On the initiative and with the participation of prominent Russian scientists, public figures, and government officials, the All-Russian Society for Nature Conservation—Russia's largest public environmental organization—was founded in 1924.
The purpose of the All-Russian Society for Nature Conservation was the need to voluntarily unite scientific efforts and the most progressive-minded public to restore and rationally manage the country's natural resources, which had been undermined by ruthless exploitation, civil war, and devastation.
Since 1960, VOOP has been a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In 1984, the society was awarded the Silver Medal of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for its active environmental work.VOOP is a member of the Coordinating Council of Public Organizations of Russia, a member of the Roundtable of Public Environmental Organizations, and a founder of the Russian Green Cross Organization, the Ecological Congress, and the Russian Ecological Movement (RED).
Throughout its development, the Society has assisted government agencies, primarily environmental protection agencies, in addressing a variety of environmental and ecological issues.
The Society's current goal is to organize a public movement for a healthy and favorable environmental situation in Russia and to create conditions conducive to its sustainable, environmentally safe development. Its main areas of activity include: environmental education and public awareness; dissemination of environmental knowledge; scientific, technical, and practical environmental activities; and public oversight of compliance with environmental legislation. The Society has organizations in all constituent entities of the Russian Federation, with over 3 million members.
VOOP places great emphasis on developing the amateur club movement. Approximately 2,400 clubs specializing in natural sciences (floriculture, aquaristics, pigeon breeding, etc.) operate within VOOP organizations.
VOOP calls on the population of Russia to join its ranks to jointly address environmental issues and provide the Society with the necessary support in protecting the constitutional rights of Russian citizens to a favorable environment.
Start Date: 29.11.2026
End Date: 29.11.2026