ISAR | Special Programs

During the two-day orientation , ISAR introduced introduced the 30 Russian delegates to the various mechanisms of environmental decision-making and governance in the U.S. with different roles by government and civil society. (The orientation schedule is available in both English (240 KB .doc) and Russian (240 KB .doc).) After the orientation, delegates attended unique eight-day exchange programs to learn about the environmental obstacles and solutions of their host communities where delegates also enjoyed cultural and host family experiences.

At the orientation the delegates heard from a variety of leaders working on a host of environmental issues at the regional and national level. Speakers included both government representatives like Steven Kohl from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as those from national nongovernmental organizations like Michele Boyd from Public Citizen. Every session left time for questions by the delegates and answers with the speakers with many speakers remaining after their sessions to speak further with interested delegates. In addition, sessions on American culture and a strategic planning session helped the delegates to make the most of their experience in the U.S.

During the exchanges, the delegates met local governmental officials, nonprofits, businesses, and citizens and learned about their work to protect the environment. ISAR designed its program so that each delegate found him/herself in a unique grassroots environment where it was possible to better understand interactions and relationships between American federal, state and local governments as well as the role of civic organizations and NGOs in American society.

• Alice Ferguson Foundation (Accokeek, Maryland) - Environmental Education and Watershed Protection. Highlight: Delegates shadowed AFF staff at Hard Bargain Farm's educational facility, toured Patuxent Elementary School and went on a trip to Rehoboth Beach.
• ISAR: Resources for Environmental Activists (Washington, DC) - Sustainable Forestry. Highlight: Delegates visited Shenandoah National Park and George Washington National Forest to meet with forest rangers, administrators and fire prevention experts to see on-the-ground governmental management of forest resources in the U.S. Read More about this ISAR-hosted exchange.
• Ecologia (Middlebury, Vermont) Environmental Education, Public Ecological Awareness and Ecotourism (Special November exchange) Highlight: Delegates observed a public hearing on "The Issue of Pollution from International Paper Plant" by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources to take comments. The delegates were impressed by the civil demeanor of all the participants, the orderly manner in which testimony was taken and the variety of thoughtful points made by the diverse group of speakers.
• International Crane Foundation and Friends of Muraviovka Park (Baraboo, Wisconsin) - Community Conservation of Red-crowned Cranes. Highlight: In addition to visiting local schools, universities and environmental education outreach centers, the delegates met with Wisconsin State Representative Marlin Schneider and received a complete tour of the state capital building.
• Pacific Environment (Anchorage, Alaska) - Community fisheries in Alaska (special mid-October exchange). Highlight: Delegates met with Bill Webber, a local fisherman and tribal community member, who builds boats and has successfully developed a direct marketing business for his salmon.
• Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (Valdez, Alaska) - Oil Spill Prevention and Response, Handling and Transportation of Crude Oil and Petroleum Products. Highlight: Delegates were given an extensive tour of the NOAA vessel FAIRWEATHER, which is designed and outfitted primarily for conducting hydrographic surveys in support of nautical charting. They also had the opportunity to see the site of the Exxon Valdez grounding.
• Government Accountability Project (GAP) (Seattle, Washington) Nuclear Monitoring, Safety and Nonproliferation, Government Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Laws (December exchange) Highlight: The delegates met with the Secretary of State, Sam Reed, as well as the Governor's Natural Resource Policy Advisor, Elliot Marks. In addition, the delegation was interviewed by Marianne Barisonek from Portland Public Radio in preparation for a radio show on the twentieth anniversary of Chernobyl. The show was broadcast in January (http://www.earthvision.biz/20lives/).

Please contact Do Lee for any further questions.