Future For Nature Awards for Panamanian Sea Turtles, Nepalese Snow Leopards and Puerto Rican Raptors
Thursday, 29 February 2024
Three young nature conservationists have been chosen as the recipients of the prestigious Future For Nature Awards 2024.
From a pool of over two hundred and fifty international candidates, three young leaders in nature conservation have been selected to receive this years’ Future For Nature Award. They stood out for their persistence, commitment and impactful initiatives. On Friday, April 19th 2024, Callie Veelenturf, Rinzin Lama, and Hana Weaver will receive this prestigious nature conservation prize and 50,000 euros each during the Future For Nature Awards ceremony. The Awards ceremony will feature distinguished restoration ecologist and filmmaker John D. Liu as the guest of honour.
Meet the winners:
Callie Veelenturf (32 years old) is a passionate conservationist who has dedicated her life to protecting the leatherback sea turtles in the East Pacific, mainly Panama. She collaborates with local fishers, empowering them to protect the coastal and oceanic habitat crucial for the survival of leatherback sea turtles and other marine life.
Hana Weaver (32 years old) works to safeguard the Puerto Rican Sharp-shinned hawk from the brink of extinction after hurricane Maria destroyed its forest habitat in 2018. Leading a breeding and recovery programme, she successfully raises and releases this endemic bird, contributing to its population resurgence.
Rinzin Lama (33 years old) is a conservation local working closely with the communities to preserve the elusive snow leopards in the remote mountains of the Humla region in Nepal. Through a community-led programme, he addresses human-wildlife conflicts, empowers youth, and strengthens cultural connections with nature.
Future For Nature Award Event and International Support
The Future For Nature Awards ceremony will take place at Royal Burgers’ Zoo, one of the main sponsors, in Arnhem, the Netherlands, on April 19th, 2024. Joining the stage as the guest of honour, John D. Liu will present the Awards to the deserving winners. Past editions of this internationally recognized nature conservation prize were presented by icons such as Sir David Attenborough and Dame Jane Goodall DBE.
Attendance in-person is by invitation only, yet the event can also be experienced globally through digital live stream on YouTube, offering audiences a chance to witness and support the exceptional contributions of these young conservationists in protecting our planet’s precious wildlife and ecosystems for future generations.
