 Marianne Carter/Conservation Leadership Programme
BirdLife's Kiragu Mwangi teaching 2007 CLP award-winners about radio telemetry.
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Calling future conservationists...
24-09-2007
The next generation of conservationists are being sought as part of a global awards scheme giving young people an opportunity to get involved in the conservation of some of world's most threatened species - many of them in BirdLife Partner countries and territories.
The Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP, formerly the BP Conservation Programme) are asking for applications for their Future Conservationist Awards 2008, seeking project ideas from teams of young people with an aim to develop their skills through a practical conservation project.
Award-winning teams will be eligible to receive up to $12,500 worth of funding, with priority given to the highest quality applications.
As part of the award scheme, one member from each team will also be selected to represent their project at an international training course, learning a variety of skills covering aspects of conservation education, communication, people-oriented research, project planning and management skills.
"...these awards can be a crucial stepping-stone." —Marianne Carter, CLP Executive Manager
"It's a completely unique opportunity," said Marianne Carter, CLP Executive Manager. "The training will assist them in carrying out their projects, and allow them the opportunity to meet and share ideas with like-minded individuals and a wide range of world-class global conservation experts."
Winning teams will also be able to access expertise from each of the five partner organisations which make up the Conservation Leadership Programme - BirdLife International, Fauna & Flora International, The Wildlife Conservation Society, Conservation International and BP.
"These young, talented individuals hold the potential to become environmental leaders of the future - these awards can be a crucial stepping stone," added Carter.
Last month saw this year's Future Conservationists announced and bird-related award-winning projects included: flamingo conservation in the Bolivian Altiplano; threat status assessments for birds in Sichuan (China); monitoring of Critically Endangered vultures in India; and improving habitat conditions for Yellow-shouldered Parrot on Margarita Island, Venezuela.
To be eligible for a 2008 Future Conservationist Award, projects must be conceived and developed by the team members themselves, and must take place in one of the following countries (many of them BirdLife Partners): Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Egypt, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Russia, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey or Venezuela. The deadline for applications is 23rd November.
For further details, including how to apply: www.ConservationLeadershipProgramme.org
Over its 17-year history, the Conservation Leadership Programme has supported nearly 3,000 individuals, many of whom have continued working in the fields of conservation and development. In an overwhelming number of cases, projects initiated by these individuals continue and grow from the Programme's initial support.
For further details on BirdLife's work alongside other organisations within the Conservation Leadership Programme: click here
