ACBK — Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan

From November 4 to 6, Almaty hosted the first meeting of the working group for the SNAPP Resilient Rangelands: Balancing Rural Economies and Ecosystem Integrity project, funded by the Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP) initiative. The event brought together conservationists, economists, and agricultural experts to discuss sustainable rangeland management. The working group consists of representatives from 16 organizations. The primary goal is to develop practical solutions for sustainable rangeland management that benefit both ecosystems and agriculture. The group will convene four times in different locations to review interim results and formulate recommendations. During the meeting, the interdisciplinary team, supported by researchers from Oxford, was introduced to the Foresight Framework method for analyzing variables affecting rangeland sustainability. The project focuses on sharing best practices between Kazakhstan and Mongolia, which share similar rangeland landscapes and livestock systems. Alyona Koshkina, a researcher at the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK), noted: “Despite differences in landscapes, the project areas have much in common, enabling the development of universal solutions for both countries.” At the first meeting, working group members presented their strategies and experiences in rangeland management. The next meeting is scheduled to take place in Mongolia in 2025. The Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP) brings together experts to develop scalable solutions at the intersection of conservation and sustainable development. Project groups receive funding and analytical support to create practical recommendations and decision-making tools. Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP) Wildlife Conservation Society Mongolia RSPB Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative

Join me in person at Austrian Cultural Forum London on November 13th 6pm for artist-guided tour of our art project exhibition "Steppe Synanthropies: extant across continents" and 7pm for an art and science conversation "Can human lifeways produce opportunities for a new wild life to be born?" led by me and my fellow artist researcher Alisa Verbina with two amazing researchers, Carol Kerven who has been working with and for Central Asian pastoralists since 1995, and Ruslan Urazaliyev who have been studying and taking care of critically endangered migratory bird species and urban wildlife in Kazakhstan for over decade. Wednesday November 13th 7pm. Austrian Cultural Forum, 28 Rutland Gate, London SW7 1PQ Free entrance. Refreshments will be served, including a very special cured Turkmen waharman melon. Please share our invite with your communities in London, register at https://lnkd.in/dXbfVCmn; come and immerse into sounds, visuals, and stories about place and communities that matter to me and my colleagues - my home - Central Eurasia. Those events are part of the interdisciplinary, mixed-media exhibition by Alisa Verbina, Olha Vinichenko and me, where we draw on ornithology, computation, folk art, video, and performance art to reflect and connect the routes and narratives of birds and people(s), whose shared habitats and life cycles span borders and persist across continents. Event is organized in partnership with the Sociable Lapwing Conservation Project ACBK — Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan Steppe Synanthropies: extant across continents project is on view at AFC until December 12th 2024 in London and will be part of group exhibition IMAGINE CLIMATE DIGNITY at Künstlerhaus Vereinigung from March to June 2025 in Vienna. Images: (1) Video performance by Alisa Verbina and Olha Vinichenko, accompanied by Turkmen Yomud women singing ghazal (semi-improvised poetic story-telling), co-written by Selbi Jumayeva, about lapwings in Central Asia. Migratory bird tracking devices, used in ACBK research by Ruslan Urazaliyev. Currently on view at AFC; (2) Tablecloth embroidered with Turkmen tribal stitch designs by hand and machine, illustrating migratory routes of lapwings in Central Eurasia, co-created by Selbi Jumayeva and Alisa Verbina. Currently on view at AFC; (3) Sociable Lapwing tagged with a tracking advice. Courtesy of Ruslan Urazaliyev/ACBK; (4) Interviewing Kazakh shepherd in Sartakum, Kazakhstan. Courtesy of Carol Kerven; (5) Tagging birds. Courtesy of R.U./ACBK (6) At an old livestock sokhoz winter well, Moinkum desert in South Central Kazakhstan. Courtesy of Carol Kerven; (7) Engaging local shepherds in Norther Kazakhstan. Courtesy of R.U./ACBK BirdLife International RSPB

We are thrilled to announce that the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative @altyndala has been named the winner of the prestigious Earthshot Prize 2024 in the “Protect and Restore Nature” category, awarded by His Royal Highness Prince William!  This incredible recognition highlights our dedication to restoring and preserving Kazakhstan’s unique steppe ecosystems. By sharing knowledge and experience with like-minded teams, Altyn Dala is contributing to global initiatives to protect and restore temperate grasslands. The recognition of the initiative as an Earthshot Prize winner therefore ensures that the learnings and experiences of the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative benefit nature restoration across the globe. On hearing the news, Vera Voronova, Executive Director of ACBK, said: “Becoming a winner of The Earthshot Prize is not only an incredible honour, but also a testament to the power of partnership in conservation. With the support of the Prize, we will scale up our initiatives and expand collaboration to attract new knowledge and additional resources.” The Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative is led by ACBK, with financial and technical assistance from Fauna & Flora Fauna & Flora Frankfurt Zoological Society / Zoologische Gesellschaft Frankfurt and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds RSPB,  in partnership with the Committee of Forestry and Wildlife of the Government of Kazakhstan's Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. Beyond Kazakhstan, due to the multiple problems facing temperate grasslands globally, Altyn Dala is collaborating with other major grassland initiatives in the Mongolian steppe, the American prairie, and Patagonian pampas regions. 

🌍 Hoffnung nach der #COP16: Heute wird der 🌱 The Earthshot Prize 🌱 verliehen – für Lösungen, die unseren Planeten heilen! Einer der 15 beeindruckenden Finalisten ist die Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative in Kasachstan. Ihr Ziel: das fragile Ökosystem der "Goldenen Steppe" wiederherzustellen und zu schützen. 🦌 Dabei spielen große Grasfresser wie die Saiga-Antilope eine zentrale Rolle. 💪 Ein Drama und ein Riesenerfolg: 2003 galt die Saiga-Antilope mit dem markanten Rüssel als "kritisch gefährdet" auf der Roten Liste der IUCN. Heute grasen dort wieder fast drei Millionen Tiere! 🏆 🔜 Der nächste Schritt: Weitere Tierarten, die in der Steppe ausgestorben sind – wie der Asiatische Wildesel und das Przewalski-Pferd – sollen zurückkehren, um die 🌿 #Biodiversität zu stärken. Mehr #Artenreichtum bindet #CO₂ und macht die #Steppe widerstandsfähiger gegen den #Klimawandel. ✨ Ein besonderer Moment: Im Juni 2024 durfte ich den ersten Transport von vier Przewalski-Stuten vom Tierpark Berlin in die weite Steppe Kasachstans begleiten. Die ersten seit 200 Jahren. 🐎 Über diese abenteuerliche Reise und die Herausforderungen der Wiederansiedlung von einst fast ausgestorbenen Arten lest ihr in meinem Text in der aktuellen ZEIT ONLINE 📖 💚 Solche Projekte geben mir Hoffnung. Jenseits von politischen und wirtschaftlichen Machtkämpfen arbeiten engagierte Menschen aus Ost und West zusammen. Sie wissen: Wir können nur MIT der Natur überleben. Das bedeutet Raum für die Natur – kein "Natur gegen Mensch", sondern ein respektvolles Miteinander, in dem unsere Um-Welt gesund bleibt, wovon wiederum die in ihr lebenden Menschen profitieren.  🌱🌍 🔹 So hat das Projekt das Ziel, bis 2030 725 neue Jobs im Naturschutz zu schaffen. Neue Chancen liegen auch im #nachhaltigen #Tourismus. Wovon wiederum Hotels, Restaurants und regionale Produzenten profitieren. 🌏 Große Graslandschaften gibt es unter anderem auch noch in den USA, der Mongolei und Argentinien – doch das sind nicht die einzigen Regionen, die ein großes Potenzial für ein neues Miteinander von Mensch und Natur bieten. Räume gibt es glücklicherweise überall auf der Welt, manche klein, manche riesig, manche noch gut erhalten, manche warten darauf, dass die Natur zurück kommen darf. Ein riesiges Dankeschön an Stephanie Ward für wertvolle Hintergrundinfos, Vera Voronova und Albert Salemgareyev für die tiefen Einblicke in das Projekt und euer großartiges Engagement, die Zoologische Gesellschaft Frankfurt von 1858 e.V. und die ACBK — Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan. Und ein dickes Danke an Rudi Novotny von der ZEIT für die tolle Redaktion, sowie Daniel Rosengren und Alexander Sommer für die wundervollen Bilder! 🙏 #Biodiversität #Naturschutz #Kazakhstan #EarthshotPrize #Nachhaltigkeit #Graslandschaften #Artenschutz #Klimaresilienz #Umweltschutz https://lnkd.in/eVGhdgws

We are proud to announce that Vera Voronova, Executive Director of the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK), received the prestigious MIDORI Prize for her contributions to biodiversity conservation. This award, established by the AEON Foundation (Japan) in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), recognizes outstanding achievements in biodiversity protection. In her speech at the ceremony, Vera Voronova expressed her gratitude and hope for the future expansion of efforts to preserve biodiversity in the country:  “I am deeply moved by this recognition and thank the AEON Foundation and the Convention Secretariat for their support, which inspires me to scale up our conservation efforts in Kazakhstan. Although I am the face of our organization, these successes were made possible thanks to the work of my colleagues, whose unity and dedication to our common cause make our achievements possible.” Under Vera’s leadership, ACBK has significantly advanced in nature conservation through expanding protected areas, saiga migration studies, species reintroductions, anti-poaching initiatives, and environmental education programs.  In her speech, Vera Voronova emphasized ACBK's contributions to educational projects and youth engagement. ACBK continues to strengthen its focus on environmental education by developing new learning materials and distributing them to rural schools.  The ACBK program, “Students for Nature,” offers students field internships and career growth opportunities, which, according to Voronova, play a key role in preparing the next generation of nature conservation leaders.  “Back in 2007, I was one of the students who had the opportunity to participate in ACBK projects and gain experience in conducting research, managing projects, and writing publications. This part of our work is especially inspiring to me, as are the students who join us with enthusiasm to develop their professionalism in nature conservation,” she said. The MIDORI Prize highlights the significance of ACBK's work and its achievements in wildlife conservation, inspiring the entire team to continue their efforts to protect Kazakhstan’s biodiversity for future generations.

We are proud to announce that Vera Voronova, Executive Director of the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK), received the prestigious MIDORI Prize for her contributions to biodiversity conservation. This award, established by the AEON Foundation (Japan) in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), recognizes outstanding achievements in biodiversity protection. In her speech at the ceremony, Vera Voronova expressed her gratitude and hope for the future expansion of efforts to preserve biodiversity in the country:  “I am deeply moved by this recognition and thank the AEON Foundation and the Convention Secretariat for their support, which inspires me to scale up our conservation efforts in Kazakhstan. Although I am the face of our organization, these successes were made possible thanks to the work of my colleagues, whose unity and dedication to our common cause make our achievements possible.” Under Vera’s leadership, ACBK has significantly advanced in nature conservation through expanding protected areas, saiga migration studies, species reintroductions, anti-poaching initiatives, and environmental education programs.  In her speech, Vera Voronova emphasized ACBK's contributions to educational projects and youth engagement. ACBK continues to strengthen its focus on environmental education by developing new learning materials and distributing them to rural schools.  The ACBK program, “Students for Nature,” offers students field internships and career growth opportunities, which, according to Voronova, play a key role in preparing the next generation of nature conservation leaders.  “Back in 2007, I was one of the students who had the opportunity to participate in ACBK projects and gain experience in conducting research, managing projects, and writing publications. This part of our work is especially inspiring to me, as are the students who join us with enthusiasm to develop their professionalism in nature conservation,” she said. The MIDORI Prize highlights the significance of ACBK's work and its achievements in wildlife conservation, inspiring the entire team to continue their efforts to protect Kazakhstan’s biodiversity for future generations.

We recently finished filming a short film that’s not only beautiful but somehow manages to encapsulate the very heart of what we do - all credit to the brilliant teams at SILVERBACK FILMS and The Earthshot Prize. These few minutes of footage sum up the hundreds of hours spent in planning meetings, countless field exhibitions across wind-swept landscapes, and navigating both extreme weather and international negotiations. Every effort has been for one purpose: to protect and restore these vast, wild places. Places that, if we’re fortunate, will continue to flourish long after we’ve left them behind, for future generations to marvel at - and hopefully, take care of too.

Great news! The UN #GenerationRestoration Flagship Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative is a finalist for The Earthshot Prize for its work bringing 75 million hectares of Kazakhstan’s steppe back to life, rewilding iconic species like the saiga antelope and the world’s last wild horses. More on their work: https://lnkd.in/dGcuZe8A #GenerationRestoration

We're thrilled to share that the kulan population in the Torgai steppe has quadrupled! This October, our dedicated team successfully transported 24 wild-caught kulans from Altyn Emel National Park to their new home. The journey lasted 49 hours and covered 2,193 kilometres - making it amongst the longest ground transportation in the history of species reintroductions. After years of preparation and collaboration with experts from around the world, we employed innovative transportation methods to ensure the safe and stress-free movement of these native wild grazers. We are truly delighted to share that all kulans arrived healthy and ready to live out their days in their new habitat. But the good news doesn’t stop there - two wild-born foals have also been spotted in the Torgai steppe, marking the first recorded births in the region since the species’ extinction in the 1930s. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/e7jxrkbn Translocation partners: ACBK — Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan, Frankfurt Zoological Society / Zoologische Gesellschaft Frankfurt, Nuremberg Zoo, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Conservation Solutions