From August 22 to 24, 2025, Anna Neretina, PhD in Biology and Senior Researcher at the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, conducted classes on the taxonomy of invertebrates and algae for students from Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod and Minin State Pedagogical University of Nizhny Novgorod.
Anna Neretina shared her story about the classes—both theoretical and practical:
“Despite the unfavorable weather forecast, four participants made it to the biological station. It must be said that only true hydrobiology enthusiasts can make the long journey from Nizhny Novgorod and its environs to one of the most inaccessible lakes in the Moscow region!
Contrary to the forecast, the weather was magnificent all three days. After checking in, a safety briefing, and a short lecture, we set out to gather materials for the classes. However, during the gathering, it became clear that I was the only one who knew how to row. So, rowing training was quickly added to the program. It's an absolutely essential skill for any hydrobiologist! However, I wasn't much of an instructor. I distinctly remember my supervisor teaching me to row. They simply handed me two oars and said, "Row!" And somehow I managed. I also handed out oars to each participant on our expedition in turn. Each time, for the first five minutes, we'd spin around in the boat, like rotifers swirling in temporary slides under a microscope. The only difference, perhaps, is that rotifers don’t laugh so much!”
“Overall, during the 3.5 hours we spent on the lake, each participant learned how to operate a boat to some degree. We also successfully caught the necessary animals for the practical training. Among our catches were leeches, dragonfly larvae, spiders, water mites, various microscopic crustaceans, and algae. Furthermore, near the pier, one of the expedition participants discovered a mysterious blue-green ball, resembling an emerald. Of course, one would like to say that precious stones can be found in our Glubokoye lake, but no, upon closer inspection, the "ball" turned out to be a colony of blue-green algae.
When organizing classes for students at the biological station, I always share their admiration for the beauty of desmid algae, the agility of water fleas, and the dexterity of dragonfly larvae. Even circus performers would envy the acrobatic feats leeches perform while trying to escape researchers! A key feature of the biological station's activities is the opportunity to observe living animals and algae. This is much more interesting than examining dead material preserved in formalin. Furthermore, some anatomy details are only clearly visible in living specimens.
Only at Glubokoye lake can you simultaneously peer through a microscope and admire the stunning scenery. It's here that you can witness the most beautiful sunsets, and anyone can try their hand at cooking without the internet and make porridge or pasta for the first time!
Next year, we invite everyone to join us for a fun trip to the most beautiful lake in the Moscow region. Those lucky enough to own a Niva-type car are especially welcome!”