VTB and the Nature Protection Fund have implemented projects in 26 regions

VTB, together with the Nature Defenders Fund, has implemented projects to preserve biodiversity in 26 regions of Russia. Petr Shpilenok, Advisor to the President and Chairman of the VTB Management Board, Director of the Foundation for Nature Defenders, told about this at the Ecology International Forum.

"Last year, at the forum, VTB and the Nature Defenders Fund announced the creation of a system to support specially protected natural areas. During the year, we were able to launch projects in 26 regions of Russia and allocate grants of more than 14 million rubles to young environmentalists and young scientists. In 2026, we plan to expand the formats of assistance to protected areas," said Shpilenok.

"Russia has one of the largest natural resources in the world, while several years ago the largest international environmental organizations ceased their activities in the country. The importance of combining the bank's resources with the expertise of nature protection specialists is increasing. Thanks to our work with the foundation, we have been able to implement projects in three areas: saving rare species of animals, combating poachers and eliminating environmental disasters," added Natalia Kochneva, Senior Vice President of VTB.

The "Saving the Little Ones" program helps to restore the population of speckled ground squirrels and muskrats. Another project, The Soul of the Great Steppe, is aimed at the reintroduction of the Przewalski horse, which has disappeared from the wild.

In the Leningrad, Murmansk and Arkhangelsk regions, in order to counteract poaching, the foundation has created an operational group of inspectors. Equipment and equipment were purchased for her and training events were held. During the year, the group carried out 7 raids in specially protected natural areas, and revealed 30 violations.

During the liquidation of the consequences of the accident in the Black Sea, assistance was provided to birds and dolphins (including the Red Book). A rehabilitation center was built for more than 10,000 birds, and a hospital for dolphins. The foundation also supported volunteers who cleaned the coast of fuel oil.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.