Lapland Biosphere Reserve, Natural reserve in Murmansk Oblast, Russia

Lapland Biosphere Reserve is a protected area in Murmansk Oblast covering 278,435 hectares of northern taiga, mountain tundra, lakes, and rivers. The territory safeguards old-growth coniferous forests and a range of arctic ecosystems that stretch from central highlands to forested valleys.

The Leningrad regional government created the reserve on January 17, 1930, to protect wild reindeer from hunting and forest clearing. Over the decades, authorities expanded the boundaries several times to include more threatened habitats.

The reserve's 1995 project "Fairy Tale Lapland — Santa Claus's Possessions" placed a Santa Claus terem (wooden mansion) on the shore of Lake Chunozero. Winter ecotourist routes follow Christmas and New Year themes, while other seasonal excursions include a "Spring Awakening Tour". Visits are arranged for groups through permits obtained in advance.

As a strict nature reserve, the Lapland Reserve is largely closed to the public; scientists and environmental-education groups arrange visits with the management in advance. Several ecotourist routes open to the public change with the seasons, such as winter Christmas and New Year programmes and a "Spring Awakening" tour. Excursions run for groups and require permits obtained beforehand; the main office is in Monchegorsk.

Some pines in the reserve are over 600 years old and grew long before Russian settlement of the peninsula. Their twisted trunks carry lichens that serve as bioindicators of clean arctic air.