CLP Local communities monitor sea grass, at a project on dugong conservation in the Comoros and Madagascar Zoom In

Conservation Leadership Programme announces awards

21-05-2009

The Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) has announced the winners of the 2009 Team Conservation Awards. This year, the Programme granted 29 awards to research teams in 12 different countries with support totalling $500,000 (£327,000).

"The awards offered by the CLP provide a launching pad for young professionals who are just beginning a career in the field of environmental conservation", said Robyn Dalzen, CLP Executive Manager. "Through this programme, we are building the capabilities of future leaders and providing them with knowledge, skills and experience to address the most pressing conservation issues of our time."

The CLP supports the vital work of a new generation of rising conservation professionals who are leading a number of diverse, practical projects – from developing an education centre promoting the conservation of important bird areas in Brazil, to protecting freshwater turtles in China, community-based conservation of an endangered tree species in Egypt, and dugong conservation in the Comoros and Madagascar. The programme is a partnership between BirdLife International, Fauna & Flora International, BP, Conservation International and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

As part of this year's award, winning teams are invited to send a representative to Beijing, China to attend an introductory training course that will be held in conjunction with the Society for Conservation Biology's Annual Meeting. The training and conference will run from 27 June to 16 July.

CLP Achievements so far

• Over 300 teams of young conservationists supported since 1985
• 96% of these have gone on to have careers which influence biodiversity conservation, with many entering leadership roles
• Many local conservation NGOs have been established by CLP alumni
• More than 85% of projects continue beyond CLP funding
• More than 90% of projects meet all their project objectives, contributing valuable scientific knowledge & delivering conservation outcomes
• Over 100 new species have been discovered (& rediscovered) in the past 19 years, with lots of new records for countries
• Important habitats have been protected, with many sites being designated as international sites of conservation importance
• As a result of CLP projects many local communities are now engaging with the conservation of their neighbouring areas
  

CLP The Argentine team hopes to enhance the profile of the Andean cat among local communities Zoom In

"The awards offered by the CLP provide a launching pad for young professionals who are just beginning a career in the field of environmental conservation" —Robyn Dalzen, CLP Executive Manager

Project focus: Andean Cats and Puna Biodiversity, Argentina

The Andean Cat Leopardus jacobita is one of most endangered felids in the world and occurs almost exclusively in the Puna ecoregion of Argentina. Data collected since 1998 shows that Andean Cats have a fragmented distribution and are threatened by habitat loss, hunting and possibly competition with other carnivores. This year's Leadership Award winning project aims to use the Andean Cat as a flagship species for conservation of Puna biodiversity, focusing on the Greater Vilama Landscape, a remote and scarcely inhabited wilderness area in the north of Argentina.

To improve understanding of the ecological needs of Puna carnivores, the team will use innovative research and monitoring protocols. The team will also deliver outreach activities with local communities to influence attitudes about carnivores and train local 'wildlife monitors' to participate in the project and encourage the designation of a locally-managed protected area. Through these activities, the team hopes to enhance the profile of the Andean Cat among local communities and spread the message that wildlife conservation is compatible with development.

According to Mauro Lucherini, the project leader, "The challenges that we are facing to protect the earth's biodiversity are constantly changing. In 1998, when we started working on the Andean Cat we were mainly worried about direct human persecution, and now we recognize that we also have to worry about issues like climate change and the effects on the high-altitude ecosystem where this endangered carnivore lives."

To meet these challenges, training and capacity building is becoming increasingly important, and the high-level training that the CLP award winners receive is just as important as the grant itself. However, as Mauro points out, conservationists face numerous challenges in the field that require more than technical skills or training.

"When we started our work, we had no other option than to walk the whole day searching for signs of presence", said Mauro. "Now we can rely on camera traps to get a great deal of information on this elusive creature – but we still walk the whole day to set and check them! And we still have to do it in very challenging conditions, including a lack of oxygen, strong winds, and burning sun. These are challenges that can only be met through motivation and perseverance."

Mauro added, "I hope that our project will not only be successful at promoting the long-term conservation of the Andean Cat and its unique natural habitat but also at inspiring the next generation of conservation leaders."