In 2004, CLP funded a project led by Dr Mirza Kusrini to research frog diversity in one of the last pristine forests on the densely populated island of Java. With ongoing support from CLP, she has since become a leading authority on amphibian and reptile conservation in Indonesia.
Mirza’s initial research uncovered the first known chytrid infection in wild frogs in the whole of Southeast Asia. Subsequent CLP support for her work in the form of a Follow-up Award in 2006 enabled her to extend the remit of her project and embark on a career path that has seen her rise to the top of her chosen field.
“Of course, the funding helped a lot, but more than that, CLP helped to nurture our capabilities by giving us the chance to network and increase our knowledge. CLP’s involvement did not end when our project finished; instead, it constantly stayed in touch and nurtured us by offering opportunities to go to international conferences and to help in mentoring more recent award recipients. It also enabled us to get to know and interact with fellow international conservationists, which gave us a lot of ideas to improve our conservation effort.”