mood. Participants received letters of appreciation for their work as well as prizes and tickets to the Novosibirsk Zoo for finding unusual items during the cleanup.
The Ministry of Natural Resources expresses its gratitude to the corporate volunteers from the Novosibirsk Region chapter of the National Council for Corporate Volunteering network for their active participation in the campaign. These include: West Siberian Railway – a branch of Russian Railways, Sistema PBO (Vkusno – i Tochka), FESCO Transport Group, Mars, Philip Morris Sales and Marketing, Novosibirskenergosbyt, El 6 Novosibirsk, Sibagro (Kudryashovskoye), Siberian Wellness, FM Logistic Vostok, Baltika Breweries, Ulybino PF, Novotelecom, Spetsavtokhozyaystvo, students from the ‘green universities’ – Novosibirsk State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering and Siberian State University of Geosystems and Technologies – as well as the Sovetsky District branch of the United Russia party.
The event was held under the auspices of the Nevsky International Ecological Congress, which provides guidance in terms of addressing critical environmental issues and shaping pathways for Russia’s sustainable development. The Congress is organized by the Russian government, the Russian Federation Council, the Interparliamentary Assembly of CIS Member Nations, and the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and is managed by the Roscongress Foundation.
Anyone who is interested can either participate in or help organize the ‘Water of Russia’ campaign. Detailed information is available at берегдобрыхдел.рф.
