Atarskaya Luka. Expedition — 2018

The story of how two millennials traded their favorite sneakers for rubber boots to realize: educational tourism is here to stay, and the nature of one’s native land is hardly worse than European ;)

Instead of an introduction

The territory of Atarskaya Luka is located at the junction of three districts of the Kirov Region — Nolinsky, Lebyazhsky, and Sovetsky.

We headed to the site of the next expedition of our university’s team of scientists to see with our own eyes not only the very beauties of the Kirov Region, but also the painstaking work of the researchers.

So, August 2018. Botanists, zoologists, landscape scientists, paleontologists, and us.

Did we bring the rain with us?

As pretty much everyone joked — we brought the rain with us.

Whether a UAZ van with journalists and a couple of novice bloggers can influence the weather — we don’t know, but on the first day we tried not to leave the tents.

On the other hand, if it hadn’t been there, we wouldn’t have seen how new clouds form after it.

Sharing a beautiful sunset

The next day — the main course in our educational journey menu

Vladimir Mikhailovich Ryabov, assistant at the Department of Ecology and Nature Management of Vyatka State University, gave us a tour of the research area. The motorboat sped alarmingly fast down the river — the Vyatka — while we tried to soak up information like sponges, managed to catch “Red Book” birds in our viewfinders, and kept our jaws dropped from the beauty surrounding us.

Belaevsky Bor — a natural monument

Its uniqueness lies in the fact that, alongside forest plant species, steppe species can also be found here. Currently, the bor’s territory is leased by the Nolinsk Timber Industry Company. Together with botanist researchers, forest management schemes and development methods are being designed to cause no harm.

During our exploration of this place, we met the Shestakov family. Recreation here is a long-standing tradition, so the head of the family, Sergei, is genuinely concerned about the state of the natural monument.

“In our time, the forest has deteriorated greatly. I remember it from childhood, I know every corner of it. Now everything is overgrown, the patches of white moss have practically disappeared. A protected status is needed, but not just ‘for show.’”

Sergei Shestakov, vacationer

”Singing Sands” — the dessert of our tour

This is a beach in the Atarskaya Bend area with a stretch of white quartz sand. Interestingly, the sands “sing” only in hot weather. We feared that due to less-than-ideal weather conditions, the interactive concert would be canceled, but fortunately, a brief spell of sun managed to do its job.

A romantic plant

We returned to camp, but not for long. A mug of tea to warm up, and Ekaterina Vladimirovna Ryabova, Candidate of Biological Sciences and Head of the Department of Ecology and Nature Management at Vyatka State University, is already calling us to see what may be the main discovery of this year’s expedition — a site with a large population of a rare but very romantic plant.

Meet the Lady’s Slipper (also known as the Common Venus’s Slipper). Very tiny seeds (more like dust) scatter across the soil and lie in it for 5–8 years, awaiting symbiosis with fungi. Only then do the seeds begin to germinate. The plant blooms in its 20th year. And yes — the plants you see in these photos are 25–30 years old.

Here there was a joke from Stan, who caught himself thinking that this is the very flower that girls metaphorically save until…, but it didn’t pass Karina’s censorship!

By tradition — a group photo. How could we do without one?

Video

We’re breaking stereotypes about travel, including our own. To explore the world, you don’t always need a passport and a visa — sometimes it’s enough to simply look around and realize — the amazing is nearby. Right next to you. Our journey has already begun. Has yours?

Our episode about Atarskaya Luka

Bonus material

For Bear Grylls, this is as easy as looking at your palm and bending your thumb; for Karina, it’s a test of endurance… or of maximum squeal levels.

Karina’s report for GTRK “Vyatka”