The Global Trees Campaign is delighted to announce its support of the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP). The programme, which supports future conservation leaders, is now accepting applications for the CLP 2018 Future Conservationist Award, in which one project will be dedicated to tree species conservation.

The need to boost conservation action for the world’s threatened trees has never been more urgent. With over 1,900 species already listed as Critically Endangered, many trees are in imminent danger of extinction. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that very few practitioners focus on tree species conservation.

For a second year running one of these awards will be allocated specifically for a project team focusing on a threatened tree species.

The Award

CLP Future Conservationist Awards offer funding of US$12,500 to teams of early-career conservationists to conduct projects on species that are categorised as Data Deficient, Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Projects must take place in one of 31 eligible territories*, be led (or co-led) by a national of one of these countries, involve a minimum of three people and last no more than 12 months.

In addition to providing project funding, CLP will invite one member of each award-winning team, all expenses paid, to an international project management and leadership training course.

Future Leaders

In 2017, support from the Global Trees Campaign helped a team from Oman to carry out fieldwork on the Arabian dragon tree (Dracaena serrulata), an Endangered species. Oman is thought to be a stronghold for the species, containing over 70% of the global population. The CLP Award contributed to a conservation assessment of the species populations in Oman.

Ghudaina Al Issai, leader of the successful dragon tree project, describes what this funding meant to them: “It means a lot to the team, and we appreciate the opportunity CLP is giving us to do some conservation work in Arabia that will hopefully make a change in our region.”

Support for Applicants

From now until the end of November 2017, CLP is accepting applications from early-career conservationists, offering them the opportunity to join a growing network of leaders.

For more information about the 2017 Future Conservationist Award, including the eligibility criteria, applications forms, deadlines and Frequently Asked Questions, visit the CLP website.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to request support from the Global Trees Campaign team in developing and writing their application. Interested applicants are asked to contact [email protected] well before the deadline for more information and advice.

*Eligible countries for this funding round are: American Samoa, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam.