2024 CLP Team Awards: Supporting the next generation of global conservationists
At the end of July, the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) announced the winners of its 2024 Team Awards. The 13 award-winning teams of early career conservationists are all working to protect some of the world’s most threatened species and habitats.
The teams have been granted vital funding and will also be provided with invaluable training and skills development to strengthen their projects.
The award-winning projects are based in 11 different countries across the world, from Chile to Tanzania to Indonesia. They are locally-led initiatives focused on protecting a broad range of globally threatened species, including Wolffsohn’s Viscacha, a rare relative of the chinchilla found in a small region of Argentina and Chile; Malabar Grey Hornbills in India; culturally important black corals or “Akar Bahar” in Indonesia; and Pygmy Chameleons native to forests in Madagascar.
Olivia Couchman, Executive Manager of the Conservation Leadership Programme (Fauna & Flora), comments: “From protecting a puddle frog in Ghana to conserving sun bears in Bangladesh, these emerging conservationists already have invaluable local knowledge and dedication, and with CLP support, we are confident they will make great strides towards protecting some of the world’s most threatened species and habitats.”
“CLP has an excellent record of kickstarting conservation careers and bolstering long-term conservation efforts, such as the establishment of local non-governmental organisations and the creation of conservation policy and action plans. I’m excited to see what this new generation of conservation leaders will achieve.”
The 2024 Team Awards is funded by the Hempel Foundation, the March Conservation Fund, and Arcadia – a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin – and will provide grants worth up to a total of US $213K, alongside training and support to the 59 conservationists leading the projects.
Through its annual Team Awards scheme, CLP empowers talented people early in their careers working on the ground in low- and middle-income countries rich in biodiversity but limited in capacity and resources. CLP equips early-career conservationists with essential leadership skills, support and resources to multiply their impact across the conservation sector and address urgent and complex local conservation challenges while contributing globally to sustainable biodiversity conservation. CLP has now opened its call for applications to its 2025 Team Awards for early-career conservationists looking for funding and support. The deadline to apply is 18th of October 2024 so don’t miss your chance!
Want to get some inspiration? Find out more about the 2024 CLP Team Awards below!
Follow-Up Awards
This year, CLP granted two Follow-Up Awards, worth up to 25,000 USD for projects lasting up to two years, providing continuing support for CLP alumni to scale up their projects.
Saving the Critically Endangered Intermediate Puddle Frog in Ghana
Building on a previous CLP project and the rediscovery of this rare frog in the Ankasa Conservation Area in Ghana, Francis and his team will combine scientific research with community involvement to protect the last population of this species and its only home.
“We are still overwhelmed as a team as we continue to ponder on what this award means for the future of our conservation careers. The news received applause and hugs.” – Francis Osei-Gyan, Team Leader
Improving biodiversity conservation and management of Marine Protected Areas in Uruguay
In three coastal marine protected areas in Uruguay, the team will scale up a previous CLP project to fill knowledge gaps on marine biodiversity, identify biodiversity indicators, and leverage citizen science to establish new management plans and local community engagement.
“Es un premio muy interesante que nos inspira a continuar conociendo y comprendiendo nuestra mar.” (It is a very interesting award that inspires us to continue knowing and understanding our sea) – Angel Segura, Team Leader
Future Conservationist Awards (FCAs)
This year, CLP granted 11 entry-level Future Conservationist Awards (three in Africa, five in Asia & the Pacific and three in Latin America), worth up to 15,000 USD, for projects lasting between 3 to 12 months.
FCAs Latin America:
Using lowland tapirs to preserve biocultural diversity in an Indigenous Territory in Colombia
This project will preserve the biocultural diversity in the indigenous community of Musuiuiai, which has declared its lands as a Territory of Life–ICCA, by using the Lowland Tapir as a “Landscape Species” and engaging neighbouring communities to protect the tapir and its habitat.
“I was in the office, checking my email and found this amazing news. I really thought how this award will be a great opportunity for the people I have been working with since 2021, the Musuiuiai Indigenous Territory. They really deserve to be recognised for their leadership in the conservation of biological and cultural diversity, and the entire Amazon region needs to know about them.” – Bayron Calle-Rendon, applicant (the team leader is Indigenous leader, Jose Jarol Muchavisoy)
Chile Guigna
The Guigna, the smallest wildcat in the Americas, is retreating to human-dominated landscapes due to the loss of its forest home and is now facing retaliatory killings due to its predation on domestic poultry. This project will engage with local communities to seek a solution to guigna-poultry conflict and test a new auditory device that could help to reduce human-carnivore conflict in general.
“When I found out about my CLP award, I was over the moon! I felt so much joy, pride and enthusiasm to carry out this project. It’s a project I’ve been working on for a while and it feels amazing to be able to have this funding, so I’m very grateful to CLP.” – Carolina Susana Ugarte Caraball, Team Leader
Argentina Wolffsohn’s Viscacha
As almost nothing is currently known about this rare rodent’s biology, ecology, and the threats it faces, this project will fill these knowledge gaps and engage with local communities to enhance conservation efforts.
“I felt really great when I found out about our CLP award! This is a great opportunity for the project, I thought about the team and all the progress we will be able to make in the field thanks to the award.” – Lucas Aristides Hormachea, Team leader
FCAs Africa:
Integrating research and community protection for the Chamaeleonidae of southwest Madagascar
In the remote dry landscapes of south-western Madagascar, this project will combine scientific data with community insights to save imperilled chameleons and strengthen the bond between the local people and their land.
“With our CLP award, we will combine scientific data with community insights to turn a story of decline into one of resilience and revival.” – Hajaniaina Rasoloarison, Team Leader
Sokoke Scops-Owl and Usambara Eagle-Owl conservation in the Eastern Arc Mountains, Tanzania
In the forests of the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania, this project will empower local communities to help conserve these two majestic owls and prevent their ongoing decline.
“When we received the news of winning the award for our owl research project, our hearts swelled with joy, gratitude, and a renewed sense of purpose. The excitement and motivation to dive into our project were palpable, and we are eager to make meaningful strides in understanding and conserving these magnificent creatures.” – Ezra Mremi, Team Leader
Befriending the three Critically Endangered pygmy chameleons in Morogoro, Tanzania
To protect these tiny reptiles’ dwindling forest home, this project will restore degraded habitats, educate and engage local people, and uncover new information to aid future conservation efforts.
“When I found out about the CLP award, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy and gratitude. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of my team and the importance of conserving the three Critically Endangered Pygmy Chameleons in the Morogoro region. It is incredibly motivating to know that our efforts are being supported and that we have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the conservation of these remarkable species. This award not only validates our past efforts but also inspires us to continue our mission with renewed vigour and determination.” – Eva Johnson Ayaro, Team Leader
FCAs Asia & the Pacific:
Reviving Sri Lanka’s Ornate Paradisefish
After this beautiful fish’s decline due to habitat loss and the ornamental fish trade, the team is stepping in to restore habitats, establish a community task force, and develop long-term management plans.
“When I found out about my CLP award, I was absolutely thrilled and deeply honoured. This recognition is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in our projects. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our efforts acknowledged in such a significant way. This award motivates me even more to continue conservation work for the better future of mother nature.” – Tharushi Pitigala, Team Leader
Conservation of the Vulnerable Malabar Grey Hornbill in the southern Western Ghats, India
With habitat loss and fragmentation threatening these cavity-nesting birds, the team plans to revive the population by identifying and protecting nesting trees through ‘no-logging zones’ set up in collaboration with local communities, landowners and local authorities.
“Witnessing the transformative power of CLP on my colleagues ignited a passion within me to contribute to this impactful program. I’m thrilled at the opportunity to lead a CLP project, and confident it will equip my team with the necessary skills to flourish as future conservation leaders.” – Ahirbudhnyan M
Conserving the Critically Endangered Satara Gecko with local stakeholders in Western Ghats, India
After this rare reptile’s discovery in 2008, key information about the species and its unique ‘rocky outcrop’ habitat will be revealed by this project, along with community engagement, to aid future conservation efforts.
“I was ‘happy’ shocked on receiving the email. I actually re-read it twice and immediately called my team members, advisors and collaborators. They were so happy on hearing our grant acceptance.” – Vaishnavi Apte, Team Leader
Building knowledge and increasing capacity for community-based bear conservation in Bangladesh
This project is the first of its kind in Bangladesh, which will build a foundation for indigenous-led efforts to conserve Asiatic Black Bears and Sun Bears – two species that have so far received very little conservation attention in the country.
“With this award, we will be able to develop effective conservation strategies to promote human-bear co-existence in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh.” – Sourav Chakma, Team Leader
Indonesia black corals
As black corals “Akar Bahar” are used as cultural talismans and souvenirs in Indonesia, this project will raise awareness among local communities about their ecological importance and promote their sustainable use, while generating baseline data for conservation efforts.
“The reef in Karimunjawa Islands in Indonesia is ecologically and economically important and we are so happy that our CLP Award will help us protect it. This “Akar Bahar” is not only cool to look at but it also has a strong value in our culture.” – Nenik Kholilah, Team Leader
