The Tiger student team established by the Amur Tiger Centre is continuing its environmental watch in the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve, south of the Ternei village in the Primorye Territory.

A large portion of the project was completed over three weeks of intense work.

The torrential rains were a test of the students’ resilience. Portions of the Cape Severny Eco Trail, which in dry weather seem suitable for building trails, have turned into a wasteland that is impassable without rubber boots. After some brainstorming, the decision was made to build a deck in the area.

The work continues rain or shine.

“The torrential rains revealed problems that we didn’t see during the exploration,” Natalya Ivanova, an ecological trail building expert from Great Baikal Trail, said. “More work will have to be done in these spots, and our tactics will have to change as well. The swampy areas will need an extra layer of decking. This week, we have prepared poles for four decks. In addition, we have completed the construction of 35 of the 60 steps that lead to the observation deck at Cape Severny. We have also built 250 metres of  backfilled trails and eight metres of a turnpike. We continue barking logs for the bridges, and the construction is in full swing.”

The work is continuing in bad weather.

When working outdoors is impossible as a result of heavy rains, the reserve employees go to Blagodatnoye to speak with students about the reserve.

Deputy Director for Environmental Education at the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve Olga Arifulina explained to the students the differences between reserves and national parks and told them about local flora and fauna and international projects.

 “Thanks to our cooperation with the Amur Tiger Centre and the first student team, Tiger, we have finally managed to boost ecotourism,” Ms Arifulina said. “Future zoologists, biologists, ecologists, and forest rangers are working hard to improve the Cape Severny Eco Trail. Their assistance is invaluable, and we are pleased to have young people working on this project.”