Land Acquisition Fund ambassador Arjan Dwarshuis supports nature

Did you know that world record holder in bird watching Arjan Dwarshuis is ambassador for the Land Acquisition Fund? The bird expert is also an important donor. Through his birding excursions in the Netherlands, Arjan has raised over 9,000 euros to support the work of our partner organisations, from Iraq to Bolivia. The Land Acquisition Fund ambassador wants to contribute to put a halt to the biodiversity crisis. ‘Securing ecosystems is the most important way to stop this wave of extinction,’ says Arjan.

Header photo: birding expert Arjan Dwarshuis © Friso Boven

Contributing to nature conservation and restoration

Arjan likes to share his knowledge and enthusiasm with others. He regularly organises group excursions for bird lovers at various locations in the Netherlands, after which he donates five euros per participant to the Land Acquisition Fund. In consultation with the birding expert, these donations support a partner organisation from our extensive network in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe.  

‘In the last 1,000 years, more than 1,500 bird species have gone extinct at the hands of humans. That’s one in nine of all bird species. If we are not careful, this will become many more in the next decades. Securing ecosystems is the most important way to halt this wave of extinction, and safeguarding land strategically plays a key role. That is why I am committed to being an ambassador for the IUCN NL Land Acquisition Fund,’ shares Arjan.

Nature projects from Iraq to Bolivia

The partners of the Land Acquisition Fund are local conservation NGOs working to secure habitat for vulnerable and endangered species. They always do this in collaboration with the communities, who often depend on nature in the area.

Arjan’s donations have contributed to the important work of our partners in multiple ways. Partly because of his donation, Leopards Beyond Borders was able to make a powerful start to protecting the rare Persian leopard in Iraqi-Kurdistan. Asociación Armonia was able to strengthen their work with birds in Bolivia’s Barba Azul Reserve. And in the forests of Ecuador’s El Chocó, Proyecto Washu received an additional contribution to protect primates and other species, in close collaboration with the local communities. In addition, Arjan donated to projects in Panama, Indonesia and Brazil, among others.

‘Finding the most enthusiastic people safeguarding habitat while working with local communities in places where they make a real difference is what makes the Land Acquisition Fund stand out. We are very happy with the work of Arjan, whose enthusiasm makes an important contribution to this,’ says Marc Hoogeslag, coordinator of the fund.

‘In the last 1,000 years, more than 1,500 bird species have gone extinct at the hands of humans. That’s one in nine of all bird species. If we are not careful, this will become many more in the next decades.’

• Arjan Dwarshuis, ambassador to the Land Acquisition Fund

Land Acquisition Fund ambassador

In August 2020, Arjan became an ambassador for the IUCN NL Land Acquisition Fund. Since then, he has shared the importance of securing habitat for endangered species in many ways. Last year, for instance, he presented at TEDxHaarlem, he connected us with the  Fietsende Vogelaar and he organised a trip with SPN Natuurreizen, with all travellers donating to the fund. Arjan also contributed to the initiative of Bird Brewery, a young brewery that donated 5,000 euros to expand the Mesenia-Paramillo Nature Reserve in Colombia.

In order to view this movie you have to accept ‘Social media and advertising’ cookies. Click here to change your cookie settings.

Fascinated by birds

Since childhood, Arjan Dwarshuis has been fascinated by birds. As soon as he could read his parents gave him his first bird book and he learned to recognise the birds in his backyard. Meanwhile, Arjan has become a great advocate of nature conservation both at home and abroad. Besides his well-known podcast series De Vogelspotcast, he has written several books, is a nature photographer and regularly shares his knowledge on radio and television. Last year, Arjan published his first children’s book. A sequel will be published in 2025.

About the Land Acquisition Fund

The main threats to biodiversity in the world are the loss, fragmentation and degradation of natural habitats. Nature is the basis for all life on Earth and we need to save what is left. The IUCN NL Land Acquisition Fund therefore supports NGOs around the world to secure, protect and connect nature.