Even though the world continues to face Covid-19, nature conservation is more important than ever. On Friday 21 May, this year’s three Future For Nature Award winners, Mónica Torres, Karolina Araya Sandoval and Mohsen Rezaie-Atagholipour were given the opportunity to present their work at the fourteenth annual FFN Award ceremony. This was the second year in a row that the ceremony was held digitally, but the FFN community is closer than ever.
Inspiring Stories
Hundreds of digital guests watched the FFN Award Ceremony livestream from home through the online platforms Hopin, YouTube and Facebook. After some very kind words from our gracious host and Head of the International Selection Committee member Saba Douglas-Hamilton and Guest of Honour and renowned nature photographer Frans Lanting, it was time to give the virtual floor to our three winners. Mónica Torres, tuning in from Guatemala, moved us all with her wonderful story about how she overcame challenges while protecting the endemic Abronia campbelli lizard. She has managed to join forces with poachers and convince them to join her cause. Karolina Araya Sandoval, live from Chile, touched our hearts with her efforts to save the smallest bird in Chile, the Chilean woodstar hummingbird. With her foundation Picaflor de Arica, Karolina raises awareness among local people, creates alliances with communities and protects the last key habitats of this tiny hummingbird. Lastly it was Mohsen Rezaie-Atagholipour’s turn to wow the crowd with his impressive feats preventing shark and ray by-catch in the Persian Gulf. This marine biologist continues to book amazing results despite political and economic challenges in his country.
Heartfelt messages
Before the main part of the ceremony came to an end, the winners were surprised with heartfelt messages from their teams and families. They were all so proud of what their colleagues and family members have achieved. To add to the surprise, the 2021 winners were also congratulated by previous FFN Award Winners and welcomed into the FFN Family. After the main ceremony was concluded, many guests stuck around to join each winner in an individual session where they could ask any question about the winners and their work.
Looking to the Future
However much everyone hoped for a live ceremony this year, the digital version did not disappoint. The winners, host and Guest of Honour did an amazing job and it was truly a ceremony to never forget. We are excited to see what the future has in store for our promising three winners Mónica, Karolina and Mohsen. We would once again like to congratulate them and welcome them into the FFN Family!
Missed the livestream? You can watch the entire ceremony here:
Updates from the field
The Tale of the People of Amedzofe and the Slippery Frog That Didn’t Slip Away
In Amedzofe, Ghana, protecting a critically endangered frog has gone hand in hand with restoring forests, improving livelihoods and creating new opportunities for local people. What began with a species on the brink…
‘Water Woman’ Wants to Save the Nigerian Killifish: ‘It’s Now or Never’
Olabisi Atofarati conducts scientific research into killifish and pufferfish in southern Nigeria. When she discovered that these freshwater fish were threatened with extinction, due to exploitation for the international ornamental fish trade, she…
