On November 1, 1996 the Kamchatka Independent Ecological Group was created with the support of ISAR's Russian Far East Program Office. The aims of our Group are: assisting in the establishment of realistic, rational nature management policies in the Kamchatka region and increasing the standard of living of local peoples while maintaining a protective attitude toward nature.

Two active volcanoes loom over Petropavlovsk, the largest city in Kamchatka.

To conduct independent ecological evaluations and environmental observations

To elicit the sources of pollution and to construct methods of dealing with it.

To assist in the training, education and consultation of the public on environmental questions

To publish ecological information in the mass media

To protect the public's right to a healthy and safe environment

To study the geochemical processes in the modern volcanic regions and the effects of this on human activity in the area.

To organize youth ecological and scientific exchanges both internationally and within Russia.

To create competitions, seminars, conferences, symposiums,summer ecological schools and camps, and expeditions.

Our current projects are: