News & Events
Stay up to date on what’s happening in Altai and at The Altai Project.
Happy 150th birthday to Grigory Choros-Gurkin!
For every Picasso and Rembrandt, there are many more lesser-known artists; this is the case with Grigoriy Choros-Gurkin (1870-1937). He is one of Altai’s greatest artists and most important cultural figures. The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of Choros-Gurkin’s birth and an ideal time to draw attention to the man and his work. Regarded […]
Conservation of the sacred Ukok Plateau
Ukok is unlike any other place in the world…pristine, magical, and spectacular.
Altai Petroglyph Complexes in Mongolia and Russia
Rock art is found widely across Greater Altai. Bronze and Iron Age petroglyphs depict animals, people, and culture. The sites are fragile and in need of protection.
Altai Argali wild sheep
Description of the Altai Argali wild sheep species, its conservation value, threats, and protection efforts.
Dyalama ribbon tying as a spiritual practice
Description of the practice of dyalama – tying ribbons as a spiritual practice in Greater Altai
Cultural practice in Altai: tengrism, animism, and shamanism and their historical expression
This page introduces important concepts and traditions that are specific to Greater Altai.
Altaian Language
Altaian, divided into North Altaian and South Altaian is a closely-related group of Turkic languages. This article focuses on the language as spoken in Russia’s Altai Republic.
VIDEO – Highlands of Mongolian Altai – Future UNESCO World Heritage Site?
This 15-minute English-language video was prepared by our partners at the Foundation for the Protection of Natural and Cultural Heritage. The video shows the importance of the natural and cultural heritage of this proposed UNESCO World Heritage Site in western Mongolia.
Preserving Altai Cultural & Natural Heritage
Read about our recent initiative to protect the cultural and natural heritage of Greater Altai
News in the Time of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic is a challenging and uncertain time for humans around the globe. We are seeing the ripples of tremendous and complex impacts and changes in our homes, our communities, and around the world. The same is true in the conservation world.
When an eagle runs up roaming charges
Learn about Min the Steppe eagle who ran up a huge roaming bill for Russian researchers.
Altaian Raptors in Action
Here are some images of Altai’s many different raptor species and a few other special appearances.
Ending the year on a high note
2018 did not go as expected. Given global politics, we had anticipated a very difficult year; instead we’ve had one of our most successful years to date.
Renewables in Altai, a look back
Altai Republic is the only Russian region where ALL locally produced energy is produced from renewable sources!
We have a new look!
The Altai Project is thrilled to share a few pieces of exciting news! In honor of our 20th anniversary, we are pleased to reveal our new logo. For 20 years The Altai Project has consistently focused on preserving the indigenous culture, wildlife, and environment of this beautiful region. Our new logo represents that […]
Fall 2017 Updates
Earlier this summer, researchers obtained camera-trap photos of a mother with three adolescent kittens at her side traversing a hillside and strengthened their knowledge of 25+ individual cats in Altai Republic!
Altaigate. The Final Chapter. (Novaya Gazeta article)
NovayaGazeta.ru: Altaigate. The Final Chapter By Elena Racheva 16 Feb 2017 A helicopter carrying Anatoly Bannykh, well-known organizer of hunting trips for wealthy government officials, has crashed into Lake Teletskoye. This is his second catastrophe. The first cost Bannykh the vice-premier’s seat. Today’s crash, it seems, will have cost much more. The Ministry of Emergency Affairs […]
What is new with The Altai Project?
An update on The Altai Project and conservation in Altai.
News from Jennifer
We had an introspective summer and early fall, contemplating events in Russia and their implications for the future. We have some big news on that later this month, but first let’s catch up on recent goings on in Altai.
“Land of the Snow Leopard” Festival
Since its inception in 2009, this Festival has expanded into a popular youth-centered environmental movement with schoolchildren coming from as far away as Mongolia.
New Snow Leopard Video Footage!
Sergei Spitsyn just sent a report from the field; he’s been working on Chikhacheva Ridge for the last 10 days, checking camera traps, deploying new ones, seeing what the latest snow leopard going ons there are. Good news! Adult male Khorgai visited numerous camera traps, and female Guta not only reappeared after a lengthy absence, […]
Jennifer Castner Describes The Altai Project
Watch a short video of Jennifer Caster describing the work of The Altai Project.
On Our Mind in May
We all love Altai dearly, and this is why…
A Space for Artists and Entrepreneurs
One of the biggest challenges for artists in remote villages is being isolated from other artists, and the Center for Folk Arts and Crafts provides that connectivity necessary for business and creative success.
On Our Mind in April
According to Altai Republic government sources, tourism is predicted to increase by 10-12% this year over last year in the region.
An Important Film and Message
Our friends at Sacred Land Film Project, another Earth Island Institute project, are thrilled to announce the broadcast of this award-winning 4-film series.
Reforming Poachers
This past February, several teams totaling 25 trackers, rangers, and experts documented that these cats, one of Russia’s most endangered species, are still roaming the area.
On Our Mind in March
Native Americans share genetic markers linking them directly back to ancient peoples who lived in the greater Altai region 20,000-25,000 years ago.
On Our Mind in February
Because of you, we are able to distribute more support to our Altaian partners and expand our fundraising and international reach.
The Lake with a Belly Button
In Altaian the name literally means “lake with a belly button “, and the lake has a small island in its center that is an important wildlife refuge for endangered waterbirds.
Help support Altai’s nature and people.
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Help grassroots conservation efforts in Altai, Altaian indigenous peoples, public education and outreach in Altai and abroad, and efforts to protect sacred sites and cultural monuments.
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