IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

Indah BUDIANI works for The Indonesian Biodiversity Foundation (Yayasan KEHATI) in Jakarta, Indonesia.  Her project is entitled “Best Practices and Innovation of Biodiversity Conservation as Friendly Ways of Adapting to Climate Change in Forest, Coastal, and Agro Ecosystems in Indonesia”.  This research will study and disseminate traditional knowledge and best practices related to climate change adaptation in forest, coastal and small islands, and agro ecosystems.  The goal is to improve community preparedness and resilience to cope with the unpredictable impact of climate change. Her mentors are Gonzalo Oviedo and Jeff McNeely.
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Eduardo DITT works for the Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (IPE) in Brazil, and his project is entitled “Feasibility of standard procedures for monitoring ecosystem services projects in the Atlantic Forest”.  Eduardo’s research aims to develop a set of procedures for monitoring and verifying benefits of projects to forest restoration, adapted to conditions in Brazil, that are financed through voluntary markets of carbon.  Simple and inexpensive procedures and recommendations will be developed for reporting on benefits of climate action projects. His mentor is Joshua Bishop.
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 N. Anil KUMAR works for the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in Kelpeta, Kerala, India.  His project is entitled “Saving Culture for Saving Biodiversity: Exploring the ‘Bio-Cultural’ heritage in conservation of 5 rare, endemic & threatened (RET) tree species of Western Ghats of Kerala”.  The research hopes to establish the link between cultural and ethnic roles of local society in conservation and sustainable utilization of five high-value trees that are threatened, rare and endemic to the Western Ghats of India.  Data reveals that the local community men and women play a key role in conservation of these species, often related to their ancient traditions, customs and belief-systems as well as in their livelihood options.  The results will be a significant contribution to the biodiversity strategy and action plan and achieving the 2010 biodiversity targets of India. His mentors are Gonzalo Oviedo and Jeff McNeely.
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Joe LIEBEZEIT works for the Wildlife Conservation Society. His project is entitled “Evaluating the importance of the Teshekpuk Lake region of the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska as a breeding ground for migratory birds”.  The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of the Teshekpuk Lake region as a breeding ground for migratory birds. Main objectives were to: (1) Provide novel baseline information on how successful birds are at raising their young and which habitats are most important for them for nesting in the Teshekpuk Lake region; (2) Compare how successful birds are at raising young at the remote Teshekpuk with other sites in the region including a site in the Prudhoe Bay oilfields; and (3) Based on our findings provide recommendations to industry and regulatory agencies to minimize impacts to nesting birds in the Teshekpuk Lake region.  His mentors are Joshua Bishop and Jeff McNeely.
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Jayant SARNAIK works for the Applied Environmental Research Foundation (AERF) in India.  His project is entitled “Resource assessment of high biodiversity value species with a bio-fuel potential in Northern Western Ghats of India”. This research will produce a detailed report of the project area and potential for promoting uses in biofuel, status of species, and a framework for sustainable use of species in meeting local energy needs and livelihoods.  His mentors are Andrea Athanas and Jeff McNeely.
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 Diego TOBAR LOPEZ works for CATIE, in the Department of Agriculture & Agroforesty, in Turrialba, Costa Rica.  His project is on “Conserving butterfly diversity in agricultural landscapes in Rio La Veija, Quindio, Colombia and Copan-Honduras”.   His research will identify farm and landscape management practices that contribute to sustaining biodiversity in tropical agricultural landscapes, with aims to evaluate a landscape’s contribution to conservation, production, and poverty alleviation. The research will also contribute to improving farming practices that simultaneously improve livelihoods and sustain native biodiversity and ecosystem services. His mentor is Jeff McNeely.
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Nga DANG works for the WWF Greater Mekong-Vietnam Country Programme, in Hanoi, Vietnam.  Her project is entitled “Paying for watershed protection in the Thu Bon River Basin”.  This study will help contribute to more equality between watershed beneficiaries and the poor. Outcomes from the research may be used to develop other PES schemes in this and other provinces in Vietnam. Her mentor is Joshua Bishop.
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Charles (Josh) Donlan works for Advanced Conservation Strategies in Santa Cruz, California.  His research project “Exploring biodiversity offsets as a tool for fisheries bycatch management” was submitted to IUCN and following review by his mentor, Joshua Bishop, and Jeff McNeely, his final report has been sent to IIE.
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Sebastien Luc Kamga Kamden works for the African Centre for Applied Forestry Research and Development (CARFAD) in Yaounde, Cameroon.  His project is on “Ancestral Beliefs and Conservation: Case of sacred areas in Bandjoun”.  His research hopes to raise public awareness, especially among decision makers, promote ecotourism, create a living laboratory for scientists and students while also serving their socio-cultural and ecological roles.  His mentor is Gonzalo Oviedo.
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Seth Shames works for Ecoagriculture Partners in Washington. His research project is on “Integrating agriculture into the UN Convention on Biological Diversity”.  This research will highlight innovative, on-the-ground agriculture/conservation planning techniques and technologies, as well as policy and market opportunities to provide incentives for the integration of conservation activities into agricultural landscapes. His draft report was reviewed in detail by his mentor is Jeff McNeely, and the final report has been submitted.
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Sulastri Hidayat works for the Indonesian Center for Biodiversity and Biotechnology in Bogor, Indonesia.  Her research was on “Exploration of Indonesia’s biodiesel producing microalgae as a sustainable energy source”. Her excellent final report has been reviewed by her mentor, Jeff McNeely, and has been submitted.
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Pieter van Eijk works for Wetlands International in The Netherlands.  His research project is on “The bio-rights financial mechanism: reconciling poverty alleviation and nature conservation: Sharing experiences and lessons learned.”  This research will enable improvement of the bio-rights approach, enhance visibility of what has been accomplished, and, hopefully, enable up-scaling of the mechanism in the near future. His mentor is Joshua Bishop.
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Zhiling Dao, working at the Kunming Institute of Botany in the People's Republic of China, will complete a study on the agrobiodiversity of highland barley. His mentor will be Jeff McNeely, IUCN Chief Scientist;
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Ivo Mulder, from the Foundation for Sustainable Development in the Netherlands, will conduct a scoping exercise for measuring the biodiversity performance of financial institutions based in China. He will be mentored by Josh Bishop, IUCN Senior Advisor for Economics and Environment;
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Mercedes Otegui Acha, from the Rigoberta Menchu Tum Foundation Office in Mexico, will undertake a survey and documentation of sacred natural sites of indigenous peoples and local communities in Mexico. She will be mentored by Gonzalo Oviedo, IUCN Senior Advisor for Social Policy;
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Arlene Sampang, of the WorldFish Center in the Philippines, will conduct an evaluation of traditional fishing practices towards biodiversity conservation and sustainability. She will be mentored by Gonzalo Oviedo, IUCN Senior Advisor for Social Policy;
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Edgardo Tongson, working at WWF- Philippines, will examine the case of Sibuyan Island for creating incentives for watershed management and biodiversity conservation. He will be mentored by Josh Bishop, IUCN Senior Advisor for Economics and Environment.
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The second round fellows will be welcomed at IUCN HQ for an orientation workshop from 4th-7th September 2006.