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RNP was originally set up to translate and publish Russian popular natural history literature - hence the name 'Russian Nature Press'. The aim was to interest and inform naturalists and conservationists in what was happening in the CIS countries. This aim was later expanded to include assistance to Russian and other CIS ecologists and conservationists by encouraging scientific cooperation between the CIS and other countries.
      RNP is a non-profit company limited by guarantee. Its directors are Dr David Boddington and Dr Geoffrey Harper. The members of the company are the directors and Susan Bell, Marianne Boddington, Penelope Kemp, Jaleel Miyan, David Prynn and Michael Wilson.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
The directors of Russian Nature Press Ltd resolved on 1st September 2011 to wind up the company. This is mainly due to low turnover. Accordingly the company ceased trading from that date, preparatory to winding up.
      Henceforth RNP books will be sold on the same terms as before by Geoffrey Harper in a personal capacity as sole creditor of the former company. Corporate customers will be informed individually, and private customers should use the new order form .

RNP's publications are mainly books translated from Russian about the wildlife and natural history of Russia and the other CIS countries (CIS = all former Soviet Union except the three Baltic States - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania). Follow the links from this page, or download the order form. Vadim Ryabitsev's ONE SEASON IN THE TAIGA was RNP's first translation. It is a charming description of Professor Ryabitsev's expedition one summer to study warblers in the Ural Mountains. Illustrated with his own drawings. See One Season. See also his Birds of the Urals below. Geoffrey Harper's DEMOCRACY OR SURVIVAL will henceforth be sold through this website. A slightly revised edition is in preparation, but meanwhile the first edition, published in November 2010, is still available. See Democracy or Survival.

One Season in the Taiga

Vladimir & Yuri Smirins' ANIMALS IN NATURE describes the mammals studied on expeditions to various parts of the former Soviet Union, from deserts in Central Asia to the Arctic. Illustrated with Vladimir's drawings and Yuri's chapter-head designs. Both authors are well-known as scientists and accomplished artists. See AiN Tours RNP also aims to encourage visits to CIS countries. A page is devoted to tours offered by non-CIS companies, and also services available from some Russian and other CIS organisations. Protected areas included in the Directory is a list of zapovedniks (strict nature reserves for scientific research) - the jewel in the crown of Russian nature conservation. There is also a list of national parks. Literature on CIS natural history, ecology & conservation: This lists books in non-CIS languages (mostly English). See Literature

Animals in Nature

Felix Shtilmarks' HISTORY OF THE RUSSIAN ZAPOVEDNIKS describes the development of the remarkable system of scientific nature reserves, which was begun in the late 19th century and developed during Soviet times. See HRZ 'Biosphere Consciousness, Imperialism & the Zapovedniks' This is an English version of an article published in Russian in 2000 in the magazine Sibirskiy ekologicheskiy vestnik, no.13-14, pp.42-49. See 'BCIZ'

History of the Russian Zapovedniks

David Prynns' AMUR TIGER is a general introduction to the history, biology and conservation of this exciting animal. Interspersed with the main chapters are translations of stories featuring the tiger from the Russian literature. See Amur Tiger

Amur Tiger