I’m Alexandra Verdes, an ecologist and environmental project manager with over 5 years of experience in the NGO and conservation sector. I currently work with WWF Romania, supporting the implementation of various projects, including cross-border initiatives focused on wildlife connectivity and conservation in the Carpathians, as well as forestry, innovation, and climate change projects.
My academic background includes a Master’s in Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation and specialised training in animal-assisted therapy, waste management, and environmental education. I’ve also worked with youth groups, local communities, and international partners to organise different events, trainings, and outreach programs.
My key interests include:
🟢Biodiversity protection: wildlife and forestry conservation
🟢 Wildlife crime- illegal logging (new interest)
🟢 Environmental education
🟢 Community involvement in conservation
🟢 Project coordination and donor reporting
I’m enthusiastic about collaboration, sharing knowledge, and learning from others working in the field of nature conservation.
WildHub Community Advocates Coordinator|Interdisciplinary Researcher, Uppsala University
Recent Comments
Welcome aboard, Alexandra!
Your interdisciplinary perspective and interest in leveraging innovative technologies align beautifully with the values and forward-thinking spirit of our community. We look forward to your insights, stories, and contributions!
You may be interested in joining our Conservation Catalyst programme which is a fantastic way to connect with professionals across the conservation field.
As a Catalyst, you’ll:
Interview conservation experts of your choice
Share content that informs and inspires
Expand your network and visibility
Help drive more effective conservation action
It’s a flexible, low-commitment role with big impact. Find out more here: https://wildhub.community/posts/call-for-conservation-catalysts
Enjoy exploring our platform and please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions.
Hi Flavia,
Thanks for the warm welcome! I’m excited to explore the community and will check out the Conservation Catalyst programme — looking forward to connecting with everyone.
Best,
Alexandra V
A warm welcome to WildHub, Alexandra!
Your work sounds absolutely fantastic! Would you mind sharing what type of activities you organised for children and youth?
Hi Fairuse,
Thank you for reaching out!
My interest in environmental education started at university, when a short volunteer stint at a kindergarten sparked my curiosity. Later, I had the chance to help organize events for a local zoo’s Carnivores Month, where my colleagues and I partnered with schools to present about carnivores in Romania, run a drawing competition, and invite the winners to a picnic at the zoo. Those early experiences really shaped my approach to engaging children and youth in conservation.
At WWF Romania, I’ve worked with teachers to create a guide and organize a camp for youngsters from Romania, Ukraine, and Slovakia. You can also explore some of our previous projects and publications here: Open Borders for Bears. Our new project will allow us to continue school partnerships, run another camp, and introduce debates: Coop4Safe.
I’m always happy to share experiences and exchange ideas with others passionate about environmental education!
Best,
Alexandra V.
🧸🌲 What an inspiring initiative, Alexandra!
Tusnad EcoBear 2025 sounds like a powerful convergence of science, community, and compassion, exactly the kind of dialogue we need to foster meaningful coexistence with large carnivores. I’m especially drawn to the emphasis on community-based conservation and ethical population management. These are such vital, often under-discussed dimensions of wildlife work.
The hands-on workshops at Lake Saint Anne and Mohos Peat Bog sound like a brilliant way to ground theory in lived experience. I’d love to hear more about how local stories and cultural perspectives are being woven into the sessions. Are there opportunities for participants to share traditional knowledge or co-create solutions?
Also, the use of AI and drones for conflict prevention is fascinating. If you ever feel like sharing examples or lessons learned from these tech applications, I know many of us would be eager to learn.
Please keep posting; your work brings such richness to this space. Looking forward to following the journey and hopefully collaborating in some way!
Warm regards,
Simon
Dear Simon,
Thank you for your interest. I attended last year’s conference only as an audience member, and the main opportunities to share if you are not presenting are during the breaks, lunches, or the field trip. I should have emphasized that this is an in-person conference only, with no online option. This decision was made precisely for the reason you mentioned—to encourage participants to connect directly with each other and exchange challenges, tested solutions, knowledge, and more.
Even if you are unable to attend in person, you can still follow the event page on Facebook, and I will also share the abstract book with all the presented projects, studies, and posters afterwards. In the meantime, you might enjoy looking at the topics from last year here: https://tusnadecobear.ro/conf/abstractbook/
I truly appreciate your thoughtful reflections, and I hope we’ll have the chance to exchange ideas more directly in the future.
Best,
Alexandra V.