Volunteer Information*
The Forest Biological Station Chisty Les is a part of the Central Forest Nature Reserve. This Reserve is approximately 350 km north-west of Moscow, in Central European Russia. The reserve and station are situated in the south-western Valday Hills, where three important Russian rivers originate: Volga, Dnepr and Zapadnaya Dvina.
- Species
- Habitat
- How do I get there?
- Visa Information
- Where do I stay?
- Requirements
- Prices & dates
- Dates
- Transfer from Moscow to the biological station
Wolves: originally the big bad beast in many European cultures, but recently recognized as a highly social and intelligent animal and a key species in the northern natural ecosystems.
Brown bears: many bears live in the reserve and its buffer zones. Though it is a predator, plants make up the majority of the bear's diet. Bear hunting is popular in Russia, and orphaned bear cubs frequently starve to death when their mothers are killed in winter. These are the orphan cubs the station tries to save.
Additionally: the research area is also home to a large diversity of typical taiga wildlife, such as the moose, wild boar, lynx, European mink, beaver, otter, dog-raccoon and over 200 bird species including crane, black grouse, capercaille and black stork.
Typical southern taiga, virgin spruce forest and a mixed broadleaf - conifer forest as well as secondary forest of birch and aspen. These forests are mixed with elevated peatbogs and swamps, many small and large lakes and rivers, and a small number of meadows and exposed floodplains.
This mixture of habitats provides a sanctuary to an abundance of wildlife.
You will have to travel to Moscow, and onward to Staraya Toropa independently by train. At the train-station in Staraya Toropa someone will meet you and transfer you to the research site. It may be possible to arrange for a private taxi from Moscow to research station (see price information below).
You will have to arrange for your visa for Russia independently. Obtaining a Russian visa is not as straightforward as other countries. If you are staying 30 days or less then a Tourist Visa is fine. If you wish to stay longer then a Business Visa is needed. For both of these you first need to obtain an invitation in order to even apply for the visa. This can be obtained from either a Russian tourist office (liga@vniikomg.ru is the email address of one and will cost approximately US$40, payable by credit card, telephone number +007 (095) 2508024) or you can go through an organization in your home country, usually a much more expensive option. Once you have this invitation (usually 2 weeks) you can apply for your visa through the Russian embassy in your home country. The requirements vary depending which visa you want but the web address of the embassy gives full details. The actual visa will take another 2 weeks by postal application ($45 approx) or less time and more money if lodged in person. Once you have arrived in Russia the visa must be registered. This can be done in the research station.
You will stay in simple double and single rooms at the research station, or, during fieldwork, in a small wooden house. In summer the teams use tents and you will have to bring your own sleeping bag.
Living conditions are basic and allow little privacy. Sometimes you visit Russian families (employees of the Reserve) and get an opportunity to learn more about the Russian language and culture.
The project is rather isolated; it will be difficult for family and friends to contact you.
For participation in this field research project you have to be in good health and good physical condition, and you have to be able to walk long distances in a cold or hot climate (winter / summer).
For participation in wintertime you have to be capable of cross-country skiing. No other skills are needed but we do require people with a working knowledge of English (or Russian). The Russian people in the reserve do not speak that much English, so sometimes you have to patient and flexible.
Recommended retail prices for 2006
| Your age: | >24 yrs. | <=24 yrs. |
| Two weeks | 818 | 455 |
| Third extra week | 273 | 240 |
| Fourth extra week | 214 | 182 |
Prices above are in euros.
The left column shows the regular prices, the right hand side shows the special discount prices for participants aged 24 years or younger during their stay.
A special reduced day-price of euro 25,- is available for the full period of participation when you subscribe for 90 days minimum ("three months").
You can set your own dates although it is asked that you arrive in Moscow on the first Sunday of the month. The train from Moscow to Staraya Toropa leaves from Rizhskiy Vokzal at 20.07 (and arrives at 5am the following morning) so ensure your flight gives you at least 4 hours from arrival to the time of the train leaving. Participation will be possible all year round.
Transfer from Moscow to the biological station
Should you prefer not to travel independently from Moscow by train to Staraya Toropa, then it may be possible to arrange for a private transfer by car. The costs for that will be USD 110, to be paid upon arrival in cash to the project leader. Should you prefer such a private transfer, then you will need to apply at least one month before your scheduled arrival.
If you wish to take part in the program, please email info@ecovolunteer.org your interest with brief information about yourself (See Contact details). We will reply shortly.
*The information on volunteer programs has been taken from a website http://www.ecovolunteer.org
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