Biodiversity Conservation in the Russian Portion of the Altai-Sayan Ecoregion

The key objective of this project is to conserve the globally significant biodiversity of the Altai-Sayan Ecoregion through the expansion, consolidation, and operationalization of an effective PA system in the Russian portion of the ASE in close coordination with similar efforts in other countries of the ASE. The project will contribute to the conservation of globally significant biodiversity through the addition of 900,000 hectares of protected areas (national and regional P.A.s). Additionally, globally important rare and endangered species will either have halted or reversed their decline as a result of this project in the Altai Sayan eco-region. The project proposed here is the first phase of a longer term initiative. In this phase, the focus is on safeguarding identified key territories for biodiversity in the Altai-Sayan Ecoregion, stabilizing the currently deteriorating situation, and building institutional capacity to provide for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development over the long-term. The aim of the second phase is to scale up and replicate lessons and best practices derived from the successful demonstration projects and other activities of this first phase project.