Siysky Zakaznik, Federal nature reserve in Kholmogorsky District, Russia

Siysky Zakaznik is a federal protected area along the Northern Dvina River that covers forest and wetland habitats across a broad landscape. The reserve contains numerous lakes and swampland interspersed throughout its woodland terrain.

The reserve began as a regional protection area in 1963 and became a federal reserve in 1988 to safeguard the pine forests. This upgrade reflected growing recognition of the area's ecological value.

The Antonievo-Siysky Monastery, a listed historical monument, stands inside the zakaznik and is itself one of the protected objects named in its founding documents, alongside the connecting lake system and the pine forests. The reserve's stated aims cover species valuable in economic, scientific and cultural terms, and cleanup campaigns are held there every year.

The main highway crosses through the reserve from north to south, making it reachable for those traveling between major cities in the region. Visitors should prepare for wet terrain and forest conditions.

The reserve holds 52 lakes and 16 swamps, and its northern section borders the Northern Dvina, where Lake Ploskoye and Lake Punanets are the largest. The M8 highway from Moscow to Arkhangelsk crosses the whole area from north to south, and several villages lie within its limits.