Interviews

CLP is proud to have supported some of the leading lights in conservation and it is always a great pleasure to find out how their careers are progressing.

Past award winners often credit CLP with catalysing their successful careers. Many of them are now working full time in the conservation sector within national and international NGOs, universities, research organisations and private companies as biodiversity consultants. Several CLP alumni are now directing country-wide, regional and global programmes of work.

In tune with his environment

Makala Jasper, August 2016

A skilled forester and passionate conservationist, Makala Jasper is the co-founder and current CEO of the Mpingo Conservation & Development Initiative, which is widely regarded as one of Tanzania’s most...Read interview with Makala Jasper

Follow your passion

Hazell Thompson, April 2016

Dr Hazell Thompson is a conservation biologist with a PhD in ornithology and more than 25 years’ experience in NGO capacity development, teaching and research in ecology, ornithology and conservation....Read interview with Hazell Thompson

From Lake Baikal with love

Denis Sandanov, December 2015

A deep affection for Lake Baikal inspired Russian botanist Denis Sandanov to work in conservation. Having tested the water, he took the plunge and was soon immersed in a CLP-funded...Read interview with Denis Sandanov

Convinced about bats

Bandana Aul, August 2015

Adventure, exploration and journeying to remote locations where no one has been before is part of what drives Bandana Aul. The other part is her respect and understanding for bats,...Read interview with Bandana Aul

Start as you mean to go on

Adam Gretton, May 2015

Adam Gretton took part in one of the first ever projects awarded by CLP in 1986. Nearly 30 years later he is still working in conservation. We spoke to him...Read interview with Adam Gretton

Snapping up Awards for Croc Conservation

Tess Gatan Balbas, August 2014

The Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) identifies potential leaders with a strong commitment to conservation and positions them to multiply their impact. It is always exciting to hear of this...Read interview with Tess Gatan Balbas

Approaching Issues from all angles

Supriya Jhunjhunwala, April 2014

Supriya Jhunjhunwala is Advisor on a GIZ (German Development Cooperation) project for the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Existing and Potential Coastal and Marine Protected Areas in India. Here...Read interview with Supriya Jhunjhunwala

Devoted to dugongs

Patricia Davis, December 2013

Eleven years ago, Patricia and two other young conservationists co-founded a small, non-profit organization to carry out small-scale environmental research and education projects in Palau, Micronesia, and work with...Read interview with Patricia Davis

Preserving rivers without boundaries

Eugene Simonov, August 2013

Rivers have been an important feature in Eugene Simonov’s life for many years. As coordinator of River without Boundaries he plays an important role in drawing together international organizations...Read interview with Eugene Simonov

Putting the rock ‘n’ roll into herpetology

Nicolas Urbina, April 2013

During a recent trip to Colombia the CLP was reunited with Dr Nicolas Urbina-Cardona, CLP alumnus and Director of the Bachelor Programme in Ecology, at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in...Read interview with Nicolas Urbina