I participated in cross-cultural and natural exchange program in Russia. I have never visited foreign countries. So, this program gives me exciting experiences. The main theme of this program is urban sustainability. I write what I noticed about urban sustainability in Russia.

 We went to Losiny Ostrov Natianal Park in Moscow. This park is located approximately 40 minutes by car from the center of Moscow. The total area of this park is 116㎢. Half of it is not open to the public and protected. A lot of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish inhabit the park. We were able to observe elk, deer and boar. These elks were protected from wandering in a road nearby this park. If park staffs don’t protect elks, they will get hit by a car. It was surprising that there was such a park near a large city. I compare this with Japan. Wild boars, monkeys, and bears are destroying farmland and attacking people in areas close to mountains in Japan. In this situation, Japanese often capture them and try to return to the nature as much as possible. Japanese may be aware that these wild animals are nuisance. However, we have to be aware that humans are taking away the land of wild animals. So, Moscow is a successful example of the coexistence of city and nature.

Losiny Ostrov Natianal Park's elk