Cambridge Masters in Conservation Leadership

The University of Cambridge MPhil in Conservation Leadership is now accepting applications for the 2024-25 academic year. We invite prospective candidates to join our upcoming virtual Q&A session with Course Director Professor Chris Sandbrook to learn more about this Master's degree. 📅 Tuesday, 5th November ⏰ 12:00-1:00 PM (GMT) 📝 Registration required: https://lnkd.in/d2T5V-Eg Upon registration, you will receive confirmation details with meeting access information.

🦅 A brilliant day visiting the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) headquarters in Thetford with our Cambridge Master's in Conservation Leadership students! We were warmly welcomed by Dr Juliet Vickery, Chief Executive Officer of BTO, who delivered a fascinating presentation on how science underpins effective conservation. Our students gained invaluable insights into BTO's research methodologies and their practical applications in conservation decision-making. The BTO team's enthusiasm was infectious as they shared their expertise in bird ringing, demonstrating how this crucial scientific practice contributes to our understanding of bird populations and migration patterns. The students particularly appreciated this hands-on introduction to BTO's impactful research work. This visit exemplifies what makes our Master's programme truly distinctive: the unique opportunity to learn directly from world-leading conservation practitioners. The Cambridge Master's in Conservation Leadership is delivered through an unparalleled partnership between the University of Cambridge and ten-plus prominent conservation organisations within the Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI) Conservation Initiative. 🌿 Keen to become part of this transformative programme? Apply here: www.cl.geog.cam.ac.uk

As the world faces a triple planetary crisis—climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss—addressing these interconnected challenges requires skilled leaders across every sector and community. Seventeen delegates from The University of Cambridge Conservation Leadership Alumni Network (UCCLAN) are attending COP16 in Cali, Colombia this week to foster impactful, nature-positive, and fair actions, with at least 30 UCCLAN alumni participating in total across various delegations. With over 260 conservation professionals across 90 countries, UCCLAN is committed to seeing the following points integrated into the negotiations: 1️⃣ Empowering individuals and communities to lead fair, collective transformational change 2️⃣ Mainstreaming biodiversity across all sectors, addressing root causes of biodiversity loss 3️⃣ Shaping a successful landscape for the implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) Our position statement is available to read online - https://lnkd.in/dEtnTHMP. Reach out to us to connect with us in Cali, and learn more about our network here: https://lnkd.in/dx7AJeks. Our delegation of conservation leaders is contributing expertise from various sectors, building upon UCCLAN's consistent engagement with CBD since 2019.

A time of transitions at Cambridge: whilst our new cohort settles into their conservation leadership journey, we're proudly celebrating the graduation of our Class of 2023-24! These extraordinary conservation professionals haven't just earned their degree from the University of Cambridge - they've strengthened their existing expertise, formed lasting bonds, and enhanced their leadership capabilities to continue driving meaningful change in global conservation. Their journey has been enriched by our unique partnership with leading conservation organisations within the Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI). Based in the David Attenborough Building, our graduates have benefited from direct engagement with practitioners and researchers from the world-leading conservation organisations As one chapter closes, another begins - both for our graduates continuing their impactful work in conservation and for potential future conservation leaders. Could you be part of our next cohort? Applications for October 2025 entry are open until 3 December 2024. Join our global network of conservation leaders creating positive change worldwide. Learn more and apply: www.cl.geog.cam.ac.uk Congratulations to our graduates! We look forward to following your continued success in conservation leadership. 🌍

We're thrilled to share an innovative project led by three of our brilliant alumni! 🐳 Fancy a chat with a dodo or a whale? Now you can, thanks to cutting-edge AI at the University of Cambridge's Museum of Zoology! This groundbreaking initiative is the brainchild of Nature Perspectives, founded by our very own Masters in Conservation Leadership graduates: • Gal Zanir • Abhik Palit • Tatjana Baleta Their mission? To combat biodiversity loss by fostering deeper connections between people and nature through AI-powered conversations. We're immensely proud to see our alumni pushing boundaries in conservation engagement. 🔬 Learn more about this exciting project and visiting times: https://lnkd.in/dn8qWStm

New Cohort Arrives at David Attenborough Building We're thrilled to announce the arrival of our newest cohort of Master's students in Conservation Leadership at the David Attenborough Building (DAB)! These bright minds from diverse backgrounds are set to embark on an inspiring journey to become the next generation of conservation leaders. The cohort was warmly welcomed to the DAB by Professor Melissa Leach, the Executive Director of the Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI). Professor Leach, who began her role on June 1, 2024, brings a wealth of experience as a Professor of Social Anthropology at the University of Cambridge and a Bye-Fellow of Pembroke College. Following the welcome, the Conservation Leadership team provided a comprehensive briefing about the course, giving students insights into the exciting year ahead. In a special arrangement, the new cohort also had the valuable opportunity to meet and connect with alumni from the programme, gaining first-hand perspectives on the transformative journey they're about to undertake. We're proud of the diverse and talented group of individuals joining us this year. To learn more about each of these future conservation leaders, you can read their bios here: https://lnkd.in/dA8uanzc Do you know someone who would be perfect for this masters? We're always looking for dedicated individuals to join our future cohorts. If you or someone you know is interested in being part of the next generation of conservation leaders, we encourage you to learn more about our programme and application process. Help us spread the word and shape the future of conservation! To learn more and apply, visit: www.cl.geog.cam.ac.uk

 Applications Now Open for Cambridge Masters in Conservation Leadership This ground-breaking course equips future leaders with the skills to drive positive change in global conservation. Hosted by University of Cambridge Department of Geography, it is delivered in collaboration with the Cambridge Conservation Initiative in the David Attenborough Building. Key programme features: Hands-on, applied leadership and management skills  Collaboration with world-leading conservation organizations  Global alumni network spanning 90+ countries We're proud to partner with organizations including BirdLife International, Fauna & Flora , IUCN, Wildlife Conservation Society, TRAFFIC, UNEP-WCMC, British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), Cambridge Conservation Forum, Tropical Biology Association and RSPB. Scholarships available: We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of financial circumstances. Full and partial scholarships are offered to support outstanding applicants. Application deadline: 3 December 2024 To learn more and apply, visit: www.cl.geog.cam.ac.uk 

Continuing Our Series on Conservation Leaders: Tamar Pataridze , a 2012-13 graduate of the Masters in Conservation Leadership programme, has made significant strides in environmental protection and conservation since completing her studies at Cambridge. Upon returning to Georgia, Tamar took on the role of head of the Forest Policy Service at the Ministry of Environmental Protection. She faced the challenge of entering a sector historically dominated by male professionals and bridging the trust gap between old forest institutions and newly created policy units. Through facilitated communication and stakeholder engagement, Tamar successfully led the creation of the National Forest Concept for Georgia, defining the country's approach to forests and outlining practical steps for implementation. Currently, as the regional conservation director at Caucasus Nature Fund , Tamar leads the organisation's technical assistance programme for protected areas in Armenia and Georgia. Her diverse portfolio includes strengthening rangers' patrolling capacities and standardising biodiversity monitoring practices. Tamar's influence extends beyond national borders. While still at Cambridge, she was elected as a regional member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN ) Council. She also became a member of the Multidisciplinary Expert Panel of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). In this role, she contributed to recognising the importance of Indigenous and local knowledge in conservation efforts. Reflecting on her journey, Tamar notes, "Every career step I've made since the MPhil carries the effects of not only practical leadership skills or technical knowledge gained through the course, but its overall spirit that encourages one to be passionate, open-minded, creative and inclusive."

Conservation leadership takes many forms, from field researchers to policy makers. Cambridge alumna Abhisheka Krishnagopal (2020-21) exemplifies how impactful work can happen in educational settings, inspiring the next generation to connect with nature. After returning to Bengaluru, Abhisheka rejoined the Nature Conservation Foundation, an NGO where she had worked before Cambridge. One of her first projects was developing an innovative book for high school students that uses art, games, hands-on activities, scientific experiments and cultural connections to teach about Sustainability and Biodiversity. Funded by Wipro Foundation, the book has been translated into multiple languages and distributed to over 1,500 schools across India. Abhisheka is now the Programme Manager for NCF's Early Bird initiative, which aims to connect children to nature through birds. In addition to creating open-access, multilingual learning tools through "How to be a Birding Buddy" workshops, Early Bird has trained hundreds of educators across India, both in-person and online. Another unique project Abhisheka was involved in was the 'Bird Song' exhibition hosted by Indian Music Experience Museum (IME), Bengaluru in collaboration with Early Bird. The exhibit was a coming together of birds, art and music and attracted around 25,000 visitors. In 2024, she took on a monumental challenge - introducing nature education into 500 rural libraries across Karnataka state to foster connections between children and the natural world as part of a government pilot programme. She curated a nature education kit in the regional language (Kannada) which was distributed to 500 rural librarians. She then put together a team of eleven resource persons who were trained by her, and the twelve of them travelled to 31 districts of Karnataka in March 2024, training 500 rural librarians as bird educators. Karnataka currently has around 5,600 rural libraries and the government department that supported this programme is now keen on introducing nature education to remaining libraries as well. This model can inspire other states in India to introduce nature education in formal as well as informal institutions. "The Masters gave me the confidence to lead large-scale projects and work directly with government officials," Abhisheka shared. "It helped me think big and tackle interdisciplinary conservation efforts." With alumni like Abhisheka inspiring future generations, the Cambridge Masters in Conservation Leadership programme continues to cultivate leaders who are shaping a holistic, sustainable future for our planet.

🌍 'Notes from the Field' Returns: Restoring Landscapes through the Voluntary Carbon Market 🌿 We're thrilled to announce the second online talk of 'Notes from the Field' series, showcasing the outstanding work of our alumni and fostering collaboration within our community. Join us for an insightful presentation by Alastair Jones on 'Restoring Landscapes under the Voluntary Carbon Market'. In this thought-provoking session, Alastair will share his expertise on: • The VCM's role in driving landscape restoration • Linking multinational corporations with on-ground implementers • Challenges including project credibility and climate risk • Pathways for equitable benefits and improved monitoring Date: 11 JULY Time: 9 AM BST This is a brilliant opportunity to engage with a seasoned professional and gain valuable insights into the complexities of carbon markets and ecosystem restoration. Register now: https://lnkd.in/dQpM8TCu We're committed to fostering knowledge-sharing and collaboration to drive meaningful change in conservation leadership. Don't miss this chance to expand your professional network and connect with fellow conservation leaders. Please share this opportunity with your colleagues to amplify the voices of conservation leaders worldwide. 📣