Congratulations to the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative, which last week was announced as one of the recipients of this year’s Earthshot Prize. Based in Kazakhstan, Altyn Dala has already achieved the dramatic recovery of the Saiga Antelope, previously on the brink of extinction. It is now working to restore and preserve the country’s Golden Steppe, one of the world’s least protected natural ecosystems.
Altyn Dala is led by the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK), the Kazakh partner of BirdLife International. Darwin Master Dr Mike Rands was instrumental in the foundation of BirdLife International, which he led as Chief Executive from 1996 to 2009. He retains a role as its Chair, and last month visited Kazakhstan to host the BirdLife International Partnership Meeting for the European and Central Asian Region, bringing together 46 partner organisations working across the region to achieve conservation ambitions.
Since the introduction of the Earthshot Prize in 2020, Darwin has been one of 200 organisations around the world invited to submit nominations. Founded by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and incubated by The Royal Foundation, the prize aims to incentivise changes to repair the planet, to research, develop and scale the most impactful solutions to the world’s greatest challenges.
His Royal Highness described this year’s winners and finalists as ‘lighting the path for a sustainable future for us all.”
“Their groundbreaking work demonstrates that with the right support and collaboration, we can scale solutions that will repair and regenerate our planet,” he said. “Let their success inspire us to act with urgency and optimism, ensuring a thriving world for future generations.”
We are excited by the opportunity we have as an Earthshot Nominator to draw attention to the work of innovative, imaginative and effective agents of environmental change around the world. Members of the Darwin community are warmly invited to share in this role, and to let the College know of any projects you believe should be considered for nomination.
