Dr. Sergei Smirenski

World Renowned Conservationist
Available to Speak to Your Organization

Dr. Sergei Smirenski, founder and director of Muraviovka Park of Sustainable Land Use in Far Eastern Russia, dreamed of finding a place in which people and wildlife could live together in harmony and at the same time test new technologies and ideas for ecosystem protection, environmental education, and sustainable land use.

Dr. Smirenski, born in Moscow in 1947, is a highly regarded ornithologist from Moscow State University. He has traveled the world providing dynamic presentations on the wonder of cranes and the importance of creating sustainable habitats for their survival. He has studied the problems of taxonomy, behavior and ecology of birds and has a special interest in studying current status of bird populations, especially of rare and endangered species.

Since 1970, Dr. Smirenski participated and led over 60 research expeditions to the Russian Far East and East Siberia and over 25 trips to the Central Asian states of the former Soviet Union, Mongolia, China, Japan, South Korea, and India. He is the author of over 50 scientific publications.

Sergei’s wife Elena is also a wildlife biologist and conservationist and a full-time Program Assistant and Amur Expedition Coordinator with the International Crane Foundation (ICF). She assisted him in a number of expeditions and numerous public presentations.

Dr. Smirenski’s scientific research helped to develop an idea about alternative ways for development in the Amur River Basin that benefits people, economy and wildlife. In 1991, with the help from ICF, he founded the AMUR Program of the Socio-Ecological Union. He believes that natural resources cannot be conserved simply by stopping development. Conservationists must work with local governments and communities to find sustainable alternatives for improving economic conditions. In 1993, in cooperation with ICF and financial support from the Pop Group Corporation of Japan, he established Muraviovka Park for Sustainable Land Use, the first non-profit, privately operated nature park in Russia since 1917.

Under Sergei’s guidance Muraviovka Park has:

• Preserved approximately 13 thousand acres of wetland and agricultural lands
• Hosted International Environmental Education Camps including participants from Russia, China, South Korea, and the US
• Established a demonstration farm of sustainable agricultural
• Coordinated US/Russian teacher exchanges
• Maintained suitable habitat for the six species of cranes and oriental white stork that use the park
• Provided research opportunities for university students
• Initiated an Independent Living Skill Center for orphaned teenagers
• Hosted an International Youth Symposium on Environmental Issues
• Involved local children in planting a tree nursery
• Organized a Language Camp for Russian and American students and teachers
• Initiated a mutual working relationship with local communities
• Conducted teacher training workshops

Dr. Sergei Smirenski and Elena Smirenski can address topics including: birds, endangered species, international issues and cooperation, sustainable land use and development, environmental education. They can adapt presentation to your needs.

To book a presentation contact Elena Smirenski at:
elena@savingcranes.org
Tel. 608-356-9462 ext. 130
Fax # 608-356-9465