(Above) Through a site visit to Gulf Islands National Seashore, delegates explored the protection of shorebirds.
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The March 2009 Russian Delegation
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In late March, five Russians traveled to Northwest Florida to learn more about environmental management practices and about how recreational and economic opportunities can exist while preserving biological diversity. The delegation consisted of two teachers, the director of the Olekminskiy Russian Federal Nature Reserve, the director of the Bastak Russian Federal Nature Reserve, a researcher with the Russian Academy of Sciences, and two U.S. Dept of State interpreters. Although they were in town for a short 48 hours, they accomplished a great deal.
Board member Joe Denmon met our visitors at the airport and then joined them the next night for a home hospitality evening in the home of Michael & Belinda Kerr, organized by Council member Kathy Kerr. Also at the dinner were Council board member & City of Pensacola Councilman Sam Hall and Council founder Jena Melancon. The group was presented with Honorary Citizenship with the City of Pensacola and then enjoyed the musical talents of host Michael Kerr & delegate Vasiliy Solkin.
Their professional program began with a visit to the Nature Conservancy in Milton to learn about prescribed burns, the goals of the organization, and its success in the protection of the red cockaded woodpecker. Upon returning to Pensacola Beach, the group learned about the protection of shorebirds in the Gulf Islands National Seashore from biologist Mark Nicholas. This was followed by an overview of environmental reporting given by Gary Ghioto of the University of West Florida.
The next morning, just seven hours before their flight, the group met with Escambia County officials and through presentations and three site visits, they examined environmental conservation, ecotourism, and the conservation of waterways. Robert Turpin & Taylor "Chips" Kirschenfeld of Escambia County presented facts & figures and then they, Keith Wilkins, and Sava Varazo took the group to the Jones Creek Restoration Project and to Project Greenshores where the group was surprised by dolphins. The third site visit was to Little Sabine Bay where a private citizen volunteered his boat for a tour which was given by Mr. Turpin, Manager of the Marine Resources Division.
Their program ended with a short visit to a North Hill home to enjoy tea and finger foods before heading to the airport to catch a flight to New York.
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| At the Nature Conservancy |
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| At the Jones Creek Restoration Project |
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| Gulf Islands National Seashore |
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| Gulf Islands National Seashore |
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| Oysters for lunch |
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| At Little Sabine Bay |
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| Touring the area |
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| At Project Greenshores just after the dolphins arrived |
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| A walk in the woods |
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| On Pensacola Beach |
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| Music, the international language |
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| Kathleen Kerr with our Russian delegates |
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To see all of our delegation photos, go to www.pnj.com & enter "citizendiplomacy" (one word) under the "Search People" feature. Once on our page, select the photos box to find photo folders organized by event.
Visit our calendar to view upcoming events and to see how you can become involved with the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council.
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