About Us

Winter Anti-Poaching Patrol

About Us

In 2002 Slava Trigubovich, a zapovednik ranger and

conservation biologist in Russia, came to the U.S. seeking

support for his country’s important system of nature preserves

and to protect the last breeding area in Russia of the

globally endangered snow leopard. This visit was so

inspiring that a group of supporters were moved to join with

Slava to create the Altai Conservancy as a means of

mobilizing American support for these important goals.

The Altai Conservancy is a U.S. nongovernmental organization

committed to protecting the natural and cultural heritage of

the Altai Mountains, and to supporting programs, projects

and initiatives that sustain, enhance, or expand Russia’s

networks of strict nature reserves, known as “zapovedniks.”

The Conservancy is incorporated in Vermont as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Working together with the Altai Foundation, the Altai Conservancy raises funds for distribution to individuals and non-profit groups engaged in preserving biodiversity and globally significant natural resources and ecosystems in Russia. There are more than 100 zapovedniks protecting 83 million acres and preserving 80 percent of Russia’s biodiversity in the territories of the Russian Federation. This important system of nature reserves now stretches across the country and covers some 83 million acres of land and 101 distinct ecosystems; it is of critical importance to our planetary health. Since the fall of the Soviet Union and the advent of a market economy, pressures on these valuable environmental resources have risen tremendously. This is especially true in Siberia, which is often perceived as virgin territory that is ripe for the picking.

Funds raised by the Altai Conservancy are used to support six programs areas:

• Preserving Rare & Endangered Species

• Strengthening Zapovednik Management

• Environmental Education

• Scientific research

• Sustainable Economies for Local People

• Protection for vulnerable areas