On August 18, 2025, the Russian Geographical Society (RGS) celebrates the 180th anniversary of its founding. The RGS is one of the oldest geographical societies in the world, founded in St. Petersburg on August 18, 1845, by decree of Emperor Nicholas I. Furthermore, in 2020, the RGS initiated the establishment of Geographer's Day in Russia, which is also celebrated on August 18. We sincerely congratulate our fellow researchers on the 180th anniversary and their professional holiday!
To mark this significant date, an event dedicated to nature protection and biodiversity conservation was held at Veselovskoye Reservoir. MMBI RAS Ornithology and Parasitology Laboratory Principal Researcher, Professor Natalia Lebedeva took part in it. She told journalists from local TV about the long-term conservation work of scientists in the reservoir area, including a 45-year-long monitoring of duck breeding. Natalya Viktorovna paid special attention to negative trends of Veselovskoye Reservoir gray goose population, as it forms the core population for the European part of Russia.
Journalists were also shown artificial nesting sites for ducks placed in the territory managed by LLC "Argamak-R." The central event of the celebration was the release into the wild of artificially reared mallards and gray geese. This measure is aimed at reducing hunting pressure on wild populations of these birds.
Mallard, a group of artificially reared mallards
Gray goose
Release of birds at the reservoir
A large flock of glossy ibis was observed in the area where the waterfowl was released
Photo by Natalia Lebedeva
