ИСТИНА

The plant collection of the Botanical Garden of MSU requires a large number of employees. At present there is no possibility to staff qualified gardeners because of the low wages. There are two solutions of the problem: the search for additional funding for staff or engaging volunteers. A source of additional funding for the branch of the Botanical Garden is the tools of admission. The main territory of the Botanical Garden is closed for public visits, due to a number of important reasons. Visit to the Garden is possible within the excursions only. Unfortunately, the excursion activity does not bring such a high income. In this connection, the volunteer project develops here at present. Since 2009 we have developed the following directions of the volunteer project: work with the community: residents of Moscow and the MSU students who wish to assist a botanical garden, and summer international volunteer camps, where the main participants are students from other countries. Their motivation is an opportunity to visit Russia practically free of charge. In 2010-2011, we worked with about 40 volunteers from Moscow, some of them came only a few times, and others - a weekly basis. The work of this group of volunteers during the season is equivalent to 3 full-time employees, which saves about 2000 euros per month or 15,000 euros per year. Organization of volunteer camp requires certain costs. We provide food and accommodation for volunteers, but thanks to the camp we are able to perform the current job in July and August, when the local volunteers are practically absent. In the future, we expect to develop both these projects. One оf the most important tasks 2012-2013 is improvement of work with the local community. With regard to international camps, we try to enhance the educational program in them. In time, perhaps, the project is converted to a carrying out summer schools in the Botanical Garden of MSU.