This weekend, the practical phase of the All-Russian "ECOLEADER" School project, organized by the V.I. Vernadsky Nongovernmental Ecological Foundation, began in Chelyabinsk Region.

Thirty young environmentalists — winners of the theoretical stage from all over Russia — gathered at the "Lesnaya Zastava" children's health camp to dive into the world of science, ecology, and innovation.

The first day was dedicated to participants getting to know each other, defining the program's goals, and completing initial questionnaires. However, the very next day, the young ecologists were already immersed in an intense program right in the heart of Chelyabinsk.

The morning of September 21st began with an educational trolleybus tour titled "Scientific Dynasties and Scientific Schools of Chelyabinsk". The participants not only learned about the history of the city, but also got acquainted with its rich scientific heritage.

On the very first day, the students had the opportunity to attend the "Kstati" science festival, which is being held for the fourth time in Chelyabinsk. The festival was organized by the Information Center for Nuclear Energy (ICNE). The participants learned about Chelyabinsk's scientific legacy at the monument to Igor Kurchatov.

The group then plunged into the world of science with interactive lectures at the Pushkin Cinema in Chelyabinsk. Biologist and zoologist Ilya Gomyaranov revealed the secrets of animal intelligence, while renowned anthropologist Stanislav Drobyshevsky spoke about the origins of tribes and peoples.

The scientific immersion concluded with an exciting talk show, "What Went Wrong?", where scientists shared stories from their research and expeditions in a stand-up comedy format.

In the evening, the official opening ceremony of the "ECOLEADER" School session took place, where the participants learned about the themes of their future projects and met the teams they would be working with.

Today, the young ecologists embarked on an excursion to the Kashtak Forest Nature Reserve (OOPT), where they are exploring the unique ecosystem of this forest massif.

Ahead of them are many more exciting activities: a visit to the Taganay National Park, excursions to industrial enterprises in Chelyabinsk, and an introduction to modern ecological technologies. The ECOLEADER School promises to be an unforgettable experience for the young environmental defenders, inspiring them to create new ecological projects and initiatives.