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The fifth day of the III International Summer School “Environmental Protection – 2026”, hosted by 91��ý Kazakh National University, focused on field-based learning and first-hand exploration of natural ecosystems. As part of the programme, participants visited the Almaty State Nature Reserve (Kazakhstan) to gain practical experience in environmental conservation and ecosystem studies.

The visit provided students and young researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences (XIEG CAS), participating in the activities of the Kazakhstan–China Joint Laboratory for Remote Sensing Technologies and Their Applications, together with Kazakhstani students and young scientists, with an opportunity to study the region’s ecosystems within their natural habitats and to strengthen scientific collaboration through practical field experience.

The day’s programme began with the gathering of participants at the Students’ Palace of 91��ý Kazakh National University. Upon arrival at the reserve, the delegation was welcomed by Zhanerke Zhanbolatovna Bigazinova, Head of the Department of Environmental Education at the Almaty State Nature Reserve. She provided an overview of the reserve’s history, its principal areas of activity, ongoing conservation initiatives, and the important role of specially protected natural areas in preserving ecosystems and biodiversity. Participants were also briefed on safety regulations and the itinerary of the field excursion. Special emphasis was placed on the importance of complying with safety requirements in protected natural areas as an essential measure for minimizing human impact on the environment and safeguarding natural ecosystems.

Participants from China and Kazakhstan visited the reserve’s museum, where they learned about its history, distinctive natural features, and rich biodiversity. They also watched a documentary highlighting the reserve’s unique ecosystems and its long-term conservation efforts.

The Almaty State Nature Reserve is one of Kazakhstan’s most significant specially protected natural areas. Established to conserve the unique ecosystems of the Trans-Ili Alatau, it provides protection for numerous rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. In addition to fulfilling its conservation mission, the reserve plays an important role in scientific research, environmental monitoring, and environmental education.

A key component of the programme was a guided walk along the reserve’s ecological trails. The excursion was led by reserve specialists Dinara Maratovna Dzhanabayeva and Balgyn Tilepaldykyzy Baimukhanova. During the tour, participants became acquainted with rare plant and animal species, the characteristics of mountain ecosystems, biodiversity conservation strategies, and contemporary approaches to environmental protection. The specialists also introduced the principles of sustainable natural resource management, environmental responsibility, and the scientific research conducted within the reserve.

Throughout the excursion, logistical support and guidance for the international participants were provided by doctoral students Arman Nurkanatuly Zhumazhanov and Elnur Elman oglu Arifzade, who had successfully completed their first year of doctoral studies, together with master’s graduate Anuar Serikov. The participants observed natural ecosystems in operation, gained practical insights into biodiversity conservation, and assessed the ecological condition of the reserve’s flora and fauna.

Particular attention was given to the contribution of specially protected natural areas to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Participants became acquainted with practical approaches to biodiversity conservation, the protection of rare and endangered species, and the reserve’s efforts to preserve natural ecosystems and natural heritage, thereby contributing to the achievement of SDG 15. Furthermore, the visit promoted international scientific collaboration by facilitating the exchange of knowledge and experience between young researchers from Kazakhstan and China, while strengthening partnerships in environmental protection and sustainable natural resource management in line with the objectives of SDG 17.

The fresh mountain air and breathtaking landscapes inspired participants and provided an excellent setting for experiential learning. The field visit offered not only a welcome change from the classroom environment but also an opportunity to reinforce theoretical knowledge through direct observation and hands-on experience in the natural environment. Later that afternoon, the group returned to Almaty, sharing impressions from the informative and enriching excursion.

The day concluded with a commemorative group photograph. The visit to the Almaty State Nature Reserve enhanced participants’ environmental awareness, deepened their understanding of the importance of conserving natural heritage, and further strengthened international scientific collaboration. Moreover, the event contributed to the achievement of SDG 15 by promoting biodiversity conservation and the protection of natural ecosystems, while advancing SDG 17 through strengthened international partnerships, scientific collaboration, and knowledge exchange between educational and research institutions in Kazakhstan and China.