The eastern part of Murmansk Province is one of the least populated parts of the whole of European Russia. Most settlements are remote fishing communities on the Terskij Coast, which means that the environment is relatively undisturbed - and to date, relatively unstudied. Initial surveys last year discovered both endangered and completely new species of flora. However, a road is being built around the Kolskij peninsular, resulting in extensive cutting of old growth forest, and with increased access to the area will inevitably come rapidly increasing threats to the environment.

This project seeks to carry out important survey work to establish distribution data and understand the conservation status of rare, threatened and endemic species. From this information the team will be able to draft action plans and conservation strategies. It is hoped that by attracting attention to the area both locally and internationally, conservation work can be implemented early enough to avert significant loss of biodiversity.