Tara A. Pierce

Hello everyone, I am Hesborn Apwoyo, Founder of Green Community Guardians in Busia, Kenya. We are 20 youth, 15 women, volunteer CBO since 2022. Our work: Sio River wetland is 60% degraded from charcoal cutting and banana waste dumping. We collect 300kg rotten bananas weekly from 5 markets that were dumped in Sio causing methane, and we wash, solar dry and turn into crisps, flour, mandazi and jam for 3 schools. Last month we rescued 300kg and made 1500 snacks. We also collect water hyacinth plus maize husks plus peels, carbonize and press into clean briquettes for 100 families to replace charcoal. 30% profit funds 10000 bamboo and papyrus seedlings to restore 10ha Sio buffer. Zero waste model. Expertise: Land water management, community livelihood, youth training, behaviour change from charcoal to briquettes. Interest: Looking to connect with partners on circular economy, wetland restoration, low cost briquette presses and solar dryers. We have 500 Euro co-funding from Educators Lab and seek partners. Experience: 3 years community clean ups, 2 tons Sio clean up done, school feeding with rescued food. We are based in Busia at Kenya Uganda border. Asante sana for welcoming us. Hesborn Phone +254706409326 Reg No DSD/40/230/01/20348921

An explorer and an aspirant biodiversity conservation researcher. I seek to delve deeper into the study of the human-nature nexus and strive to foster more harmonious coexistence. I have gained brief experience in wildlife conservation at the Creative Conservation Alliance, working with Western Hoolock Gibbons and a few other wild animals. I am also working as an Associate Trainer at Mekateam, a game-based pedagogy where I provide training on basic climate literacy and biodiversity conservation to youth. Moreover, I synthesize and express my understanding of biodiversity and the natural world through my initiative, 'Toru.' Currently, I am undertaking research on Asian Elephants addressing the human-elephant conflict in Bangladesh.

I am an Economist and Researcher who is passionate about the conservation, biodiversity, nature based solutions and preservation of the ecosystem and the environment. I have experience as a reviewer and policy advocate.  I look forward to finding the like-minded people and learn from one another.

I’m a field-based conservationist and institutional founder working at the intersection of ecology, governance, and knowledge systems in the Philippines. For over 15 years, my work has involved biodiversity research, trail and landscape exploration, community-integrated conservation, and long-term engagement with Indigenous Peoples and local governments. I’ve worked on species rediscovery, reforestation and carbon forestry, conservation field surveys, and governance-oriented mountain initiatives across Luzon and Mindoro. At present, I lead the Mindoro Warty Pig Conservation Project, consult as a Reforestation Manager for the SJDM Carbon Forest, and conduct ongoing studies on a number of species, namely the Mindoro Hawk-Owl, the Mindoro Bleeding-heart Pigeon, and the Sierra Madre Aquatic Skink.  On top of these, I make sure that my work remains focused in answering a broader question: how societies recognize, translate, and govern ecological reality in biodiversity-rich but institutionally fragmented contexts. In 2024, I co-founded the Sierra Madre Conservation Society (SierraPH), where I initiated four interlinked programs: • Found Nation, a counter-archive for forgotten and long-undocumented species • The Sierra Madre Trail Program, a governance-first framework for ethical movement through mountains • SierraCon, a knowledge summit connecting science, society, and climate resilience • The League of Indigenous Peoples Innovators (LIPI), an institutional incubation platform for Indigenous-led governance innovation Increasingly, my work explores how cultural memory, art, and ethics shape which species are seen, remembered, or forgotten and how these forces influence conservation priorities and public understanding. Across these efforts, my focus is on building durable structures that allow ecological knowledge, Indigenous authority, and conservation practice to endure beyond individual projects, personalities, or funding cycles.

Abdul-Mumin Yussif, passionate about climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and community empowerment. As Program Manager at UF4D and Ghana’s National Focal Person for GNDR, I work to advance environmental justice and empower local communities to drive global climate solutions. 🌍🌱

Wiem Boussellaa is a dedicated marine biologist researcher from Tunisia, specializing in marine conservation and the management of marine ecosystems. With a Ph.D. in Marine Sciences, Wiem has contributed significantly to projects aimed at preserving marine life. Currently, as a postdoctoral researcher at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn in Naples, Italy, their work focuses on the energy expenditure and ecology of sea turtles during swimming. Wiem has held key roles in various marine conservation projects, including the Life MedTurtles project at the Faculty of Sciences of Sfax and the Deep Blue project with OGS. As a member of the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) and a project manager for the Tunisian Taxonomy Association (ATUTAX), Wiem has actively participated in the fight against ghost fishing and has been instrumental in developing a National Code of Conduct for Ghost Gear Management in Tunisia. Throughout their career, Wiem has authored several publications on marine ecosystems and conservation and has been recognized for several innovative contributions to the field. With extensive experience in project management, scientific research, and international collaboration, they continue to drive impactful conservation efforts within the Mediterranean region. 

I am a passionate communicator and researcher with an extensive background in the environmental humanities and social sciences. My work is driven by a desire to deepen our understanding of the relationships between people and nature and to foster more compassionate, sustainable ways of living alongside other species. Based between Sweden and the UK, I work in academia, teaching courses in environmental law, political and historical ecology, and disaster risk management. Alongside my academic work, I contribute to non-profit organisations advancing conservation and animal welfare. At Faunalytics, I translate complex research into accessible insights that support evidence-based advocacy. As a feature writer for Ubuntu Magazine, I spotlight conservation initiatives and the people driving change. As Community Advocates Coordinator at WildHub, I lead strategic communications and initiatives that connect, engage, and empower conservation practitioners worldwide. When I'm not working, you'll find me hiking forest trails with my dog or enjoying a good cup of coffee.