Regarded as the most prestigious award in the field of Environmental Conservation and often described as the Green Oscar, the Whitley Awards, granted by the Whitley Fund for Nature (United Kingdom), has announced the 2020 winners in April 29^th.

Two Brazilian won the prize in different categories: Patricia Medici (with the Gold Award, the top award), and Gabriela Cabral Rezende (with the Whitley Award, granted to other five conservationists from around the world). Both Brazilian winners are researchers from IPE and have dedicated their lives to the conservation of the lowland tapir and the black lion tamarin, respectively. These two species are threatened by human activities.

The prize is awarded annually, and the ceremonies take place in London, when each winner receive the prize from the hand of Her Royal Highness Princess Anne. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemics, the ceremony was postponed, but the winners will still receive their prizes, which consist of worldwide recognition of their conservation efforts and a sum of money that will be used in their projects.

“This award is extremely important, particularly considering the moment that we are passing through. More than never, we need to highlight the importance of keep the balance of our ecosystems. The current pandemic crisis is intrinsically connected with the destruction of our ecosystems and with the way that we treat nature. Never in history we have seen the current impacts caused by human beings in nature. Acting now is extremely important to revert the impacts of climate emergencies and prevent future wildlife extinctions. Conservationists like me must help set the tone and agenda for environmental conservation strategies in the decade ahead”, says Patrícia Medici.

Know the history of the researcher and how will IPE use the resources of the Whitley Gold Award

“Inspiration from pioneering researchers is the energy that moves me toward my dreams. As a conservationist, my dream is to save species from extinction. Making a difference for a species and its habitat is the way that I found for leaving a better planet for future generations and inspire them to get involved with conservation,     be it professionally or in their daily actions. With the award, I hope to stimulate other women scientists to act for environmental conservation”, says Gabriela. 

Know how the Whitley Award will help the Black Lion Tamarin Conservation Program

Text From WFN

For many people, a love of nature and a passion for its conservation has been inspired by visiting a wild place. However, those of us with the capacity to travel, at an individual or corporate level, are under increasing pressure to consider our carbon footprint.

In the past few years the concept of ‘carbon-offsetting’ has evolved, and there are now a broad spectrum of ways to counteract the environmental impact of the decisions we make.

Following encouragement from our partners and donors, we have developed an tree planting scheme with Brazilian NGO, IPÊ (the Institute of Ecological Research), the organizational backbone of 3 Whitley Award winners.

Whilst this is an informal scheme, it offers an opportunity to directly funnel your donations into a Whitley Award winning reforestation project which is growing a carbon store and building local livelihood capacity.

We will be working specifically with Laury Cullen, Research Coordinator for IPÊ, who is championing a reforestation initiative in the Brazilian Atlantic forest.

Supported by his 2002 Whitley Award, Laury project-managed Brazil’s largest reforested corridor (1,800 ha), connecting two protected primary forest habitats, bringing the black lion tamarin back from the brink of extinction. This most charismatic little monkey has suffered greatly from habitat fragmentation, leading to in-breeding and genetic weakening of the species. Laury is now scaling up his approach, developing more forest corridors, connecting vital Atlantic forest fragments for the black lion tamarin and other threatened animals including jaguars and tapirs.

Laury works with local landowners who grow and sell seedlings, while trained local forestry teams plant and manage the reforested areas. His project is creating significant livelihood opportunities among landowners and in local communities.

By supporting tree planting with WFN and IPÊ you are supporting proven grassroots conservation; driving resilience and bringing about positive change for people and wildlife.

INTERESTED?

• Drop us an email at [email protected] with the flight miles for your trip.

• We’ll calculate the number of trees required using this calculator platform, and let you know the cost.

• If you decide to go ahead, we’ll send you a donation link.

• On receipt of the donation we’ll write to you personally, detailing the number of trees you’ve planted with some more information about the project you’ve supported.

WFN RETAIN 15% OF ALL DONATIONS TO SUPPORT THE CHARITY’S NON-GRANT EXPENDITURE.

Gabriela Cabral Rezende, coordinator of the Black Lion Tamarin Conservation Program, from IPÊ (Institute for Ecological Research), is part of a shortlist of top conservationists that compete for the Whitley Awards 2020, considered the Green Oscar.

Each year, the Whitley Awards recognize the work of six conservationists with projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. For this year, 112 researchers competed. The list of six winners will come out in April.

Gabriela competes for conservation work with the black lion tamarin, the animal that is the symbol of São Paulo State. For nine years, she has continued the project that began 35 years ago, in Pontal do Paranapanema, with primatologist Claudio Padua, which is the first Brazilian to win the Whitley Award in 1999. The project grew, using tamarin protection strategies that have already produced results, such as the reforested corridor that connects the Protected Areas of the region, guaranteeing more area available for the circulation of the species. In addition, black lion tamarin conservation is supported by environmental education and sustainable income generation actions. As examples, agroecology and community nurseries both help to strengthen the population's relationship with the local fauna.

Currently, the researcher is engaged in studies for the management of the species and developing innovative experiments that can contribute to the collection of more accurate data on tamarins, such as the installation of nest boxes in areas of young forests where there are no trees holes to be used by the tamarin yet. Under the leadership of Gabriela, the project also brought the first monitoring collars with GPS to be used on small animals in Brazil.

“Me and the entire IPÊ team are very happy with the nomination. This is an integrated work, where everyone's action is fundamental, not only for research itself, but for environmental education, landscape restoration, and community involvement. It is this integration and collaboration that makes conservation work happen. The scientific research on the black lion tamarin can gain even more if we win this award, so it means a lot to us to be in this shortlist”, she comments.

Distance to range edge determines sensitivity to deforestation

It is generally assumed that deforestation affects a species consistently across space, however populations near their geographic range edge may exist at their niche limits and therefore be more sensitive to disturbance. We found that both within and across Atlantic Forest bird species, populations are more sensitive to deforestation when near their range edge. In fact, the negative effects of deforestation on bird occurrences switched to positive in the range core (>829 km), in line with Ellenberg’s rule. We show that the proportion of populations at their range core and edge varies across Brazil, suggesting deforestation effects on communities, and hence the most appropriate conservation action, also vary geographically.

Article with the participation of Alexandre Uezu, IPÊ researcher.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-019-0889-z

 In honor of Don Melnick

Rare are the occasions, unfortunately, that we can say we have lost a human jewel when someone leaves. This is the sentiment we have with the passing of Don Melnick. Don was a friend of IPÊ since he met us in 1993, through his wife, Mary Pearl, a conservationist, partner and friend, today an institutional board member.

Professor at Columbia University, a renowned researcher in genetics and evolution, Don spent his life spreading knowledge linked to conservation and sustainability, bringing people together and opening doors so those good things could happen across the planet. He contributed significantly to IPÊ’s history, annually bringing students from his distinguished University for courses and internships at our headquarters or field projects. He produced documents, published in diverse media, and gave lectures that shifted the track of history.

Confidence was one of his qualities, which in fact were countless. He detected the qualities of people or institutions and fertilized the soil with knowledge and interconnections so that promising projects could germinate and flourish. Integrity was another quality that marked his personal and professional life. In addition, he inspired audacity and innovation, always with discretion, not calling attention to himself, but to the causes he defended. A true leader – one to be followed.

Happy are those who had the luck of crossing his paths. IPÊ had more than that.  The institution was privileged to have walked close to him for so many years, making dreams become reality. We will miss you, Don Melnick. The planet too! May you find another spot where you can propagate good things as you did in your short stay here with us. Our warm and sincere hug with great tenderness and gratitude. Please be assured, wherever you may be, that Mary and your kids, Memy and Seth, will always be welcomed at IPÊ with immense love. 

Photos

1 - Claudio Padua and Don Melnick in the first class of the IPÊ Professional Master in Conservation and Sustainability

2 - Don Melnick (first / left) visit the first office of the IPÊ in Manaus (Amazon)