Students of the Faculty of Natural Sciences conducted bird registration in the Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve

In August 2023, students from the Faculty of Natural Sciences of ENU named after L. Gumilyov participated in the Students for  Nature Field Camp 2023, which took place in the Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve. The camp brought together 20 young students from Kazakhstani universities in Almaty, Astana, Uralsk, and Atyrau. The camp was organized by the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan in partnership with Chevron.

The main theme of the camp was dedicated to the study and monitoring of Important Bird Areas (IBA). Participants conducted bird counts on routes and water bodies, installed camera traps, and participated in lectures and practical sessions. They walked early routes daily and counted birds at lakes Sultankeldy, Esey, Sholak, and Zhuma. As a result of their observations, 98 bird species were recorded, including rare birds listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan.

Discussions were held with participants about successful nature conservation cases in Kazakhstan, as well as a workshop on professional nature photography by National Geographic Qazaqstan professionals.

Qualified zoologists, scientific staff, and reserve and ASBK specialists conducted the sessions.

The aim of the event was to support the development of young specialists who could become professionals in the field of nature conservation in the coming years. "The field research camp was full of unforgettable adventures for me. Staying at the camp was not only an educational experience for me but also a time spent with wonderful people who shared my passion for research. These days filled me with inspiration and enthusiasm that will stay with me forever," shares ecology student Makhmet Narkyz.

Since September 2022, ASBK (Kazakh Association for Biodiversity Conservation) has been implementing the Students for Nature project aimed at increasing the potential and acquiring new knowledge and skills of students in the field of nature conservation. Motivated students of ENU named after L. Gumilyov have participated in lectures, ornithological excursions, and training on methods for counting wild animals throughout the year.