The snow and biting cold in Arnhem, Holland, may have been distinctly un-African, but the stars of the annual Future for Nature awards ceremony certainly made up for it.
Lucy King, Human-Elephant Conflict Programme Manager for Save the Elephants, was one of three winners of the award for her pioneering work developing a beehive fence [link] that deters crop-raiding elephants while providing an extra source of income for farmers.
Lucy aims to spend her award on a new project vehicle for her Elephants and Bees project which will enable her to bring beehive fences to more farmers across Africa.
Lucy proved that African elephants are aware of, and will actively avoid, the threat of disturbed African honey bees. Beehive fences erected around farmland not only protect crops against invading elephants, but also provide the farmers with honey and wax for candles. These simple but highly effective fences make it possible for elephants and people to live in the same area.
Future for Nature supports young, talented and ambitious conservationists committed to protecting species of wild animals and plants. The commitment of these individuals is what will make the difference for the future of nature. Through their leadership they inspire and mobilize communities, organizations, governments, investors and the public at large.
The Future for Nature award is designed to encourage a new generation of outstanding nature conservation leaders. They aim to build a network to provide learning support, mentoring and financial assistance to these young conservation leaders. They also highlight the work and achievements of the Award winners as role models who can pass on their passion for wildlife conservation to other young people.
Samia Saif (27, Bangladesh and student at University of Kent, UK) also received the award for her contribution to tiger conservation in the Sundarbans mangrove forest in Bangladesh. Rudi Hadiansyah Putra (35, Indonesia) also won for his work on the protection of large mammals, with an emphasis on rhinos in Sumatra.
‘Every individual can make a difference, every day again’, said Goodall in her inspiring speech to the audience and winners. ‘Please think about the choices you make, because everything you do as a human being has an influence on other human beings, animals and nature’. Besides making this appeal, she praised the winners as examples to the next generation of nature conservationists..