“City’s Nature” Ecological Festival Opens in Perm’s Balatovo Park

Photo: Sergey Petrovykh

The festival runs until June 6. A rich programme has been prepared for residents and guests of the city – workshops, excursions, games, and quests.

In Perm, the ecological festival “City’s Nature” has opened in the Perm’s Balatovo Recreational Park. The programme of events appeals not only to professional ecologists but also to everyone concerned with environmental issues. Representatives of city and regional authorities and Perm enterprises attended the festival’s opening ceremony.

“Our goal is to make Perm bloom even more every year, to let the nature bring joy to residents and guests of the city. We are rightly considered to be the greenest city with a population of over one million in Russia, and we must preserve this status for our children and grandchildren. The “City’s Nature” eco-festival is being held for the sixth time, and each time we unlock the full green potential of our beloved city. The festival programme features many master classes and other interesting activities that await everyone who visits the Balatovo Park these two days,” the Mayor of Perm Eduard Sosnin said in his welcome speech.

The festival takes place for the sixth time and each year it brings together professional ecologists, activists from public organisations, volunteers and unindifferent citizens of all ages.

The eco-fest will be open until 6 June from 11:00 to 20:00. Visitors can enjoy interactive exhibits in the “City’s Nature” pavilion. This area features a “Green Mail” programme with messages addressed to the inhabitants of river valleys, as well as the series of master classes. At the “Eco-Workshops” areas citizens can make nesting boxes for birds and insect hotels, when the “Nature Laboratories” offer participants a chance to study nests and feathers, examine invertebrates, learn about the diversity of fish in Perm Krai and explore the structure of a plant.

Additional activities include an environmental-educational area about Perm’s notable trees “Under the Canopies of Time”, a nature observation station “Among the Grasses”, a play area “Forest Games”, botanical competitions “Know-Your-Herb and Know-Your-Tree” and a conservational quest “Toad Patrol”.

Over the two days, as part of the traditional “Eco-Volunteer” campaign, volunteers are helping to clean up natural areas, plant vegetation and install bird and insect houses. Registration is available online or on-site at the “City’s Nature” pavilion’s headquarters.

The “Good Fair” area offers consultations with dog trainers and veterinarians, master classes on making dog beds, interactive activities from the “Kot Matroskin” and “Good Heart” animal shelters, demonstration performances with training elements and free animal vaccination.

On 6 June, the festival will be complemented by sports activities: a bicycle ride through the Chernyaevsky Forest, Nordic walking sessions, a running walk and open-air yoga session. Guided by experts eco-education walks through the Chernyaevsky Forest will also take place.

Over the two days, Perm musicians and performing groups will give concerts at the festival site.

The “City’s Nature” ecological festival is organised by the Perm City Administration and the municipal institution “PermPark” with the support of the Perm Krai Government.