IUCN Species Survival Commission and Future For Nature create new opportunities for young conservation leaders

Future For Nature supports young, talented, and ambitious nature conservationists committed to protecting wild species. Through a new partnership with the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC), Future For Nature awardees will now be eligible for automatic nomination by the IUCN SSC Chair to join relevant taxonomic or thematic specialist groups, as well as the SSC Young Professional Task Force. This partnership was announced on stage during the 2026 Future For Nature Awards ceremony, held in Arnhem, the Netherlands, on May 8 2026.

“We aim to create a pathway for exceptional young conservationists to join the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC). Award bodies & programmes such as Future For Nature identify impactful conservation leaders through rigorous and extremely competitive processes. Their laureates have demonstrated sustained, credible contributions to conservation. Through this partnership we are offering them a pathway to engage directly and immediately to species conservation efforts" said Vivek Menon, Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission.

This year, from a pool of over three hundred fifty international candidates, three young leaders in nature conservation have been awarded with the Future For Nature Awards.

• Dayana Blanco (Bolivia). Mobilized her community to restore Lake Uru Uru and protect Chilean, Andean, and James’s flamingos among other species, through conservation efforts grounded in indigenous knowledge and community led action

• Olabisi Atofarati (Nigeria). Is safeguarding Nigeria’s endemic freshwater Scheeli killifish from overharvesting and extinction. Her work combines scientific conservation with community engagement in the cross-river region.

• Marina Kameni (Cameroon). By working closely together with local communities, she raises awareness about the importance of amphibian and reptile conservation while fostering sustainable practices in Mount Manengouba.

“Future For Nature has entered into an exciting new partnership with the IUCN Species Survival Commission, creating new opportunities for Future For Nature winners to connect with a global network of leading scientists and conservationists. The partnership will open doors for collaboration, mentorship, and greater impact in species conservation worldwide. At the same time, it brings fresh energy, new perspectives, and young leadership into the IUCN SSC Specialist Groups, strengthening conservation efforts through innovative ideas and the voices of a new generation” said Rascha Nuijten, director of the Future For Nature Foundation.

“This great initiative presents exciting opportunities for young professionals in conservation. It ensures that they get involved with other conservation practitioners at large and are able to partake of intergenerational mentoring. Their interactions with other members of the Young Professional Task Force would also provide an example of achievements in the field that are possible.” said Ibukunoluwa Balogun, co-chair of the IUCN SSC Young Professional Impact Task Force.

The partnership is also extending this opportunity to previous Future for Nature winners who are still under the age of 35 or qualify within the Young Professional category.