On February 15, 2024 an excursion to the youth laboratory for monitoring the carbon balance of terrestrial ecosystems took place. The laboratory studies, in particular, the dynamics of decomposition of plant residues in swamp and forest ecosystems subject to various influences of external factors, under the auspices of the “RITM Carbon” consortium. The consortium is working on the creation of the “Russian Climate Monitoring System” (the Key Innovative Project Of National Importance (KIP NI)). During the excursion, students of the Faculty of Geography of Tomsk State University became familiar with the methods of carbon balance research and the features of field work, and also asked questions to young specialists about the prospects of this scientific area and academic career opportunities.