The Kamchatka Peninsula - one of the last corners of the world, where it is still possible to preserve vast expanses of untouched wilderness and to protect unique and globally significant biodiversity. This volcanic and biologically diverse Russian Far East peninsula is included in the list of 200 World Heritage Sites that was created by the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF). All of this biodiversity exists to a great degree thanks to the richness and variety of ichthyofauna in the rivers and coastal waters of the peninsula. The variety of salmonid populations, forel, and trout of the peninsula is one of the most abundant on the planet. All 11 species of Pacific Ocean salmon (approximately one third of the Pacific population) spawn in Kamchatka's rivers.

     Historically the biodiversity of Kamchatka was dependably secure due to its remoteness, difficult relief, and later because of its strategic military status. However in the last 10 years the situation changed. Today the region has become "open" for visits and more accessible and is gathering more serious threats to the conservation of Kamchatka's biodiversity and actual existence of the special protected areas (SPAs). If the current situation continues – the protected areas being forced to struggle with growing threats like organized poaching, uncontrolled access, unmanaged use of special protected areas, and unregulated exploitation of natural resources, the result will significantly degrade the worldwide significance of these protected areas.

     Despite the economic difficulties and multiple conflicting priorities, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Kamchatka regional administration, and local scientists and non­governmental organizations demonstrate an unbending decisiveness in support of the SPAs. However, despite these efforts, the rift is expanding between limited possibilities and the actual necessities to make effective decisions to solve the more serious problems of conserving our biodiversity.

One of the most hopeful methods for solving the above mentioned problems are the activities of the Kamchatka Biodiversity Conservation Trust Fund.

     The long-term goal of the Trust Fund is sustainable conservation of Kamchatka's globally significant biodiversity not only by sponsoring activities designed to support conservation, but also through establishing a sustainable fund for financing future priority conservation efforts.

      Since 1991, trust funds for biodiversity conservation have been created in over 40 countries and have accumulated nearly 1 billion dollars for long term financing of special protected areas and other forms of biodiversity conservation. Activities of the trust funds are directed to:

 - Provide more predictable and guaranteed financing for the management of protected areas;

-  Distribute donors' grants over a long period of time;

-  Distribute grants from major international donors to smaller grants for local organizations and local government for completion of projects for conservation of biodiversity, and for support of sustainable existence.

     The Kamchatka Biodiversity Conservation Trust Fund was registered in April 2005. The goal of the fund is to encourage financial development and to provide technical support for governmental and non­governmental organizations and society, including research, which focus on conservation of Kamchatka's biodiversity, wilderness protection, and for preservation and rational use of natural resources. Achievement of the fund's goals will create methods to provide targeted funds for particular purposes and projects. This will be available to Russian and foreign governmental organizations; and non­governmental and charitable organizations for the realization of special projects. This provides direct financial support toward conservation of Kamchatka's biodiversity, thus increasing the possibilities for the interested organizations to accomplish their goals directed toward conservation. Further detailed information about the activities of the Fund can be found at the site www.fund.unkam.ru. Your donation brings lasting and tangible results toward the preservation of Kamchatka's globally significant and unique biodiversity.