Preparing to Launch New Long-Term Initiatives

Together, we have launched our first long-term public initiative calling for a ban on the logging of wild Siberian cedar and oak forests in Russia—specifically within natural ecosystems. This initiative is grounded in scientific evidence, research conducted by Russian scientists, and the rapidly worsening decline of the natural food base that wildlife depends upon. This is a problem that field experts are openly warning about.

Of course, meaningful change will not happen overnight. This is a difficult, long-term effort. We need to unite a large number of people around this issue, consistently explain what is happening, and direct our collective efforts toward achieving systemic change.

As the next step, within the coming days, I propose launching another long-term initiative—one focused on reforming the way Amur tigers are protected, creating an early conflict prevention system, and restoring lost habitat. In reality, these two initiatives are deeply connected, because the destruction of Siberian cedar and oak forests in the Russian Far East is one of the primary drivers of ecosystem degradation. Ultimately, these measures are essential for supporting the natural recovery of tiger habitat.

From there, we can continue developing practical mechanisms to address these chronic environmental crises by launching new long-term initiatives and building comprehensive strategies around them. I am deeply concerned about the widespread extermination of wolves—a problem that receives virtually no public attention. Equally alarming is the dramatic increase in bear hunting quotas, along with serious inconsistencies in the population data reported by government officials. Another critical issue is the ongoing destruction of Russia's protected natural areas and what has effectively become the appropriation of parts of the country's protected area system by wealthy private interests.

All of these challenges require serious work, but our resources are limited. That is why we must move forward step by step. We will focus on the directions that we are capable of advancing together. Our mission is to expose these environmental pressure points, connect them into a broader picture, and work toward meaningful systemic change.

I believe this is possible, even amid today's global uncertainty and chaos. Let's keep moving forward and continue our Mission together.