2004 BP Conservation Programme winners pave the way for protectin...( Twenty-nine young teams working on a ra...)

These future environmental leaders will be in the UK from 27th May until 17th June to share ideas and experiences with one another and to learn from a range of global conservation experts at a series of practical workshops. The annual awards aim to address global conservation priorities at a local level by assisting and encouraging student-led teams of young people who are undertaking important conservation projects globally.

The BP Conservation Programme is a partnership between BP, BirdLife International, Fauna & Flora International, Conservation International and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

In line with this year's World Environment Day theme, Wanted! Seas and Oceans: Dead or Alive?, several of this year's winning projects are focusing on marine issues, ranging from the conservation of critically endangered Dugong in Mozambique, to the protection of threatened and commercially important reef fish in the Abrolhos Bank of Brazil, to the conservation of endangered rare corals in the Marshall Islands.

Some teams will map their research areas, highlighting key areas for protection and restoration, while others will be working in regions already identified as highest priority ('critical') for conservation in order to protect some of the most highly endangered species on the planet.

From 27th May until 17th June, representatives from the 29 winning teams will attend three weeks of practical training workshops, run in collaboration with the Expedition Advisory Centre of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) in London and the Field Studies Council in Snowdonia, Wales.

Winners will learn about biological monitoring and surveying techniques, conservation educat
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Contact: Marianne Dunn
dunnm22@bp.com
44-0-781-126-6585
Conservation International
5-Jun-2004