At the school named after G. K. Zhukov in Gorno‑Altaysk, an educational programme dedicated to the nature of the Republic of Altai and the conservation of rare species was held with the support of the Irbis Association. The event took place as part of the opening of a renovated biology classroom, equipped with the support of the Sistema Charitable Foundation. New classroom f urniture, microscopes, and experiment kits will allow schoolchildren to gain more practical knowledge and explore the world around them independently. Special attention in the programme was given to environmental education. The Irbis Association organised a special screening of the full‑length documentary film "Хозяин Алтайских гор" ("The Master of the Altai Mountains") for the schoolchildren — a film about the snow leopard and the unique nature of the mountains of the Altai. The film became a starting point for a conversation about biodiversity conservation, a careful attitude towards nature, and human responsibility for the future of one’s native land. For the children, it was an opportunity to see the nature of the Altai and the snow leopard not only in the pages of textbooks but through the real stories of the animals that became the heroes of the film.

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The snow leopard is one of the main symbols of the natural heritage of the Altai. Thanks to our film ‘The Master of the Altai Mountains,' we can show childr en this amazing world in a way that is impossible to see in an ordinary lesson. Through the story of specific snow leopards, we can talk about much more important things — a careful attitude towards nature, human responsibility, and the value of the territory where they live

noted Ali Uzd enov, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Interregional Irbis Association.

After the film screening, specialists from the Sailugemsky National Park held creative workshops for the schoolchildren. The children learned more about the nature of the Altai, rare species, and the work of specialists who are involved in the conservation of natural areas and environmental education. For the Irbis Association, environmental education for children is an important part of the work to conserve the snow leopard and its habitat. Getting to know the nature of their native region helps foster a responsible attitude towards the world around them and an understanding of the value of the natural heritage of the Altai in the younger generation.

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It is especially significant for us that this conversation is taking place precisely with the children of the Republic of Altai — those who in the future will have to preserve and develop their region and support the nature of their native land

emphasised Ali Uzdenov.

The Irbis Association thanks the Sistema Charitable Foundation , the Sailugemsky National Park, and the school named after G. K. Zhukov for their cooperation and the opportunity to create new formats of environmental education for children together. Support for the event was also provided by: VTB Bank and the "Wildlife and the World" Foundation.