Large-Scale Project of the RGS "Guardians of the North" Launches in Yamal

Полярное сияние над озером Большое Хадатаёганлор в ЯНАО. Фото: Сергей Галко, участник конкурса РГО "Самая красивая страна"

The Russian Arctic is an amazing world – it is impossible not to fall in love with it. Its expanses are vast, nature is harsh, but beautiful. This land holds great wealth and is capable of giving a lot to a person, but it needs care and protection. The Guardians of the North Award, established by the Russian Geographical Society and the Government of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area, is designed to celebrate people who have devoted their work, their love, their lives to the Arctic, the development and protection of unique Arctic territories. Scientists and travelers, entrepreneurs and environmentalists, journalists and bloggers are invited to participate in the large-scale campaign. The applications have been accepted since April 10 on the project's website and will be until July 10.

The most reliable "guardians of the North" will be selected in seven categories: "Journey and Expedition", "Preservation of Cultural Heritage", "Protection of the Environment and Biological Resources", "Best Media Coverage", "Best Environmental Project", "Photography", and "Man in the Arctic". The winners, who will be determined by the expert council, will receive cups and awards in the amount of 100,000 rubles. The winner in the category "Man in the Arctic" will  be awarded the Guardians of the North Cup.

The expert council of the first award in the history of Russia dedicated to the development of Arctic territories includes Chairman of the Polar Commission of the RGS Viktor Boyarsky; President of the Arctic Expedition Center and honorary polar explorer Vladimir Chukov; holder of the Order of Courage, yachtsman Nikolai Litau; Deputy Director of Russian Arctic National Park, ornithologist Maria Gavrilo; as well as other famous scientists and public figures.

The competition will be held once every two years. The RGS’s Guardians of the North Award ceremony is scheduled for December 9, 2023.

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Бескрайняя Арктика. Ямало-Ненецкий автономный округ. Фото: Виталий Климов, участник конкурса РГО "Самая красивая страна"

“I hope that ‘Guardians of the North’ will become a significant award in the region. This will be our first kind of Yamal Arctic Oscars," said Dmitry Zhdan, a member of the Council of the Regional Branch of the Russian Geographical Society in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area.

You can learn more about the Guardians of the North Award and submit an application on the project's website.