Cultural Exchange

Environmental Policy-Maker Exchange Program

TBI works to connect environmental policy-makers at all levels from the United States, Russia, Mongolia, and other areas around the world to share ideas and tools, and to create partnerships and understanding to solve shared environmental problems. Since 1990, TBI has supported a number of Policy-Maker and TBI Board of Directors exchanges between Russia and the United States.

In the summer of 1998, TBI sponsored its first large-scale environmental policy-maker exchange between the United States and Russia. The delegations, consisting of leading environmental policymakers and scientists from northern California and the Lake Baikal region, and federal representatives from both countries, came together in northern California in late July, and in Russia in late August.

1998 Policy Maker Delegation:

1. Valentin Danilovich Brovchak, Ex. Sec., State Baikal Comm., State Committee on Env. Protection
2. Dr. Charles Goldman, Division of Environmental Science and Policy
3. Dr. Valery Pavlovich Gorlachov, Director, Zabaikalsky State Pedagogical University
4. Patricia Ronald, Chair, Board of Directors, Tahoe-Baikal Institute
5. Dr. Tatiana Strizhova, Institute of Natural Resources
6. Kenneth Thomas, Senior Adviser for the FSU to the Assistant Secretary for Oceans, Environment, and Science, U.S. Department of State
7. Nikolai Aleksandrvich Vlasenko, Director, State Institute on Regional Legislation
8. Jerome Waldie, Douglas P. Wheeler, Secretary for Resources, The Resources Agency, California
9. Valery Enszapovich Gulgonov, Chair, State Committee on the Environment, Rebublic of Buryatia

California Secretary for Resources Douglas Wheeler led the American delegation; and Valentin Brovchak, Executive Secretary of the Russian Federation's Commission on Baikal, led the Russian side. The policymakers carried out a heavy schedule of colloquia and briefing sessions in both countries, field visits and boat trips at Tahoe and Baikal, and retreats to Yosemite and the Tunkinsky National Park (Buryatia). Upon closing of events, the policymakers commended the exchange as having been valuable and substantive, and a good foundation for future cooperation between the participating individuals and institutions. Funding for the exchange came from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund. Click here for a full report on the event.

TBI Board of Director Exchanges

Each year we look to the suggestions of recent TBI Summer Environmental Exchange Participants and other alumni for new program directions and improvements. In 2001, based on recommendations from the TBI Program Committee, we decided it was time to encourage our Russian partners to take an equal part in running TBI, and put serious energy into Russian board development and project enhancement.

Increasing the capability of TBI-Russia to initiate new projects and become a respected member of the grassroots movement began with rejuvenating the formerly inactive Russian Board. TBI invited three very enthusiastic Russian Board members to California for six days in May of intensive board development workshops and meetings with members of the U.S. board. In October, our Executive Director traveled to Irkutsk to attend one of TBI-Russia's most critical board meetings--aimed to finalize by-laws, develop a fund-raising plan, and formally bring on staff.

The revitalization of the Russian board is an exciting endeavor for TBI, and provides a new opportunity to develop environmental leadership. After significant research, TBI discovered very few Russian organizations are run by volunteer Boards of Directors. The forming of the TBI Russia board brings program alumni and representatives from academic, government, non-profit, and business institutions together to make important decisions that will guide program directions in environmental conservation.

The Lake Baikal Monitoring Project

Study on the Shores of Lake Baikal this Summer with Russian Scientists
Sponsored by: The Baikalian Research Center,Irkutsk State University, and the Tahoe Baikal Institute

Overview

In 2001, scientists from two respected research institutions in Irkutsk, Russia, (Baikalian Research Center and the Institute of Biology at Irkutsk State University) began a monitoring program on Lake Baikal to identify how the lake's sensitive ecosystem and bentic communities have changed over the last half-century and what types of pollutants may be influencing their populations. This research program follows research that has been collected for the last 50 years from the Institute of Biology.

This year, we are inviting you to join this group of scientists and graduate students to assist in their monitoring and collection programs on the shores of Lake Baikal. At least 4 different teams of 7 volunteers will take part in the Lake Baikal Monitoring Project, which will include:

• Course work from Baikalian Research Center and Irkutsk State University Professors;
• 2 weeks collecting and analyzing water samples along Baikal's western shore;
• 2 days working on a re-vegetation project on Baikal's Eastern shore;
• And 4 days of sightseeing around Lake Baikal.

Who can take part?

Anyone 18 or older can take part in the program since no special ecological or biological skills are required. The researchers and field staff will teach you everything you need to know once you arrive. We encourage researchers to develop their own personal research during the program (please let us know what you are interested in).

When is the program?

This years program will last for 3 weeks in September. However, please contact us since numerous groups will be working on programs all summer and we can be flexible. We are also looking for participants in March and September and for 2 weeks in November and December.

How much does it cost?

The cost of the program is between $1,000-$1,500/person, depending on the time of year and specific requirements. This does not include airfare to Russia, however TBI can assist with providing visas and travel information for getting to Irkutsk.

What you need to do next

Send us a note and let us know your interests and time frame for taking part in the program. We are looking forward to your response and look forward to having you as an active participant in our project!

Contact Information

Please contact the project leader Dr. Maxim A. Timofeyev (Head of Baikalian Research Center and TBI Board Member) at baikal@lenta.ru.