Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has signed a directive to establish a protected area at the Wrangel Island Reserve. The document was drafted by the Natural Resources Ministry in accordance with the Federal Law on Protected Natural Areas.

The decision is aimed at preserving the natural environment of coastal and island Arctic ecosystems, protecting the natural habitat of polar bears and sea mammals from man-made impact, as well as developing ecotourism in the Russian Arctic zone.

The Wrangel Island state nature reserve, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, is known as the polar bear's “maternity home.” In 2011, this site was also selected for environmental awareness programmes: a pilot project will take place there as part of the Nature Ministry’s larger programme to develop educational tourism. However, because of difficulties in delivering the necessary equipment and materials to the island the project is only now getting underway.