GBT Newsletter No. 6. In this edition: Great Baikal Trail the first ecological trail system in Russia. Summer We are moving forward Page 2

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1 Summer 2006 GBT Newsletter No. 6 Great Baikal Trail the first ecological trail system in Russia In this edition: We are moving forward Page 2 Rotary Club and the GBT in 2006 Page 3 The work of an interpreter Page 4 Reflections from a volunteer Page 5 From an idea into real life Page 6 The Tahoe-Baikal Institute 2006 Page 8 Educational Programs in the US Page 9 The experience of a first-time crewleader Page 10 A look from within Page 11 Our final report on the 2006 summer programs Page 12 Calendar of events Page 15 Partners and Sponsors Page 16

2 GBT Newsletter 6 We are moving forward For the Мы fourth идем consecutive вперед! year the non-profit Great Baikal Trail Association Администрация conducted a number Курумканскогtional summer района trail-building республики projects. Буря- of internaтия And we think that they were executed in fine Администрация style and with outstanding Муйского results. In all, there were 22 such projects, each района one adding республики to the length Бурятия of trail, while attracting Администрация both Russian and Северобайкальскогcialists. These района projects республики also covered foreign spe- Бурятия new areas, increasing the geographical scope of our program. Администрация г. Улан-Удэ АНО Our projects «Байкальский are becoming бизнесинкубатор» focused and diverse. г. Байкальск For instance, we more are now able to spend more and more Ассоциация выпускников time working towards specific goals for Президентской expanding our work with программы children. This России year we hosted over 400 volunteers from Ацагатский all over the world. дацан Some 125 of our Байкалфарм, volunteers were г. from Улан-Удэ foreign countries including: Germany, Australia, Austria, Байкал France, Хостел, Switzerland, г. Иркутск England, the Байкальский United States, Holland, биосферный Italy, Belgium, Spain, and Mongolia. Another 197 of our volunteers were Russian citizens from such cities as Ulan-Ude, Irkutsk, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Barnaul, Moscow, and Saint-Petersburg. And then 80 of our volunteers were local Baikal residents, who live or work in the areas directly impacted by our work. As we have done in the previous years, we are continuing with several incity projects, increasing our collaborative efforts with the administration of Irkutsk and various other public organizations in the Irkutsk region. We also collaborate with the Administration of the Republic of Buryatia who are committed to the preservation of our national parks, forests, and other natural resources. We are very thankful to these and other partners, who continue to support us in our work year after year. And we welcome anyone wishing to get involved in our projects and join us in our work. In addition, we are now affiliated with numerous international organizations and run volunteer exchanges with each of them. We not only receive capable volunteers from our partner organizations, we also send our own Siberian volunteers to work on their projects abroad. All of our combined efforts, in one way or another, are directly connected with the building of trails. This includes our educational programs, as well as our efforts to refine the skills and efficiency of others who are helping us build the trail system. Recently, the Center for Public Expertise rated the popularity of various ecological non-profit organizations in Russia during In this survey, the interest of the general public in the top 40 national and regional ecological organizations was estimated by measuring the quantity of searches on the internet for those organizations. The top 3, the most popular organizations based on this internet search data, were Greenpeace, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and Motion (Ringing Cedar Trees of Russia). Of the regional organizations the Great Baikal Trail was the 6 th most popular, only 1 rating away from such organizations as the Baikal Wave, the Center for Political Ecology of Russia, the Moscow Society for Recreation, Sakhalin Environmental Watch, and the educational institutions of the National Parks. The year 2006 also saw the National Service Award bestowed upon the Great Baikal Trail organization for our work in the field of volunteerism and the construction of an ecological trail system. This award was established as a symbol of gratitude and recognition for voluntary service to society, and for contribution to the development and support of such service. What this award really represents is the hard work of countless individuals and organizations, all of whom are part of the global community that is the Great Baikal Trail. Thanks for all your support! Elena Lagutina, GBT Executive Director Page 2 Our web sait:

3 Rotary - GBT Summer 2006 The Rotary Club and the GBT in 2006 The Rotary Club Great Baikal Trail projects began in Together we are dedicated to building 100 km of trails in celebration of Rotary International s 100 year anniversary. (Rotary is a charitable non-profit organization which has been undertaking social improvement projects around of the world since 1905.) In 2006 five trail building projects were completed under this exchange. And 4 of these were conducted in an area between the towns of Pad Srednaya and Bolshie Koti (the other was located further north, in the town of Bolshoe Goloustnoe). Some 7.5 km of trails were built during this season by Rotray, including the 1.5 km section of trail leading to the Sacred Mountain near Bolshoe Goloustnoe. The number of international volunteers participating in the Rotary-GBT projects increased greatly this season. The goals of these projects are straightforward: to encourage the appreciation and the conservation of our natural resources; to provide opportunities to witness the beauty of Lake Baikal first hand; and to promote cultural understanding through interaction among people from different countries and disparate cultures. On our projects this summer we organized world culture nights, which are short presentations by representatives of different countries about their countries traditions, histories, and other interesting topics. There were six such presentations on project #2, and five on project #3. The volunteers found it very rewarding to learn more about such topics as sheep-dog competitions in England, the lives of Australian aborigines, and the national culinary dishes of Belgium. Many times the volunteers were able to cook and serve their traditional foods and dishes on the projects themselves. The Rotary Club branches known as Baikal-Eco and Homer-Kochemak Bay presently are disseminating information about the GBT program to all the Rotary clubs worldwide. They want to directly involve any members of Rotary who may be expert in international trail building. The Baikal-Eco Rotary Club is also driving a fund-raising campaign for our future trail-building projects and social outreach programs. In one case, Dave Brann (from Alaska) makes a yearly delivery of camping equipment and instructs volunteers in wood handicrafts. Silas Morrison, a Rotary exchange program student from Australia, has worked on our projects consecutively for the last two seasons. Tatyana Klepikova and Igor Luzhkov have organized fund-raising events in coordination with the Rotary Club of Sydney, Australia. We have also received assistance from the Malmo Rotary Club in Sweden. After completion of their project, Dave, Silas, Igor, and a group of Belgian students visited the Seven-way Crossroads Center in the city of Angarsk. This Center helps patients meet the challenges of rehabilitation from alcoholism and other substance-related addictions. Dave, Silas, Igor, and the students spent some time speaking with patients in the center, giving the patients an interesting look into the lives of people from other countries, their respective interests and cultural heritage, as well as the challenges they face in today s world. Having the opportunity to talk to people from other countries has given these patients a much-needed break from the daily routine in the center, and perhaps even a new perspective on life. This year Rotary also sponsored a trip to Alaska for a member of the GBT staff. The purpose of this visit was to discuss Page 3

4 GBT Newsletter 6 development and educational strategies as well as to establish a greater connection between Rotary-Homer, Alaska and the GBT. Next year, the district 9680 club (in Australia) is going to bring two GBT volunteers to the Blue Mountains National Park (west of Sydney). Rotary Clubs in this district also took part in fundraising efforts for the Rotary-GBT projects. The Malmo Rotary Club of Sweden invited and sponsored boys and girls from the Art School in the local town of Meget to come and participate in the GBT-Rotary project #3. Some of these kids had never even seen Lake Baikal before. During the week-long project the children were active in trailbuilding, constructing a planner, making handicrafts, and collecting garbage from the shoreline of Lake Baikal. The youngsters were also initiated into the ever-growing GBT-family. In the end, the week was culminby a memorable dinner. It was a very moving moment for the for the children. Last season we introduced an opinion/suggestions book for tourists hiking along the GBT trail system. There has been a lot of curiosity about our work, which was communicated through these books. Many tourists want to know where we are from, what we are doing, and who supervises our projects. The feedback we receive through these books is invaluable as it allows us to comprehend the level of impact we are making through our work. We are beginning to appreciate just how important our work has become in increasing not just the viability of recreation in the area, but in encouraging conservation programs for the unique and fragile beauty that is Lake Baikal. We will continue to set out the suggestion book in new locations, and will look for new ways to interact with tourists and other trail users for proceeding seasons. The Baikal-Eco Rotary Club extends an invitation to all business men of Irkutsk wishing to support us in our work. For the second year we graciously receive the support of the Delovaya Intercommunications Group, ZAO Irkutsk Audit, and the tour company known as Baikal Complex. Thank you! Tatyana Klepikova Coordinator for Rotary - GBT Project The work of an interpreter It is so exciting to be on Lake Baikal in summer, building trails together with other amazing people! The new trail, clear of any obstructions, extends as far as one can see It is wonderful how all volunteers start working in the morning as individuals, only to have the work bring them together during the day and continue the festivities on into the night But what can you do when the project has just started, when half of the volunteers are foreigners who may not speak any Russian, and the other half are Russians who may not speak any English? And all of them are people you ve never met before. How do you initiate and encourage communication between the two groups? In this situation only crew-leaders and interpreter can help. They are the one who can inspire volunteers to work all day with a shovel, pick or pulaski. But they also provide you with: 1)-Fun games that introduce the volunteers to each other. When all is said and done, these volunteers will be your closest friends in the world, or at least within a 10 kilometer radius, for the next 2 weeks! 2)-Initiation and orientation into the ever-growing family of GBT volunteers. After the project you will have countless memories of the fun The work of an interpreter times you had on the shores of Lake Baikal and a small but bright button with the GBT emblem on it. 3)-Crew-leaders and translators also will not leave you alone with your thoughts, not let you sink too deep in your desire to take a hot shower. They will not allow you the feel excluded from the group. Instead they will find fun games to play or interesting topics to discuss. This is not self-promotion, but a reflection of real life on the GBT. Most volunteers find that their crew-leaders and translators play a very large role in creating a fun environment on the project and ensuring the project s overall success. But please, do not think that this is an easy thing to achieve. Anyone who wishes to work as a interpreter on a project is required to complete a year-long translator-training course through the GBT. The translators work together to improve their language skills, prepare different topics for discussion, and come up with ideas of how to provide the best experience possible for all volunteers on each project. Unfortunately, not everyone is made out to work as a crew-leader or a translator. One of the most difficult elements of a crew-leader s or interpreter s work is to make sure that everyone feels comfortable and has a good time while on the project. Even if a volunteer does not want to take part in any of the activities or perform a certain type of work, normal relationships within the crew must be maintained. The work can be quite challenging at times and requires real people skills. This can be complicated by a sometimes seemingly insurmountable language barrier. Crew-leaders and translators work very hard to ensure that all of our volunteers enjoy the work of trailbuilding, and feel a connection to the other people on the crew. In the end everyone can bring home valuable memories of their time on the GBT, memories which they will cherish for years to come. Igor Dets, GBT Volunteer and Translator Page 4 Our web sait:

5 Расширяем GBT Article Гранты географию Лето 2006 Лето 2005 I m surrounded by mosquitoes and ticks in the middle of Russia s vast Siberian plane. I m sweaty and thirsty and have not seen civilization for over a week. No, I m not lost, I m volunteering on the Great Baikal Trail project (GBT). Reflections from a volunteer picks, scooping up dirt with shovels and heaving rocks aside to make way for the trail, all have a relaxing affect on the body and mind. While working you forget life on the other side of the planet and on breaks have the opportunity to take in the unique vistas of the world largest body of fresh water. It is truly amazing. My decision to volunteer on the ambitious GBT project was a last minute decision. I was attracted by the prospect of getting outdoors to experience a nature, meeting some Russians and swinging a sledge hammer. It was more than I had ever expected. Then of course there is the GBT initiation. With rays of lightening racing across the Siberian sky we were all initiated in this secret tradition for volunteers. Of course, I have been sworn to secrecy and can not reveal information from this clandestine code. But, what I can tell you is that being baptized with the waters of Baikal and shedding a bit of sweat and skin on this remarkable project has been worth every cent and every minute of my time. I hope that I am able to come back and do another 700 meters in the near future. Andrew Reckard A Land of Baikal Taiga -2 Project Participant I worked six hours a day, ate for four and sang, slept and swam for the remaining. Working in a team with Russians, Americans, Germans, English and Spanish was both rewarding and hilarious. I don t know how to say pass me the pick in any of my teams native tongues, but somehow, it works (then again, sometimes I was passed a shovel). Together we built around 700 meters of walking track around one of the world s great natural wonders. It was definitely one of the highlights of my life. Personally, I ve probably only built around 35 meters of the total 1000 plus kilometers of the entire trail. That s only around a 1000 years of work if I was employed on a personal level. As the project is intended to take around thirty years, it is evident that the volunteers and professionals who lead this project are crucial to its construction, promotion and use. Working up a sweat on the trail is like meditating; swinging axes and Page 5

6 GBT Newsletter 6 From an idea to real life From an idea to real life; or the real STARs on the GBT Every achievement is first conceived as a mere idea. This is how it was with us at the GBT. Last year, during our fall seminar for GBT staff and partners, Vera Turukhanava and I sat at the last table in a crowded auditorium. We are bemused by the fact that the resounding majority of the people involved with the GBT were young. I recalled the days of my youth in the late eighties and early nineties; how we established trail systems which we labeled ecological, and then proceeded to lead children as well as some of the first foreign hikers on backpacking trips along these trails. Our country had finally opened its doors to foreign visitors and travelers. How things have changed from just years ago! Now not only do foreigners travel freely to our region on vacation, but they also join us in our work. One organization which has come forth to welcome this collaboration is the Great Baikal Trail. Upon hearing the story of a young woman who worked as a crew-leader on one of the trailbuilding projects, I became interested in the challenges of GBT work. It turns out that the difference in ages among the participants on the projects doesn t always generate an auspicious atmosphere. Next year let s assemble a project for the Stars, suggested Vera. Well, we can try, I replied. We define a Star as someone who is a veteran of any kind of environmental work. This is by no means an ageist concept, being a veteran. If you transliterate this term into English, it means Star Person ; someone who is famous, gets things done, or is simply a star. This term means neither more nor less than exactly that. And in spite of all obstacles, we did make it all happen! The obstacles themselves were quite discomforting. At the beginning we found that: - The volunteer groups were not coming together to form a team. - There weren t enough resources to complete the project (for instance, at times we had no access to a chainsaw) - The initiator or local sponsor of the project became taciturn, and did not seem to want to lead us. But I was confident that our projects would succeed and forged on. And everything came together literally on the final day. I was inspired by the arrival of Sandra Burnett from Scotland. Yes! A good beginning. And just like a shake of a magic wand other pieces of the puzzle started coming together. Alexander Filatov joined in, bringing with him a chainsaw, along with Vyacheslav Kochergin and his treecutting tools. The Azhichakovs appeared at the very last moment, with all the supplies, tools, and other simple belongings already packed. And just like that, the STAR group was assembled! Our median age was 50 years old. It would have been unfair, however, if our group had been closed to young people. Although a few young people would dare join, we found 19-year old Andrei Kvashnin was not afraid. This was Andrei s seventh project in the three year history of his work with the GBT. So despite his age, it was not possible to call Andrei a tenderfoot. Thus, we became a group of seven. Most noteworthy is that 6 of us were from Severobaikalsk! We traveled amongst other tourists to the Hydropathic Treatment Center at Khakusi. We did this on a passenger boat of the same name, Khakusi. The weather was fantastic! There was not a cloud in the sky and the water of Baikal was the bluest of blues. Everything was simply pleasing to the eyes. Upon reaching the shore the women began preparing lunch, while the men began constructing a catamaran. We had our own private vessel! After taking medicinal baths in the hot springs we set off towards the beginning of our route; to the Samdakit Bay, located 11 kilometers from Khakusi. The 9 days of our project passed as if they were just one moment. The result of which was yet another trail; a logical extension of last year s trail work established by a group of Russian-American women from the Aman-Kit Cape to the Samdakit Bay. Our trail was laid beautifully; a winding corridor through a thick undergrowth of shrubbery, between heaps of stone and the steep slopes of the Samdakit Bay. The trail leads to an area of broken caves in a series of granite coastal cliffs; one of the many beautiful and sacred places on Lake Baikal. Then it climbs steeply and round the cape before plummeting down a series of switchbacks back down to the Bay. The trail ends up encircling the entire area, with many scenic look-out spots to admire the mountainous relief and the extraordinary sculpture of the rock. A carved pillar indicating the begin- Page 6 Our web sait:

7 The real STARs on the GBT Summer 2006 ning of the trail completes this picturesque exposition of handiwork and natural beauty. We are so lucky! All of our work was accomplished in an incredibly unconstrained and friendly atmosphere. We spent our nights around the fire telling jokes, laughing, and telling stories of past experiences. One of the more memorable experiences was when we encountered a group of tourists who were able to compare the state of the trail both before and after. Their words of thanks were like music to our ears. The true gem of our project was meeting Nikolai Drozdov, a famous personage from the TV show Animal World. He was sincerely amazed by our success and was very grateful to receive GBT souvenirs. He was especially delighted with the small clay nerpa which was handmade and painted by children. And thus, our phase in the course of events of GBT s life was concluded. Behind us was the comfortable bay of Samdakeet with its clean sandy beaches, spit-roasted fish, and its chance encounters with various people who can t imagine life without Lake Baikal. We have parted ways, but our STAR constellation will continue to brighten our skies and warm our souls as we remember the amazing days we spent building what we can only hope will persist in our absence. Klavdia Maryasova «Hot Springs» Project Crewleader Star-persons We were seven people on the project And I say, I am so lucky. We are all so different But we have all been brought together Force and will, wisdom, honor Do not create external obstacles It s not for me to analyze all qualities We are all together Star-persons! In Sandakii Bay Fourth day on the shore, The weather must simply be praised! I cannot find the words To portray the wonder of These harmonious surroundings, Water, sand, and clouds This is the best of places All the characters are assembled. Who needs apartments and houses When there are crowded tents and Campfires on Baikal? Baikal is our homeland Where all is in earnest Rain, and sun, and thunder And where nothing is without levity But how beautiful are the heavens! Half azure and half the deepest of blues The sun burns gold, Rays reaching out over the waves, Flying, piercing into the zenith The roar and silence of Baikal Sweeter than any music Heard from afar Sings the melody of the surf For what else could I possibly wish? In these surroundings There is everything! For which meanings should I search? I live here Here I live! Olga Azhichakova Author of poems and project participant Page 7

8 GBT Newsletter 6 The Tahoe-Baikal Institute-2006 The Tahoe-Baikal Institute From the 17 th of June through the 18 th of August the Russian part of the summer exchange program of Tahoe- Baikal institute took place. The total length of the program was 33 days. 12 of those days were spent in the city of Irkutsk, 8 in the city of Ulan Ude, and nearly 2 weeks were spent on program projects on Lake Baikal. The group consisted of 20 people (10 people from America, 1 from Lithuania, 1 from Bulgaria, and 8 from Russia). Included in the group was Kara Fox, a reporter from the South Lake Tahoe area, and Jennifer Smith, the American program coordinator for the Tahoe-Baikal institute. The Irkutsk portion of the program was managed by the Great Baikal Trail Association, a local non-profit. Included in the program was a visit to the ecological department of the Irkutsk regional Administration, meetings with representatives of other non-profit organizations, lectures regarding the issues surrounding conservation work in the Lake Baikal region, site-seeing trips on the Circum-Baikal railroad, and a visit to the Baikal Museum with lectures on the scientific research work conducted by the museum. An important part of the program was the participation of the entire group in a trail-building project on the section of trail between Listvyanka and Bolshie Koti. The TBI Participants camped out in volunteer s quarters for two days, working on reconstruction of the trail. The participants were inducted into the family of GBT volunteers and along with the Tahoe-Baikal Institute coordinator gave presentations and lectures regarding their work with TBI. An interesting meeting took place in the city of Baikalsk at the Institute of Water Toxicology. This institute is the only one of its kind from the Urals to the Far East, and is in charge of conducting observations of the impact of industry upon the water resources of Siberia and of implementing controls upon industrial concerns. That same day the group went on an excursion to the construction site for the new waste management facility for the Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Mill. The head engineer of this clean-up facility outlined the sequential steps involved in filtering and cleaning the waste waters, as well as his perspectives of the Mill and its self-contained manufacturing cycles. After the Irkutsk part of the program was completed, the group moved on to the city of Ulan-Ude, where the next segment of the program began. This portion of the program was organized by Zhargalma Aleembaeva,senior lecturer at the Buryatia State University. This is where the most important component of the TBI summer exchange program began, namely the individual 2-week projects. Four different projects took place, organized by both the Irkutsk and Ulan- Ude coordinators for TBI. The first project organized by us on the Irkutsk side took place in the Baikal Biosphere Reserve, in the town of Tankhoi. The goal of this project was to create an ethnographical museum. An employee of the Baikal Biosphere Reserve, Victoria Krasnapevtseva, was the one who ran this project for us. In the course of two weeks the participants visited the neighboring town of Tarbagatai, where they were able to become more familiar with the culture and ways of life in keeping wtih older beliefs and traditions. The result of their work would be the addition of an exhibit in the ethnographical museum and the completion of a monograph on the subject. The second project organized by us in Irkutsk was a speleology trip focused on the study of the caves in the Aya Bay (Olkhon Region, at the mouth of the Anga River). The leadership of this project fell to the director of the speleology club ( Arabika ), Alexander Osinstev. The result of this project was the composition of a detailed topographical map of the systems of the Aya-Ryadovaya caves, the discovery of a new underground grotto, as well as the gathering of a large quantity of Paleontologic samples, which will be transferred to experts for analysis. Organizers from Buryatia provided for the projects in Zabaikal ski National Park and in the Okinski region of the Eastern Sayan Mountains. The project in the Zabaikal ski National Park took place on the shores of the Chiverkuyski Bay. Marina Tsirenova, of the Buryatia State University, took on the leadership role for this project, the goal of which was to compose a geographical-botanical map of the Svyatoi Nos Peninsula. Participants in this project collected imprints, took notes, and recorded GPS coordinates, all of which will form the framework for the creation of a new map of flora for the area. The Okinski region of the Eastern Sayan Mountains was the site of yet another project. This project focused on the practices of livestock rearing and breeding by nomadic peoples in the region. Svetlana Holboeva provided direction for this project. The principle method for gathering data on this pro- Page 8 Our web sait:

9 Educational programs in USA Summer 2006 ject was through conducting interviews with native people representatives; namely Buryats and Sayots, who are actively restoring traditional ways of nomad living. There are plans to designate this territory as a National Park. After the projects had all finished, the group of participants from the Tahoe-Baikal Institute re-united in Irkutsk, where they gave reports and presentations on the work they completed while on the project. The 18 th of August was the final day of the program. At five in the morning the majority of the group caught their flights home. And in the evening the remainder boarded the train back home to Ulan-Ude. Enormous thanks to all the participants! You were a magnificent group! Elenora Eremchenko Irkutsk Program Coordinator for the Tahoe-Baikal Institute GBT Project Coordinator Educational programs based in the United States Earth Corps, an organization headquartered in Seattle, Washington, is involved in a variety of ecological projects, and has had a long-standing relationship with our Russian partner organization, the Great Baikal Trail. This relationship is more than a simple international exchange program, as the experiences gained on the exchange are applied to the lives and daily work of the volunteers on both sides. In fact, the exchange itself is intrinsically tied to the goals of both organizations. I began working with the Great Baikal Trail in 2002, as a volunteer. In this last year, as a result of many complications intertwined with my life and the life of the organization, I was presented with the opportunity to assist on my first project. From the 14 th of February 2005 to the 14 th of August 2006 I worked and studied as a volunteer for the Earth Corps organization in Seattle. After this I was able to spend a short period of time, from the 23 rd of August to the 2 nd of September, in Alaska. This was my first trip overseas, during which I was able for the first time to fly in an airplane, albeit 11 times. I really enjoyed the United States. Everything was great there, especially the people with whom I worked and interacted with. Volunteers come to work with Earth Corps from all over the world, which made for a very rich and diverse experience. We lived with host families, who fed us (thanks to funding from Earth Corps). We also received a monthly stipend from Earth Corps for living expenses. Our daily volunteer instruction was complemented with work on restoration projects. We fortified river banks, built and maintained trails in the local forested mountains, removed harmful invasive plant life from local city parks, etc. Working as a group of varied experience levels and ages, we obtained new skills as managers and trail crew-leaders. We also studied a range of different ecological problems endangering the environment such as: soil erosion, invasive plant species, and various human impacts. We spoke in English, exchanged knowledge, held parties, walked around the city (which is filled with skyscrapers and miscellaneous modern architectural projects), rode mountain bikes, swam in lakes, visited museums, went to movies, and much, much more. I only spent a few days in Homer, Alaska, but in that short time I managed to fall in love with this small city with its marvelous views and wonderful people. I stayed in the home of one of the foreign trail-crew leader volunteers who worked with the GBT on Lake Baikal. His name is Dave Brann. Dave took the time to show me his city and the surrounding forests. He also taught me new trail building techniques, and gave me many new ideas of how to work in a new direction. Of equal importance was my participation in a Rotary Club meeting and the opportunities that came with this. I had to become familiar with the work of other ecological conservation organizations in the area. We also took a day trip into the mountains and for the first time I witnessed the open ocean from the inside of a passenger boat. We even did a little fishing and I caught a small shark. The time I spent in the United States was a never-ending tail of exploration; filled with adventures of all kinds, unexpected moments, and many stories. Most importantly of all I was able to receive invaluable experience, which will help me in my efforts to be disciplined and responsible, as well as assist me in facing challenges and reaching my goals. After seven months spent living in the United States my English language skills have improved greatly, and I have many new friends with whom I maintain contact with through . I have noticed that my world view has widened considerably, and my values have changed. In a word, I have matured. Now I have a new lease on life, and many interesting ideas, which I hope to implement through ecological projects and my work with the GBT. The definition of these goals, which I see now more clearly than before I left, was perhaps the purpose of this trip. I am very thankful to all the people who made my trip to the United States possible and helped me during my stay. Ivan Lisichkin GBT Crew leader Page 9

10 GBT Newsletter 6 Crew leaders The experiences of a burgeoning brigadier after a length of service with Earth Corps in the United States It was with impatience I awaited the arrival of this years summer trailbuilding season. I was anxious to try out my new role of crewleader; how my efforts would work to extend our trail system, and create a cooperative team from a group of absolute strangers. I had many ideas, as the 6 months I worked with Earth Corps in Seattle were not spent in vain. In the end, however, things worked out much differently than I had expected. During the 6 months I was absent from the GBT something had changed. And that, which had remained unchanged, I had almost forgotten. The customary practices of organization and trail work had changed in my head according to the structures of Earth Corps. For example, I had the notion that trails should be built to the width of 3 feet, or a little longer than the handle of a pick, and that a work day is 8 hours long, as opposed to 6. I was also used to being reminded to bring a bottle of water, not being the one doing the reminding. These small things threw me into a small state of confusion, which the other volunteers couldn t help to notice, but after a week everything fell back into its normal place. The experience I acquired in the United States turned out to be beneficial not just for my work with the GBT, but for life as well. I returned to Russia a slightly different person; more determined and independent. These two characteristics can be quite important to us as Russian women, and are absolutely necessary for leaders, such as GBT brigadiers. During my time as a volunteer questions such as where to erect camp, and which methods to use to construct a trail seemed to me as to have no defined answers. The idea that I would be responsible for initiating camp activities was unthinkable. But at Earth Corps I made the decision to apply for an additional 6 months of brigadier training. How I struggled with that decision! I methodically weighed out the pros and cons and prepared myself for the fact that as a leader of a multinational group of volunteers I would be required to be the mainstay of support for the group and present myself as the example. Although this possibility fell through, I was able to confidently accept the responsibility of a brigadier for the GBT after I had returned to Russia because I had long ago weighed out the consequences of this decision. How short the GBT projects seemed to me after Earth Corps! The most important lesson I have learned during my work as a crewleader; is that all people are different, and nothing you can do will change that. Everyone is guided by their personal experiences and holds these experiences to be truths. Someone knows how to correctly sharpen tools, someone else knows how to make soup and organize the camp. One of the challenges of being a crewleader; is taking everyone s different perspectives into account and coming to some sort of group consensus. On top of that you must build trail, which is of course, the main goal of the project and primary expectation of GBT volunteers. Occasionally this doesn t quite work out. Some members of the group may become malcontent and dissatisfied. The brigadier must learn to be perceptive, and keen, but tactful. Sometimes it seems as if I understand foreigners a bit better. After all, I did just recently spend 6 months overseas. It is most likely for this reason that I did not feel as comfortable on my second project in Maximikha, with Russian landscape students from Barnaul. The second I noticed on my second project is that all groups are also different; from gastronomical preferences to attitudes towards work. Every new group must be evaluated anew, and cannot be measured to the previous group. At the start of every project it is necessary to make no small effort in ensuring that everyone feels comfortable with life in the camp, as well as with work on the trail. This can be quite exhausting. But the most rewarding moments for a crewleader; are to see the smiles of gratitude and tearful eyes on the faces of the volunteers upon having to depart on the final, fourteenth day. This alone makes everything worth it. Next summer I will again work as a brigadier. Only this time I will have a little more experience and knowledge. Every project brings with it something new. I will be learning how to better relate with people and how to ensure that they have fun on the project. Not just any old fun, but genuine GBT volunteer fun! Thanks to my keen guidance and tactful leadership. Nadezhda Potapskaya GBT project crewleader Page 10 Our web sait:

11 A look from within Summer 2006 A look from within The national non-profit organization Great Baikal Trail (GBT) has already been in existence now for 3 years. The main goal of the GBT is the development of ecotourism through trail building in the Lake Baikal region. From the fifth to the nineteenth of, near the hydropathic treatment center at Khakusi, an international trailbuilding project took place for the GBT. Summertime in Khakusi is idyllic. It is as if time stands still. The sun shines upon the sandy beaches and crystal clear waters of Baikal. It is a paradise. The atmosphere is quite conducive to rest and relaxation, so passersbys found it odd to see other s working. They often inquired as to the nature of our work: -What are you doing? -We are building a bridge over the river. -Are you from the GBT? -Yes, we are. In Khakusi the knock of axes, the voice of chainsaws, and the mix of Russian and other foreign languages was heard for two weeks while we worked. Thirteen disparate people from Russia, Germany, and Switzerland camped out in tents together, far from life in the City. We cooked meals together, improved our knowledge of foreign languages, and built a great bridge. The youngest of us was 16, the oldest was 76. It was amazing how fast all the people on the project found a common language. We did not have any problems with communication. By the end of the project the participants had grown so close to each other that when time to leave came there were tears in our eyes. During the day we worked hard. At night we played even harder. The combination of the two made for a most memorable experience that every participant will cherish for life. A particularly memorable day was the 7 th of, the day of the Russian holiday known as Ivan- Bather. Nothing had been organized beforehand, but participants of the project weren t about to let the tradition of dousing each other with water go un-celebrated. The result was many wet hugs, smiling faces and shouts of, those were my last pair of dry pants! On the last day the bridge was opened. The first people walked across the bridge. The trial was successful; the goal had been achieved. Our bridge is also a symbol of a link between shores, a link between countries. With the construction of this bridge we have built not just a means of passing an obstruction, but a bridge between different people, countries, and cultures which will continue to be utilized, appreciated, and cherished for many years to come. Tatyana Andriyanova A participant of the Khakusi project Comment: The project of building this bridge across the Khakusi stream was initiated by a group of German volunteers. The hydropathic treatment center Khakusi wishes to express it s gratitude to the leadership of the bureau AO ESRR in Severobaikalsk, and to the School of Eco-Tourism for their generous technical and organizational support of the project. Page 11

12 GBT Newsletter 6 General Report General Report of the Non-profit Organisation The Great Baikal Trail Summer Projects 2006 (compiled by Elena Lagutina from the reports of crew-leaders and project leaders, 21 October) June June June June 4 20 June Irkutsk Region, Pribaikal ski National Park, Bolshoe Goloustnoe village Republic of Buryatia, Zaigraevski region, Atsagat village, Atsagat Datsan Irkutsk Region, Angarsk town, Bolshoi Island, river Kitoi; the southern section of the island Irkutsk Region, Pribaikal ski National Park, Circular-Baikal Rail Road 110km Republic of Buryatia, Muiski region, Taksimo village. 18km along the Bodaibinski track on the bank of the river Aikta, a tributary of the river Kilyana. Republic of Buryatia, Zabaikal ski National Park, Chivirkuiski bay, Monakhovo village Zmeevaya cove Republic of Buryatia, Severobaikalsk Region, Children s Camp Ekho on the Sludyanskie Lakes; 16km from Baikal skoe village. Republic of Buryatia, Severobaikalsk area, northeast shore of Baikal around Khakusi spa resort. The principal aim of this project was the development of cross cultural communication between local residents and the international volunteer group. Tasks jointly carried out were; clearing of litter from the lake shoreline. cultural education lessons for volunteers (including needle-work, wood carvings, learning folk songs). preparing papers on various topics relating to ecology and the preservation of the local natural environment. 1.5km of trail completed in the local area. Work carried out included; ground and concrete foundation work for the continuing construction of a Buddhist stupa. Project summary; new trail built: 1 st section 50metres, 2 nd section 30m. installed 2 wooden benches (height 70cm, length 2m, width 30cm). toilet constructed. cleared litter. set up a small rest area at 110km. prepared an area for a campfire. cleared litter. Completed in the project was; the building of a serpentine trail, 300m long. the construction of 2 wooden and 9 stone stairways. research and planning completed for future works essential for completion of Following the Sun trail. Note: The project was conducted with local children from The Centre for Youth Tourism & Excursions trail cleared of obstructions (trees & shrubs), 20km. the upper section of trail marked. raised walkways constructed in boggy areas. sign boards put up. litter collected from the beach. In this project: the volunteers successfully carried out transportation and erecting of 4 information posts (constructed from tree stumps) and 3 sign boards on a steep serpentine trail near the area of disused mine entrances. 15km of trail (from the Ekho holiday camp Baikal skoe village) cleared of obstructive vegetation. the trail bed was widened in several areas. 7 information boards prepared for Ekho holiday camp. work carried out with children at Ekho children s camp: 4 small trails set out, with total length of 250m. Completed in this project was the construction of a suspension bridge over the mountain river Khakusi (bridge length 11m + additional 2.5m at the foundations, width 90cm, height of supports 5m). Page 12 Our web sait:

13 Summer August 25 7 August 25 1 August 29 7 August 7 20 August Irkutsk Region, Pribaikal ski National Park, Listvyanka Bolshie Koti, in area around Srednyaya Valley Visiting group from Tahoe- Baikal Institute. Republic of Buryatia, the area surrounding Turka village, trail from Turka village to Goryachinsk village. Republic of Buryatia, Barguzin Biosphere Nature Reserve, Davsha village. Republic of Buryatia, Zabaikal ski National Park, Krokholinaya Bay Bolshoi Chivirkui river. Republic of Buryatia, Kabanski region, Tankhoi village, Baikal Biosphere Reserve, Osinovka river Irkutsk Region, Pribaikal ski National Park, Listvyanka to Bolshie Koti, in the area surrounding Srednyaya valley Visiting group Republic of Buryatia, Ust - Barguzin Forest Service, in the area surrounding Maksimikha village. Republic of Buryatia, Kabanski region, Tankhoi village, Baikal Biosphere Reserve, Osinovka river cleared and constructed 630m of trail. rest area set up with 2 benches, table and awning. essential structures completed (stone & wooden steps, small bridge, stairs to descend to the water). litter collected. 200m of trail built. work carried out on 2.5km of trail, including construction of new trail bed (500m). stairway of 9 stone steps built, 6 large stepping stones laid out in boggy section, 24 litter bins made from fencing wood, 3 rest areas set up. litter cleared from all areas of the trail. approximately 1km of trail cleared and repaired. 1 table and 5 benches built. dismantled and cleared dilapidated buildings within the grounds of the nature reserve. cleared 12 carloads tree-cuttings & 10 carloads litter. Work completed: obstructive vegetation cleared from the trail path in areas that required such work (20km in total). fallen trees cleared from trail path. marked the entire trail. sign boards made and erected. raised walking platforms installed in boggy areas. litter cleared from the beach. The following work was completed: more the 800m of new trail built. obstructive vegetation cleared from trail path (700m). trail re-routing which involved a high level of demanding ground work (200m). various essential structures built, including: stair way, gutters and stone steps. 2km of trail marked. information board prepared and set up 750m of trail built. essential structures were built including: 4 stone stairways and 6m bridge. litter cleared. 300m of trail built. 5m stair way built, descending to the water. obstructive vegetation cleared from trail path (400m). viewing area laid out. obstructive vegetation cleared from trail path (150m). new trail built leading to viewing area (10m and 5 stone steps). table and benches installed. information board prepared and erected. obstructive vegetation cleared from the trail path between the log cabin and the beach (2km). 52 wooden and 30 stone steps prepared. 2 bridges of 3m each built. trail bed widened in those areas where such work was deemed necessary. hazardous stones removed from trail path. trail approach built leading to the bridges. Page 13

14 GBT Newsletter 6 General Report August August August August August August Septemb er Irkutsk Region, Pribaikal skij National Park, Listvyanka village Bolshie Koti, in the area surrounding Srednyaya valley Irkutsk Region, Pribaikal skij National Park, Listvyanka village Bolshie Koti, in the area surrounding Srednyaya and Chernaya valley Irkutsk Region, Baikalo-Lenaj reserve, Solntsepad valley Republic of Buryatia, the area surrounding Turka village, trail from Turka village to Goryachinsk village. Irkutsk Region, Pribaikal ski National Park, Listvyanka to Bolshie Koti, in the area surrounding Srednyaya valley (children between 6-14 years participated in this project). Republic of Buryatia, Severobaikal ski Region, the north-eastern shore of Lake Baikal, 11km from the Khakusi spa resort, Cape Samdaki. Republic of Buryatia, Zabaikal ski National Park, Barguzin village Chivirkuiski bay Total: 750m of trail built. obstructive vegetation cleared from the trail path leading to Chernaya Valley (4km). essential structures built: a bridge, wooden stair way). litter cleared. - In this project work was carried out on 2500m of trail of which 500m was newly built trail bed. bridge constructed to Chernaya Valley. litter cleared from all areas of the trail. obstructive vegetation and fallen trees cleared from the trail path between Pokoinij cape and Solntsepad valley up to the crossing (7km). 3 rest areas set up (including small tables, benches and areas for campfires). trail marked (5km). litter cleared. 300m of trail built. 5 stone structures built. lake shore and embankment cleared of branches. rest area set out. litter cleared. Project summary (the children completed all of the planned work): laid out stone crossings in boggy areas of the trail. set up a rest area. cleared litter from the area surrounding entire Srednyaya Valley lessons and seminars were held with the children on subjects of ecology and conservation. intrusive vegetation and other obstructions cleared from trail path. trial bed widened where required. existing trail cleared and extended leading to the caves along the shore line (650m). clearing of existing trail along the shore line from the caves near Turali cape (150m). steps built in areas of steep ascent/descent (55m). railings installed at dangerous sections. information boards prepared. intrusive vegetation and other obstructions cleared from the trail path (3.5km) 1 bridge built and 1 bridge repaired. prepared firewood for forestry workers of Zabaikal ski National Park. trail marked and cleared of fallen trees. Cleared, constructed, repaired and marked approximately 90km of trail. The majority of this year s work focussed on constructing major structures (bridges and crossings, stone and wood stair ways, serpentines, etc). In addition rest areas were set up and information boards erected. Several projects were conducted jointly with groups of children. Litter was cleared and removed from the trail area during the course of most projects. In all projects, all volunteers (foreign, Russian and local) were taught and instructed on various topics regarding ecology and environmental conservation. Page 14 Our web sait: