Award winners
2010
The winners of the Future for Nature Award 2010 are Alberto Campos (Brazil), Jean Thomas (Australia/Papua New Guinee) and Els van Lavieren (The Netherlands/Morocco)
From left to right: Alberto Campos, Jean Thomas, Els van Lavieren.
Alberto Campos (2010)
Alberto Campos (Brazil) received the Future for Nature Award 2010 for his internationally outstanding manatee protection efforts. He has been working on conserving the threatened population in Brazil since 1994.
Alberto was co-founder of Aquasis, working on preserving biodiversity and using natural resources responsibly, with a focus on N-E Brazil. One of the most endangered species in the area is the Antillean manatee, of which fewer than 500 are left. The cause is a lack of suitable mangrove habitats for nursing. Deforestation of mangrove areas for shrimp farming and coastal development has been reducing the available habitats. To secure the habitat, Alberto has been working on the creation of the Manatee National Wildlife Refuge. In this project, he has involved the local fishing communities, ensuring their voices to be heard and helping to improve artisanal fisheries practices and develop ecotourism. His untiring dedication to the conservation of the manatee makes him an exemplary winner of the Future for Nature Award 2010.
Jean Thomas (2010)
Jean Thomas (Australia/Papua New Guinea) received the Future for Nature Award 2010 for her internationally outstanding Tenkile tree kangaroo protection efforts. She has been working on conserving the threatened Tenkile population in Papua New Guinea since 2003.
When Jean started working with the Tenkile Conservation Alliance in 2003, the population of Tenkile tree kangaroos was down to a hundred. This rare species lives only in Papua New Guinea. The main threat to the kangaroos is hunting, which became problematic with the growing human population. Jean has undertaken various community development initiatives to counter this problem including keeping rabbits and chickens domestically for protein, and installing water tanks. Furthermore, she teaches the local landowners about ecosystems and climate change, and features in a local radio programme. This work aims to establish a conservation area and it is estimated that the Tree Kangaroos have already increased to 300. Her innovative approach and steady commitment to the conservation of the kangaroo make her a commendable winner of the Future for Nature Award 2010.
Els van Lavieren (2010)
Els van Lavieren (The Netherlands/Morocco) received the Future for Nature Award 2010 for her internationally outstanding Barbary Macaque protection efforts. She has been working on conserving the threatened Barbary Macaque population in Morocco since 2004.
Els co-founded the Moroccan Primate Conservation Foundation and has worked on various aspects of Barbary macaque conservation. The main threats to the Barbary Macaque are habitat destruction and illegal trade. Els uses a multi level approach, targeting everything from ministries to local poachers and European consumers, to ensure the survival of the Barbary Macaque. By monitoring and providing training and education, she tackles the diverse causes of the imminent extinction. Her ingenious conservation approach, natural leadership and unwavering devotion to the protection of this primate, render her a laudable winner of the Future for Nature Award 2010.
