In the sweltering forests of northeastern Brazil, a once-forgotten parrot has reclaimed the skies. Thousands of miles away in Assam, India, young girls don giant bird-themed headgear and dance in celebration of a rare stork once driven to the brink of extinction. These vivid scenes are bound by a common thread: the tireless work of a global network of early-career conservationists whose journeys were launched by one quiet revolution in biodiversity conservation — the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP).
Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, the CLP stands as a beacon of hope in the face of environmental loss. Born in 1985 from a partnership between BirdLife International, Fauna & Flora, and the Wildlife Conservation Society, the programme was built on a radical premise: invest in people, not just projects. Today, that idea has blossomed into a thriving community of over 4,500 conservation leaders in more than 100 countries, influencing policies, protecting habitats, and giving endangered species a fighting chance.
A Legacy Rooted in Local Action
When it began, the CLP sought to fill a critical gap: young conservationists working in biodiverse, low-resource regions often lacked access to the tools, mentorship, and networks needed to succeed. By offering seed funding, technical training, and long-term support, CLP helped emerging leaders launch their first projects—and in many cases, entire careers.
“CLP nurtures conservationists during their careers to the point where their work is achieving real impact on the ground and recognition at a national and international level,” says Purnima Devi Barman, a CLP awardee whose community-led campaign to save the Greater Adjutant Stork transformed a feared scavenger into a symbol of local pride. This year, her decades-long efforts earned her a spot on Time Magazine’s 2025 Women of the Year list.
Rewriting the Fate of the Grey-breasted Parakeet
Few stories better illustrate the CLP’s long-term impact than that of the Grey-breasted Parakeet. Once considered nearly extinct in Brazil, its fate turned around in 2012 when a CLP-supported team led by Fábio Nunes rediscovered a small remnant population and launched a full-scale rescue mission.
With community engagement at its heart, the project installed artificial nests and trained local residents to monitor and protect them. Over the next decade, the population exploded—from just three fledglings in 2010 to over 1,165 by 2020. In a historic milestone, the IUCN downgraded the species from Critically Endangered to Endangered, a rare success in the conservation world.
The project also sparked structural change: a formal government action plan, the creation of Private Protected Areas, and the establishment of the Grey-breasted Parakeet Wildlife Refuge. It wasn’t just a victory for one bird—it was a blueprint for community-driven conservation.
Seeds That Sprout Movements
From the Araripe Manakin in Brazil to shorebirds in the coastal lagoons of South America, CLP-supported projects share a powerful thread: they start small, but grow deep roots. Alberto Campos, whose team won CLP awards in 2004, 2007, and 2010, recalls how the Manakin went from obscurity to cultural icon. “This endemic bird became a source of pride, and a tremendous messenger to promote wildlife and water conservation,” he said.
Indeed, the ripple effects of CLP go far beyond bird species. Its alumni have founded 126 NGOs, influenced national and international policy, and cultivated a culture of environmental stewardship where it was once scarce.
A Vision for the Next 40 Years
As the planet faces unprecedented environmental challenges, from mass species extinction to climate-induced displacement, the CLP remains one of the rare initiatives actively creating the conservation leaders of tomorrow. Its focus on inclusion, mentorship, and grassroots empowerment positions it as a vital force for lasting change.
Dr. Karla G. Hernandez-Aguilar, CLP’s Senior Programme Officer, reflects on the importance of the next chapter: “We want to ensure that anyone, anywhere, with the passion and potential to lead conservation efforts can access the support they need—regardless of background or resources.”
This mission comes with a renewed urgency. As ecosystems collapse and funding streams narrow, supporting local conservation leaders isn’t just strategic—it’s essential. The CLP’s 40-year record proves that when people are empowered, nature recovers.
A Global Partnership with a Human Heart
At its core, CLP is a testament to what can happen when institutions believe in young people and communities. BirdLife International, as a founding partner, has helped steward this journey from its inception, reinforcing the message that lasting conservation starts with people.
As we mark this milestone, the CLP offers not just stories of success, but a call to action: to invest in the stewards of tomorrow, support grassroots innovation, and believe in the quiet power of mentorship and trust. Because in conservation—as in life—small beginnings can lead to great transformations.
