The Centre for Ecological Projects in Kalmykia has been carrying out environmental education work in schools and children’s homes for a number of years, including running art and craft competitions on the theme of Kalmyk nature and culture, with a particular emphasis on saiga conservation. However, the work has been focussed at the 11+ age group.

The Centre is now keen to extend their programme to include younger children, who are also a very important constituency for conservationists to target in order to influence attitudes at an early age and to carry the message home to families.

Following the success of a similar chidren’s book developed in Kazakhstan, funded principally by NABU, this book will include stories, puzzles, craft activities, pictures and poems so that younger children can relate easily to the educational material within.