I was born and brought up in a pastoralist family in Northern Kenya where the primary occupation is livestock keeping. I grew up knowing that our life as a pastoralist is directly dependent on the environment as source of livelihoods, which is directly linked to our survival. Conservation of the environment was largely a communal responsibility in that respect and traditional conservation knowledge is generally passed from generations to others through stories from elders, folklore, and songs. This in a great way influenced my choice of course at Kenyatta University in favor of Environmental studies (community development). I graduated in 2012 and since then I have worked for an International NGO as an advocacy officer for natural resources management in Marsabit and Samburu Counties. The project worked with two rural communities on forest conservation in two major dryland forests which are under immense pressure from demand for land for agriculture, wood fuel, building and construction materials, among others. The Marsabit forest for example was over 18,000 Ha in 90s but has reduced to just about 11,000 Ha in 3 decades. I later joined another vibrant community led conservation initiative to facilitate communities to devise climate resilient local adaptation solutions to climate change. As a climate change officer, my role was to lead communities identify, develop a funding proposal and implement conservation based local adaptation solution.

 

The history of violation of rights of vulnerable populations in Peruvian forest ecosystems — be they indigenous populations, women, or illegally trafficked animals—  led me to study Forest Sciences. I always believed in the power of the voice of youth, and was electedPresident of the Latin American Forestry Students’ Association (ALECIF) and later Vice-President of the International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA). I participated in multiple international events with a large variety of landscape actors that made me realise that most problems regarding land-use change have socio-political origins, most of which arise from the unmet needs of marginalised groups, the clashing interests of different landscape actors, or the priorities of decision-makers. Thus, “technical” issues are, in reality, socio-political: forests are about people. For the last 6 years, I have worked as a scientist at the Center for International Forest Research (CIFOR), focusing on the politics of multilevel governance in forests, land and climate policy and practice, indigenous land rights, and participatory processes. However, even with the most robust scientific studies, if no bridges are established between researchers and policymakers, the possibility of achieving an impact is greatly hindered. What I seek to achieve through the Masters in Conservation Leadership is learning how to effectively bridge this gap. When I’m not working, you can probably find me windsurfing, playing hockey, waterskiing, swimming, singing, dancing or diving.

I was born in a small town on the Mongolian Plateau, where the wilderness enchanted me and finally led me to the field of conservation. In 2012, as a Bachelor’s student majoring in Wildlife & Nature Reserve Management, I began to conduct field investigations, scientific research and also conservation projects on the Tibetan Plateau, with particular interest in the breeding habitats of the Black-necked Cranes (Grus nigricollis), the Eurasian Otters (Lutra lutra) and the Chinese Mountain Cats (Felis bieti). In 2017, right after acquiring my master’s degree, I joined SHAN SHUI Conservation Center, an NGO in China promoting community-based conservation, and began my exciting career as a professional conservationist on the Tibetan Plateau. During this period of time, as the leader of the wetland projects of the Sanjiangyuan Region, I have been doing my utmost to keep the unique culture, pristine landscape and also unbelievable harmony between humans and nature from the impact of booming human activities and accelerating climate change. All these years, the wilderness brings me endless peace and joy, and now being a member of this amazing cohort of global conservationists will provide me with the best chance to return this favour.

 

My interests in biodiversity conservation topics were first aroused during my undergraduate degree at the University of Kinshasa where I studied Natural Resources Management. In 2011 I joined WWF-Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and I took over the position of GIS & Database Officer for the Protected Areas Programme. Part of my role was to update protected areas' geographical limits and train park rangers in data collection for law enforcement monitoring in protected areas. Working with rangers was an opportunity to visit beautiful places in the Congo Basin forest. Within these “protected forests”, I have not only seen wildlife and natural processes, but also came across local community and indigenous people, hunting and agricultural practices. Moreover, I had a chance to understand one of the root causes of the existing conflicts between local community and protected areas Management teams across the World. In 2015, I received a University Diploma in Protected Areas Management from the University Senghor of Alexandria, following an intensive training course offered jointly by WCS and IUCN. This experience helped me fine tune my vision for an effective Conservation approach, one that considers local communities as an active part of the solution. Over the last 9 years, I have been part of the design and implementation team for the WWF Conservation strategy in DRC. Most recently, I worked as an Indigenous People and Local Community Advisor, promoting local community’s development into Conservation agenda. Furthermore, I just completed the Humphrey Fellowship Programme at the University of California, Davis. Through this Masters in Conservation Leadership, I aim to gain advanced skills and network to scale up my contribution to protecting the Green Heart of Africa.

 

I grew up in a city but spending vacations at my grandparents’ in the southern Western Ghats of India helped me develop a deep connection to nature at an early age. Love for the animals led me to get involved in rehabilitation of displaced urban wildlife which had suffered from the unprecedented development of the city. Though I studied Fine Arts (Bangalore University) for my undergraduate degree, living in close proximity to wild animals, nursing and caring for injured wildlife influenced me to pursue my Masters degree in Ecology and Environment (Sikkim Manipal University) as I was keen to continue in the field of nature conservation. After a short corporate stint I forayed into ecological research work focused on birds, specializing in bird migration studies. Soon, realizing that involvement of local communities is integral to address conservation challenges I began involving myself in nature awareness programmes, where I wove art into education workshops which I conducted across India and developed innovative pedagogies that enabled learning and practice by children of different age groups. My long-term interests are to bring together art and ecology and to integrate research, outreach and conservation in order to create strong linkages between rural livelihoods and biodiversity conservation.

 

I am originally from Colombia, a megadiverse country that fostered my passion for the natural environment.  I moved to Canada to pursue my undergraduate degree in Natural Resources Conservation. After graduation, I co-wrote a peered reviewed poster on Brazilian Protected Areas, which I presented at the North American Conference for Conservation Biology (2018).

I worked as an environmental management intern for a plantation forestry company in South Africa. There I performed land-based analyses of riparian and conservation areas, including cataloguing wildlife with camera traps and helping with stream health assessments. Additionally, I advocated for alternative energy use through wind-turbine suitability analysis of plantations. I transitioned into background research for environmental site remediation of urban areas. However, I come into this program as a recent Project Manager in the sustainable building industry. This position allowed me to focus on urban conservation, from water and energy conservation to landscapes that reduce the heat island effects and promote pollinators and native plantings. The Project Manager position allowed me to balance client needs with environmental limitations while coordinating multiple teams. I hope this program allows me to develop more leadership skills to create positive change in the conservation world.

 

I am a 29 year old Guatemalan conservationist. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Aquaculture from the State University of San Carlos in Guatemala. When I was 24, I founded the organization Semillas del Océano (Seeds of the Ocean) with the mission to promote ocean conservation in the coastal rural communities of my country. With my team, I have led and implemented several conservation projects including the construction of classrooms with “eco-bricks”, the development of environmental education programs for coastal communities and the Youth Leadership Summit to tackle plastic pollution through community action campaigns led by young Guatemalans. Personally, I have participated in scientific research projects such as the evaluation of coral reef health and the status of the invasive species Lion Fish in the Guatemalan Caribbean; the status of the populations of sea cucumbers, and the abundance of reef fish also in the Caribbean. All of these projects resulted in reports or scientific papers to increase the accessibility to information about marine and coastal resources in the region. I enjoy being in the field, where I always try to promote leadership among locals, sowing in them the seeds of conservation to make them replicators of positive impacts and change. 

Growing up in rural Wales I experienced the joy and companionship that animals unknowingly provide, alongside the heart-breaking mistreatment pets and wildlife can needlessly suffer. This instilled a profound need to fight for their protection and welfare, my continual driving force. After graduating in Biological Sciences (Zoology) from the University of Birmingham I dedicated the following 4 years towards tackling global conservation issues abroad. In New Zealand I became an advanced open water diver to further study marine biology, training I utilised in Australia rehabilitating sea turtles on the Great Barrier Reef. My life is devoted to frontline conservation work and supporting animal welfare organisations both in a hands-on and administrative capacity, including as the secretary of a wildlife rescue charity in Brisbane and for the past 2 years as manager of a specialised wildlife rehabilitation unit near Cambridge. With the aid of an inspirational team of co-workers & volunteers, the unit’s success rate increased by 13% in my first year and furthermore received a DEFRA commendation. The diversity of knowledge held by tutors and peers will help me contextualise conservation issues so I can effectively prevent and resolve problems whilst inspiring change on a national, even global, level.

 

I am an Indonesian trained attorney focusing on regulatory compliance and financial crimes. Born and raised in Sumatra island- the home of endangered species such as the Sumatran tiger, rhinos, elephants – made me realize that a lawyer has an important role in advocating the issue of biodiversity protection. My experience working in various sectors such as the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission, WWF Indonesia, and a law firm has made me finally decide to pursue my career in international development and biodiversity conservation. Previously, I acquired a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree in International Business and Economic Law at Georgetown University before working at the World Bank’s independent units focusing on anti-corruption and stolen asset recovery. After specializing in international business law and discovering the exciting world of natural resources, I have developed an expertise in illegal wildlife trade. I have also looked at the links between environmental regulation and biodiversity protection, how legal instruments can be used to increase compliance, and how we can induce behavior change. The Masters in Conservation Leadership will be my avenue as an environmental lawyer to understand the relationships between business law, environmental compliance, and conservation protection, specifically on the role of financial institutions in combatting illegal wildlife trade.