The Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) has announced the winners of its 2025 Team Awards – the 40th anniversary cohort – comprising 16 teams of 62 emerging conservationists around the world. CLP is supporting both the vital work and professional development of these leaders as they forge their careers in conservation.
One of the 2025 CLP Team Awards is supporting a team in Peru focused on the conservation of freshwater killifish (Oriestas spp.) © Grupo RANA
For the last four decades, the CLP partnership of BirdLife International, Fauna & Flora and the Wildlife Conservation Society has directed support to aspiring conservation leaders from early in their careers, who are working on the ground in low- and middle-income countries rich in biodiversity but limited in capacity and resources.
As in previous years, each of the 2025 award-winning teams has been granted project funding (this year worth a total of US$215,511) and will receive specialised training as well as ongoing mentorship and networking opportunities through the CLP partnership and alumni network, which now numbers approximately four and a half thousand conservationists worldwide.
This year’s award-winning projects are taking place in 12 different countries across the world – from Brazil to Ghana to Indonesia – and are locally-led initiatives involving both field research and stakeholder engagement focused on protecting some of the world’s most threatened and least understood species (categorised by the IUCN Red List as CR, EN, VU or DD), of all taxa. There are a total of 43 threatened species targeted for conservation by this year’s CLP Team Award projects, of which over half (25 species) are either Critically Endangered (CR) or Endangered (EN).
Eight of the 16 projects supported by the 2025 CLP Team Awards; showing target species and countries in which the projects will take place
Many of the sites in which these projects are taking place are internationally recognised as important for biodiversity, including Biodiversity Hotspots, UNESCO World Heritage sites, Ramsar sites, Key Biodiversity Areas, Important Bird & Biodiversity Areas, Important Plant Areas, a Mission Blue Hope Spot and an Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve.
The award-winning projects will contribute to the advancement of knowledge and the implementation of long-term, sustainable solutions, such as the development of community-led management plans and governance; informing legislation; updating IUCN Red List categories; and the establishment of new protected areas.
Below we feature a selection of the projects and award-winners; more information can be found in our Projects pages.
The 2025 CLP Team Awards are generously funded by the Hempel Foundation, the March Conservation Fund, the Rufford Foundation, and Arcadia – a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin.
Eight of the 16 projects supported by the 2025 CLP Team Awards; showing target species and countries in which the projects will take place
Developing culturally-based hornbill conservation strategies
This project aims to address the emerging threat of hornbill consumption among indigenous communities of Kapuas Hulu, Kalimantan, Indonesia. By interviewing locals, the team will gain a better understanding of this behaviour, and document the cultural values associated with hornbills. Using this information, the team will develop culturally-based conservation strategies integrating local values with natural resource management, and preserve traditional knowledge that may otherwise be lost.
“[This CLP award] is our very first international recognition for leading a conservation project, and it means the world to us. More than just a reward, we see it as a beginning—a chance to keep learning, growing, and contributing to conservation with greater impact.” – Firman Heru Kurniawan, Project Lead
The black hornbill in Kalimantan, Indonesia © Firman Heru Kurniawan
Understanding the risk status of two endemic tarantulas in the Western Ghats
This project will fill knowledge gaps about two endemic species of burrowing tarantulas, Haploclastus kayi and Haploclastus devamatha, and determine their appropriate IUCN Red List categories. The population of both of these endemic species is highly fragmented, and its geographic range is currently limited to less than 5000 km². The team will also launch community-led monitoring programmes and conservation education initiatives for these species in the southern Western Ghats, India.
“This award is validation of our tireless passion for conservation. This is not just a milestone, but the beginning of a critical new chapter in our mission to give tarantulas the voice and protection they deserve.” – Aswathy S, Project Lead
Documenting microhabitat parameters of a live tarantula burrow during field surveys in the Western Ghats—crucial data for understanding species-specific ecological requirements © Sangeeth K.R.
Gentle giants of Mozambique: Protecting vulnerable species for a thriving ocean
Lack of knowledge about sharks and rays along the Jangamo coastline of Mozambique has motivated this project team to conduct aerial (drone) surveys of this designated Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA) and Mission Blue Hope Spot.
“These surveys will provide baseline data on the populations and movements of marine megafauna, as well as fishing pressure and compliance, to inform legislation and aid the creation of a locally managed Marine Protected Area.” – Yudmila Chunguane, Project Lead
Whale shark © Jeff Hester
Saving the Critically Endangered cave squeaker in Chimanimani Zimbabwe
After the 2017 rediscovery of the Critically Endangered cave squeaker in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe – the only known site for the species – the project team will conduct the most comprehensive survey of the species ever conducted to date here to better understand numbers, distribution, habitat quality, and threats, which will inform conservation planning and advocacy. Read more here.
“I was thrilled and greatly honoured to receive the CLP award and the news felt like a huge vote of confidence in the work that we are so passionate about. The award gave us renewed energy to drive impact in our communities and ecosystem” – Shingirai Sakarombe, Project Lead
ZimParks Ranger, Collen Sibanda and Rejoice Matangi examining an amphibian during the search for the cave squeaker in the Chimanimani Mountains © Shingirai Sakarombe
Integrating Mayan Poqomchi’ knowledge and herpetofauna conservation in the Guatemalan Highlands
In the Highlands of Guatemala, the project team aims to revive the local Poqomchi’ peoples’ traditional coexistence practices with nature, aligned with the community’s aspirations. Workshops on traditional knowledge and biodiversity will be combined with ecological surveys of herpetofauna in forest patches around Chi Choj Lagoon, San Cristóbal Verapaz. The outcome will be the production of educational materials and an environmental conservation module for young people in order to make them decision-makers in conserving their own territory.
“We’re excited about our CLP Award, as there is no current investment in conservation or research projects in Guatemala. These funds will help us continue the work that Nim Poqom Reflection Center started with the communities of Alta Verapaz.” – Rosa Roldán, Project Lead
Herpetofauna surveys around Chi Choj Lagoon, San Cristóbal Verapaz, Guatemalan Highlands © Rosa Roldán
Using thermal drones to assess populations of threatened primates in the Mantiqueira Mountain Range, Brazil
This project will fill knowledge gaps about threatened northern muriqui and brown howler monkeys in the southeast region of Serra da Mantiqueira Mountain range, Brazil. The team will use a thermal camera drone to obtain a precise measurement of the species’ current population status.
“By interviewing local residents, we will raise awareness to contribute to habitat protection and reduce human-primate conflict. Ultimately, the information we collect will contribute to the National Action Plan of the Atlantic Forest Primates.” – Sarisha Trindade do Carmo, Project Lead
The project team with the thermal drone they will use to detect primates in the Serra da Mantiqueira Mountain range, Brazil © Sarisha Trindade
Vangueriopsis shimbaensis in coastal Kenya: Are there only six individuals left?
Vangueriopsis shimbaensis is a Critically Endangered, endemic flowering plant restricted to the Shimba Hills National Reserve, Kenya, where only six mature individuals are known. This project, led by Collins Masinde, will create population status and distribution maps of V. shimbaensis as well as identify threats to the species. The team will also lead focus group discussions and training workshops on seed collection and tree nursery establishment among local communities.
“I was overjoyed and deeply motivated upon learning we won the CLP grant award. This crucial support empowers our urgent mission to conserve coastal Kenya’s unique and critically endangered Vangueriopsis shimbaensis.” – Collins Masinde
A young seedling of V. shimbaensis credited to Saidi (one of the local community members trying to conserve the target species through tree nursery establishment)
Involving local communities in Kashmir muskdeer conservation
This project will combat poaching of the Kashmir muskdeer in the Humla district of Nepal through three approaches: 1) improving knowledge about muskdeer distribution, abundance and threats through field surveys, camera trapping and community focus groups; 2) increasing local conservation awareness through social marketing campaigns; and 3) developing and piloting anti-poaching initiatives led by community citizen scientists.
“This [CLP Award] is my first ever grant and it means so much to me and my team. This award isn’t just recognition; it feels like a turning point. This award is so important for our work to protect the endangered Kashmir muskdeer in the remote region of Humla. It gives us confidence, encouragement, and a real chance to keep pushing forward and make a real impact in conservation sectors.” – Pema Tsoijom Lama, Project Lead
Camera trapping for wildlife monitoring in upper Humla © UKALI
Read about the other award-winning projects:
- Conservation of the Vulnerable northern rufous hornbill in the Zambales Mountains Philippines led by Vince Gicaraya
- Enhancing knowledge local capacity and collaboration for turtle conservation in central Nepal led by Sumana Chhetri
- Informing area-based conservation for guitarfish species in India led by Garima Bora
- Biodiversity conservation of endemic and threatened dragonflies in Kahayan River, central Kalimantan led by Adventus Rangin
- Recovery and conservation of the Critically Endangered great tiger-nut tree in Ghana led by Albert Aduah
- Conservation of the endemic amphibian species Phrynobatrachus afiabirago in Ghana led by Charles Kojo Amponsah
- Working together to protect endangered primates in the Ecuadorian Choc of the province of Manab led by Emily Anahí Mogro Páez
- Evaluation of the conservation status of Orestias spp. with communities in the Central Andes Peru led by Milagros Gertrudes Rojas Lock
Many congratulations to all our 2025 award-winners!
Watch the video announcing the awards below:
Feeling inspired and want to know more?
Over our 40-year history, CLP has helped establish 126 new NGOs, create 76 new protected areas and discover/rediscover 130 species. Browse Our Impact pages to learn more about what our leaders are achieving in conservation and our Projects list provides information on the nearly 950 projects (species and countries) that have received our support.