When it came to saving the river in their hometown, graduate student-activist Grigoriy Poskrebeyshev and artist Vera Minina knew that only a grassroots revolution would do. After meeting in 2005, the young duo launched Vyatka Riverkeeper in one of Russia’s northernmost cities, Kirov. Many years later, Grigoriy and Vera continue to pave the way as a program of Waterkeeper Alliance in Russia.
Determined to learn the truth about environmental threats in his own region, Grigoriy, then an undergraduate student, set out to see it all for himself. Hitchhiking to protests, events and national parks, urgency and inspiration fueled him as he made his way to Moscow. Here, Grigoriy stumbled in on a meeting of one of Russia’s first green parties, simply knows as “Green Russia.” Later, Grigoriy was elected as one of the party’s regional representatives and currently serves as a well recognized member of Yabloko (Apple), Russia’s leading green party.
Once back in Kirov, Grigoriy resumed his studies at the local university where he met fellow student, artist and environmentalist Vera Minina. As a candidate in the field of Natural Resources and Economic Policy, Vera knew that Kirov needed a comprehensive approach to environmental restoration, conservation and education. After learning about the Waterkeeper Alliance model of watershed protection, Vera saw the potential in applying its principles. The thought of losing the river so prominent in her childhood memories was unbearable. But like all great undertakings, she knew she couldn’t do it alone.
Back on campus, Grigoriy’s name circulated as stories about his travels and environmental thought spread. Vera decided to contact the Grigoriy. The partnership was fated to start yet another Russian revolution – a river revolution. “Through it all, Vera is the person that has supported me the most and I know will continue to do so, no matter what,” says Grigoriy, who now spends more time on the water while Vera, her husband and daughter reside in Moscow.
In Russian, Vyatka is written as Вятка, stemming from the ancient word “вяче,” meaning “larger than.” In turn, the river is one of the largest tributaries of the Kama River feeding into one of Russia’s largest and most famous rivers, the Volga. By early November the river freezes up and remains under ice until mid-April. For locals, the sturgeon was symbolic of the river as one of the many species living in its waters, long before Vera and Grigoriy introduced the coincidental Waterkeeper Alliance logo.
Every summer, paleontologists sift along its banks while families spread out towels and drop in fishing lines. One of the program’s recent initiatives, Project Revival of the Vyatka River, focuses on restoring the health of smaller streams feeding into the Vyatka. “While investigating the watershed, Grigoriy and I stumbled upon unmapped streams that were strangled with garbage or coated with oil,” remembers Vera, “we were shocked.”
Mobilizing and empowering Kirov’s youth is another priority for Grigoriy, “students and young adults are this city’s most active residents,” he reminds us. Members of EcoPolice maintain the cleanliness of urban green space and watershed territory. Candidates at local universities are invited to participate in studies of the Vyatka river, giving future ecologists opportunity to implement their classroom knowledge. In 2010, Vyatka Riverkeeper received funding for a 10 day paleontology themed summer camp which hosted forty participants. Harnessing media, Vyatka Riverkeeper regularly hosts documentaries and movies related to themes of environmental conservation through its “Cinema Club.” Moreover, the end of each showing opens up the room for discussion, possibilities for new partnerships and fundraising.
“We always saw Vyatka Riverkeeper as an ethnic project, not just an environmental one. We want to connect people to their rivers because the water on land is like the blood in our bodies, it is essential – it tells our story and connects us all,” passionately explains Vera. Over the next five years, she will work with Grigoriy to publish “One Thousand Russian Rivers,” a collection of stories and legends told by locals about Russia’s smaller, less known rivers like the Vyatka. “Our vision is bridge generations through citizen fueled research for this project. We believe it will instill a sense of pride and responsibility for the well being of rivers in Russia,” tells Vera.
Looking to the future, Grigoriy brims with excitement. “I want to see the Waterkeeper Alliance movement in Russia grow,” he adds, “and I don’t see any reason why it won’t.”
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