KALUGA, April 27 (RIA Novosti) - The March of Parks worldwide campaign is continuing in the Ugra National Park in the Kaluga Region, near Moscow. It originated in the United States in 1990, and Russia joined it in 1995.
More than 1,000 residents of the Kaluga Region, mostly schoolchildren from nearby towns and cities, took part in the march during the first week. They cleaned up roadsides, parks and gardens around old Russian mansions.
"Usually Marches of Parks are held to attract funds for environmental projects. Our goal is also to attract as many volunteers as possible and to promote environmental education", said Lyudmila Zhdanova, a spokesperson for the Ugra National Park.
Nearly 3,000 more people are expected to participate in the march before it ends.
The Ugra National Park was established in 1997 to protect the unique landscape of the Ugra and Zhizdra rivers. There are 20 natural monuments and 4 ornithological reserves, as well as architectural monuments and more than 130 archaeological sites in the park. The park was the site of a number of major battles, from the Great Stand on the Ugra River in 1480 to military operations during World War II. Optina Pustyn, a well-known Russian Orthodox monastery, is also situated here.
