Since the beginning of October, 278 Kazan schoolchildren have attended biology lessons on SIBUR's new eco-trail.

      In the lessons the children become acquainted with the local flora and fauna

      Photo: SIBUR

      Since the beginning of October, 278 students from eight Kazan schools have visited the new eco-trail “Hedgehog Route.” There the administrations of the Kirovsky and Moskovsky districts conduct outdoor biology lessons for the children.

      School expeditions along the eco-trail began last year at the initiative of the heads of the Kirovsky and Moskovsky districts, Vladimir Zhavoronkov. Over 2024 more than 600 schoolchildren attended biology lessons in the new format: “SIBUR’s eco-trail has become a real educational platform for schoolchildren. I visited both routes last year and this summer — it’s interesting and informative even for adults. I am sincerely glad that outdoor biology lessons have become regular. The children used to study ferns from textbooks, and now they find them on the trail and study them in their natural environment. For us, this is an important indicator. The company’s actions to implement the project and the district’s further actions to fill it with subprojects that help our residents — that is the right kind of synergy,” said Vladimir Zhavoronkov.

      SIBUR’s eco-trail consists of two routes, the “Hedgehog Route” and the “Fox Route.” It is part of a large forest area and is located two kilometers from the Kazanorgsintez plant. There are 800 species of flora and fauna here, including more than 70 rare species listed in the Red Book of Tatarstan, and there are also 168‑year‑old pines.

      Each lesson is held individually, accompanied by an experienced instructor. The lesson is adapted to the students’ age. During the expedition pupils discover the amazing world of flora and fauna: they get to know forest plants and their unique properties, study local mushrooms, berries and much more. Sometimes the schoolchildren manage to meet forest inhabitants, for example the black woodpecker.

      Following the lessons, pupils spoke positively about this creative presentation of the material by the guide: “Many thanks to the organizers for an informative excursion: a comfortable bus took us from school to the forest and back, each student was given an audio guide so the guide could be heard, they showed us how living nature exists next to an industrial enterprise. The length of the route is moderate. We didn’t even notice the distance because guide Nafis really captivated the children with his creative and amusing account of the forest. After the excursion the children said the walk was like an adventure; it was interesting even for those who had previously walked the trail — it revealed itself to them in a new way,” shared Marina Murzina, homeroom teacher of the SIBUR class at School No. 130.

      In addition to organized school excursions, SIBUR’s eco-trail has been visited by the Council of Veterans of the Kirovsky and Moskovsky districts, as well as a large number of city residents who go for walks on their own.

      Regular school excursions into the forest are held under a partnership agreement on environmental education events between SIBUR’s Kazan enterprise, Kazanorgsintez, and the administrations of the Kirovsky and Moskovsky districts: “For children such a biology lesson becomes a dialogue with nature — through sounds, touches and small joys like collecting leaves or watching an anthill. On the route children are not only told theory orally but are introduced to nature in practice. And even if the forest goes into winter dormancy, the trail remains educational in any season because it has information panels, tactile elements and interactive sites. We also tell the children how industry and nature can coexist as good neighbors in harmony if there is responsible environmental stewardship,” said Ayrat Safin, General Director of Kazanorgsintez.

      You can view the routes in the mobile app “Volga Trail,” where there is a map, tips and recommendations for eco-friendly recreation. The eco-trail can be reached from Vasil'chenko Street (there is an informational sign there) or from the “Mebelgrad” stop (landmark: Rakhimova St., 1).

      As a reminder, the development of the environmental project “Green Trails of Kazan” has begun in Kazan. It was initiated by the city’s chief architect, Ilsiyar Tukhvatullina, and the route was developed by traveler and local historian Timur Tsiunchuk. The project envisions connecting the city’s natural areas and green zones into a single network of pedestrian routes. According to preliminary estimates, the total length of the trail will be about 190 kilometers. More than 75% of the routes will pass through forest-park and natural zones; the remainder will go through parks and green islands in the city, as well as along residential areas and city streets.

      Kamilla Salikhzyanova

      More news about the event:

      278 Kazan schoolchildren have visited biology lessons on SIBUR’s eco-trail since the beginning of October

      In the lessons the children become acquainted with the local flora and fauna

      Photo: SIBUR

      Since the beginning of October, 278 students from eight Kazan schools have visited the new route of SIBUR’s eco-trail “Hedgehog Route.” 14:09 19.11.2025 Administration of Kazan - Kazan

      278 Kazan schoolchildren have visited biology lessons on SIBUR’s new eco-trail since the beginning of October

      In the lessons the children become acquainted with the local flora and fauna

      Photo: SIBUR

      Since the beginning of October, 278 students from eight Kazan schools have visited the new “Hedgehog Route” eco-trail. 12:59 19.11.2025 Administration of Kazan - Kazan

      News from neighboring regions on the topic:

      In Penza an ecological lesson was held for schoolchildren

      An ecological lesson took place at School No. 38 named after B. F. Zubkov in Penza. This lesson aimed to teach schoolchildren to appreciate nature and care for its preservation. 11:56 19.11.2025 Penza-Post.Ru - Penza

      “Quantorium” of School No. 16 held an excursion for primary school pupils

      On November 19 “Quantorium” of School No. 16 opened its doors to second-grade pupils from School No. 10. 14:55 19.11.2025 Education Committee of Chita - Chita