On September 25, 2025, the Republic of Karelia Branch of the Russian Geographical Society turned 80. On this day in 1945, a meeting of the Presidium of the All-Union Geographical Society considered the application submitted by an initiative group and resolved to approve setting up a branch in Karelia.

Throughout its history, the RGS has closely collaborated with the Academy of Sciences, and between 1938 and 1992 it was officially part of the USSR AS. As Corr. Academician Nikolai Filatov, region’s branch ex-head of 28 years, writes in his article, a distinctive feature of the RGS is that it uses scientific approaches and principles for the benefit of the country, to advance geography and popularize geographical knowledge. The RGS Branch in Republic of Karelia has also consistently followed the traditions laid down by scientists in its activities. Since 1964, the Branch has been headed by Karelian academics:

- 1964–1995 – Galina Biske, Dr. Sci., geologist;
- 1995–2023 – Nikolai Filatov, RAS Corr. Fellow;
- since 2025 – Aleksey Tolstikov, Head of Geography and Hydrology Laboratory, Northern Water Problems Institute KarRC RAS.

Members of the Society have implemented hundreds of important and interesting projects: traveller clubs have been established, expeditions are conducted, from which researchers bring back new knowledge about the natural, historical and cultural heritage of not only the republic but also of many countries worldwide. The RGS provides patronage for publishing books, such as the "Atlas of Karelia", its latest edition released in 2021, and for continuous work with schoolchildren and youth. Scientists chair specific sections of the branch (Archaeological Section – Senior Researcher of ILLH KarRC RAS Nadezhda Lobanova; Section for Curly Birch Conservation – Senior Researcher Lidia Vetchinnikova of the Forest Research Institute KarRC RAS). Current tasks for the RGS include preservation of traditions while implementing new ideas in line with modern requirements and technological developments.

In 2020, the Republic of Karelia Branch of RGS, represented by its then chairman, Corr. Academician Nikolai Filatov, was honored with one of the Society’s supreme awards – Fyodor Litke gold medal. It is awarded for research on the impact of climate on the large lakes and seas of Northern Eurasia. RGS leaders acknowledged the contribution of Karelian geographers to scientific research, expeditions, and tourism development in the region.

All RGS members and friends in Karelia were congratulated on this anniversary by Chairman of the regional branch Aleksey Tolstikov

– At this stage it’s our honor to be implementing the goals of the Russian Geographical Society: to enrich the knowledge about our land and to disseminate it. I’m vastly grateful to all my colleagues thanks to whom our Branch works. Without you, our exciting common history wouldn’t have existed. I wish everyone interesting and necessary projects, new trails, discoveries, publications, and popular science lectures. Let us continue to cultivate the geography of Russia and the World through our joint efforts, – the Chairman said.

Previously, the 180th anniversary of the Russian Geographical Society was celebrated in Petrozavodsk. On that day, KarRC RAS Environmental Research Museum opened its doors to a series of geographical lectures, with the intention to turn it into a regular event.