Seeds of change: BirdLife’s achievements show nature can lead the way
As COP29 leaves many of us questioning the world's pace toward a sustainable future, we offer a different narrative: one of hope, action, and tangible success. Across the globe, our Partnership is delivering impactful conservation efforts that protect birds, restore ecosystems, and empower communities, proving that solutions to the biodiversity and climate crises are within reach.
By Charlie Malcolm-McKay
The dust is settling on COP29, and while the global community grapples with the mixed outcomes, the BirdLife Partnership is here to remind us of what’s possible. While high-level negotiations often leave a gap between rhetoric and reality, we continue to bridge that gap through on-the-ground action. From securing vital habitats to restoring degraded ecosystems and strengthening community resilience, our global initiatives provide a beacon of hope in these uncertain times. Here, we spotlight some of the positive stories and transformational impacts across our Partnership—an antidote to climate frustration, and a reminder that nature holds the solutions we need, if we are willing to act boldly.
ACBK wins Earthshot Prize for restoring steppe wonders
In a triumph for nature conservation, the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK), a proud BirdLife Partner, was awarded the prestigious Earthshot Prize in the “Protect and Restore Nature” category. This recognition is a testament to ACBK’s extraordinary work in restoring and safeguarding the Altyn Dala or the ‘Golden Steppe’, protecting 5 million hectares for nature—an area larger than Denmark!
The Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative, founded in 2006, has achieved remarkable successes, including saving the once Critically Endangered Saiga Antelope (Saiga tatarica) from extinction. From numbers as low as 20,000 the Saiga Antelope population has surged to a record-breaking 2.8 million, marking one of the most dramatic mammal recoveries ever documented. The initiative is also working on the recovery of the Endangered Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) population and enhancing knowledge of the necessary measures to protect the region’s valuable wetlands. These wetlands are crucial for millions of migratory birds that rely on them year-round as part of the vast Central Asian Flyway. Additionally, the project has built strong connections with local communities, celebrating the rich biodiversity of the region through educational programs and school initiatives.
Led by ACBK, the Altyn Dala Initiative is supported by international partners such as Fauna & Flora (F&F), Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS), and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), in collaboration with the Committee of Forestry and Wildlife of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. This collaborative effort is a powerful example of how targeted, community-driven conservation can restore critical habitats and help wildlife thrive. Learn more here.
Okinawa Woodpecker recovers from the brink of extinction
The Okinawa Woodpecker (Dendrocopos noguchii), a species endemic to Okinawa Island, Japan, faced near extinction due to extensive forest loss and degradation. By the early 1990s, its population likely numbered fewer than 50 breeding pairs.
In 2007, parts of the Yanbaru region were granted informal protection, which was further strengthened in 2016 with the establishment of Yanbaru National Park. These conservation efforts, along with initiatives such as mongoose eradication, have gradually fostered the species’ recovery. Although the process has been slow, it offers hope. The most recent IUCN Red List assessment (October 2024) estimates the population at a stable 100–300 breeding adults. As a result, the species’ status has improved from Critically Endangered to Endangered. While this signifies a moderate reduction in extinction risk, the threat remains high.
Against the backdrop of global biodiversity loss, this success story serves as a powerful reminder: when conservation is well-researched, effectively implemented, and sufficiently funded, it can turn the tide against extinction. Without these efforts, the Okinawa Woodpecker might not have survived.
Transforming West Africa’s forests for people and nature
We are proud to be at the forefront of transformative efforts to protect and restore one of the planet’s most important biodiversity hotspots. By connecting research, conservation, and community action, we are working to create a sustainable future for both nature and people in West Africa.
We are supporting the new West Africa Nature Transformation Initiative (WANTi)! This ambitious initiative brings together research and conservation to foster innovative approaches to protect the globally significant Guinean Forests of West Africa while addressing the socio-economic needs of 300 million people who rely on the forests. WANTi partners include the University of Cambridge, RSPB, IUCN, and Fauna & Flora, alongside a wide range of regional stakeholders such as national universities and BirdLife Partners.
Last month, we hosted a WANTi regional workshop with our Partner, the Ghana Wildlife Society, which identified key priorities including collaborative research, establishing a unified regional voice for the Guinean Forests, and advancing actions to support sustainable agriculture. The Guinean Forests, a critical biodiversity hotspot, provide essential ecosystem services such as fresh water, climate regulation, wood fuel, and medicine—making their protection vital for both people and planet.
Championing Biodiversity in Egypt
We celebrate the remarkable achievements of our Partner, Nature Conservation Egypt (NCE), whose CEO, Khaled Mohamed Noby, has been honoured as one of the 50 Impact Makers in a global campaign led by Ms. Nigar Arpadarai, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29. This recognition underscores the exceptional contributions of NCE in advancing biodiversity conservation in Egypt.
Through innovative approaches, NCE has been leading efforts to integrate biodiversity protection into the renewable energy sector, setting a powerful example of how environmental sustainability can align with development goals. This prestigious acknowledgement highlights not only Khaled Noby’s visionary leadership but also NCE’s dedication to creating a future where both nature and progress thrive together.
My key advice to leaders and organisations committed to nature conservation in a fast changing world is this: never underestimate the power of small, consistent efforts. No matter how daunting the challenge, keep planting seeds of hope every day, even if the impact isn’t immediately visible. Focus on the actions you can take now and let the results come with time. One day, you’ll look back and find that each seed has grown into a strong tree, forming a lasting forest of impact.
Dr Khaled Mohamed Noby, CEO, Nature conservation egypt
Building a Better Future: Dr Lesley Dickie Joins BirdLife
Lastly, at BirdLife International we’re very excited to welcome Dr Lesley Dickie as our new Executive Vice President for Conservation and the Regions. Lesley brings a wealth of conservation leadership experience to the BirdLife flock, most recently at the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust where she was appointed CEO in 2016. Her strengths in operational and diverse stakeholder management, global conservation, fundraising and external engagement will enrich us all.
Among her initiatives, she set up a carbon and biodiversity offset programme in Brazil, Rewild Carbon, in collaboration with the local NGO Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas, situated in the Mata Atlântica Forest (a global biodiversity hotspot). More recently, she pioneered a rewilding project involving 18,500 acres (Dalnacardoch) of the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. This project will build a brand-new native forest on land that has been denuded for hundreds of years while also repairing the peatlands, which are both vital for carbon capture.
And perhaps closest to our hearts was her role in the emergency rescue of three rare species of Mauritian reptiles in collaboration with our BirdLife Partner, Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. This involved a mid-Covid airlift in a private jet supplied by founder patrons of BirdLife’s Rare Bird Club, the Boulle family, to get the Lesser Night Geckos, Bojer’s Skinks, and Bouton’s Skinks to safety at the Jersey Zoo and away from the massive Wakashio tanker oil spill.
As we look to the horizon, the stories shared here remind us that hope is not just an abstract concept—it’s alive in every restored landscape, every thriving bird species, and every empowered community. The path ahead will demand courage and collaboration, but nature has shown us time and again that recovery is possible if we give it the chance. The BirdLife Partnership is steadfast in its resolve to champion bold action, harness the power of nature, and turn ambition into reality. Together, we will continue to fight for a world where people and wildlife thrive side by side—a future as vibrant and resilient as the birds we strive to protect.