The Minsk Family Club and representatives of the GCB actively joined the open communications platform "Native Nature Week", which was held by the organisations of the Science and Practical Center for Bioresources of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus from May 18 to 22, 2026. In addition to the exhibition organised at the Academy of Sciences, during this week there was an opportunity to visit the laboratories of the SPC for Bioresources and the Institute of Experimental Botany, listen lectures on the Red Book, Red Book insects and salmonids in the reservoirs of Belarus, as well as to get acquainted with the collections of lilacs and rhododendrons in the Central Botanical Garden. Representatives of the Minsk Family Club and employees of the Green Cross Belarus took advantage of this opportunity.

On May 21 and 22, young and adult club members visited the laboratories of ornithology, theriology, and terrestrial invertebrates, learned when scientific bird banding began, why it was carried out, and what to do if one saw a ringed bird; solved riddles with mammalian footprints and learned the rules of behavior when encountering a bear and wild boar; saw large southern butterflies and tried to examine one of the species of Heteroptera with a microscope.

During the lectures, researchers talked about the causes of species extinction and the role of humans in this process, the importance of the Red Book and the importance of including endangered native species in it, the work of scientists on the study and conservation of Red Book insect species, as well as salmon species in the natural aquatic ecosystems of Belarus, their distribution, conservation status and the main threat factors, research carried out by scientists and measures to preserve them.

Those club members who went to the Central Botanical Garden these days were able to enjoy the beauty and colors of lilacs and rhododendrons, as well as learn about the history of the formation of collections, the phenotypic features of species and varieties, breeding work and outstanding breeders, as well as about individual varieties of these beautifully flowering shrubs. By the way, 4 varieties of Belarusian lilac are included in the International Register of Lilac Varieties.

The Native Nature Week, timed to coincide with the International Day of Biological Diversity, which is celebrated on May 22, is a wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with the work of scientists and feel the responsibility of human to nature. The Minsk Family Club will definitely continue to study its native nature, and maybe this will be the first step into science for some of the younger members of the club.