Neoneura carnatica is one of six endemic damselfly species in Cuba, found primarily in the western region’s pristine rivers and creeks. These habitats are rapidly declining due to human activities, and little is known about the species’ population, distribution, or ecology. Most known locations are outside protected areas, raising concerns about their survival.
Thanks to MBZ Fund, Ana María Hernández, researcher and professor at the Faculty of Biology of Havana University, and her team, are updating data on distribution and abundance as well as studying its ecology, including behaviour and habitat preferences using equipment to monitor environmental conditions that may threaten the species.
The researchers team fostered close collaboration with local communities and conservation specialists, transforming public awareness about this damselfly and encouraging commitment to its conservation. Protecting its habitat will be vital for the survival of many freshwater species. They hope that this project findings will inform management plans for the future of Neoneura carnatica.
Neoneura carnatica is one of six endemic damselfly species in Cuba, found primarily in the western region’s pristine rivers and creeks. These habitats are rapidly declining due to human activities, and little is known about the species’ population, distribution, or ecology. Most known locations are outside protected areas, raising concerns about their survival.
Thanks to MBZ Fund, Ana María Hernández, researcher and professor at the Faculty of Biology of Havana University, and her team, are updating data on distribution and abundance as well as studying its ecology, including behaviour and habitat preferences using equipment to monitor environmental conditions that may threaten the species.
The researchers team fostered close collaboration with local communities and conservation specialists, transforming public awareness about this damselfly and encouraging commitment to its conservation. Protecting its habitat will be vital for the survival of many freshwater species. They hope that this project findings will inform management plans for the future of Neoneura carnatica.
Fifteen years of the Fund wouldn’t have been possible without the passionate individuals dedicated to making a difference. One standout among them is our very first, numero uno, MBZF inaugural superstar employee, Salima Raai.
Salima, the heartbeat of the Fund, wears many hats and was there when we opened our doors. As a Grants Officer, she is our primary point of contact with grant recipients, while also serving as a government liaison, safety officer, administrator, and coordinator. To her colleagues, she is a beacon of kindness, always smiling, impeccably organised, and embodying a “can do” attitude—nothing is ever too much for her!
But who is Salima Raai really? Follow the link in our bio for the full interview as she talks candidly to her 13-year old niece, Mahra.
لم يكن بالإمكان استكمال 15 عاماً من عمر الصندوق لولا وجود أصحاب الشغف الذين كرّسوا أنفسهم لإحداث الفارق، ومن أبرز هؤلاء، سليمة راعي، أول موظفة في صندوق محمد بن زايد للمحافظة على الكائنات الحية والنجم الساطع في سمائه.
سليمة هي نبض الصندوق التي تتولى مسؤوليات متعددة، وكانت معنا منذ أن فتحنا أبوابنا. تتولى سليمة مسؤولية المنح، ولذا تعتبر نقطة الاتصال الرئيسية مع المستفيدين من هذه المنح، وهي أيضاً حلقة الوصل مع الجهات الحكومية، وضابط السلامة، والمشرف الإداري، والمنسق. بالنسبة لزملائها، هي منارة للأخلاق، ابتسامتها لا تفارق وجهها، منظمة على نحو رائع، تتجسد بها روح العزيمة والإصرار، كما يمكنها التغلب على جميع الصعوبات.
لكن، من تكون سليمة راعي حقًا؟ تابعوا الرابط الموجود في البايو لمشاهدة المقابلة بالكامل، حيث تتحدث بصراحة مع ابنة أختها مهره البالغة من العمر 13 عامًا.
Fifteen years of the Fund wouldn’t have been possible without the passionate individuals dedicated to making a difference. One standout among them is our very first, numero uno, MBZF inaugural superstar employee, Salima Raai.
Salima, the heartbeat of the Fund, wears many hats and was there when we opened our doors. As a Grants Officer, she is our primary point of contact with grant recipients, while also serving as a government liaison, safety officer, administrator, and coordinator. To her colleagues, she is a beacon of kindness, always smiling, impeccably organised, and embodying a “can do” attitude—nothing is ever too much for her!
But who is Salima Raai really? Follow the link in our bio for the full interview as she talks candidly to her 13-year old niece, Mahra.
لم يكن بالإمكان استكمال 15 عاماً من عمر الصندوق لولا وجود أصحاب الشغف الذين كرّسوا أنفسهم لإحداث الفارق، ومن أبرز هؤلاء، سليمة راعي، أول موظفة في صندوق محمد بن زايد للمحافظة على الكائنات الحية والنجم الساطع في سمائه.
سليمة هي نبض الصندوق التي تتولى مسؤوليات متعددة، وكانت معنا منذ أن فتحنا أبوابنا. تتولى سليمة مسؤولية المنح، ولذا تعتبر نقطة الاتصال الرئيسية مع المستفيدين من هذه المنح، وهي أيضاً حلقة الوصل مع الجهات الحكومية، وضابط السلامة، والمشرف الإداري، والمنسق. بالنسبة لزملائها، هي منارة للأخلاق، ابتسامتها لا تفارق وجهها، منظمة على نحو رائع، تتجسد بها روح العزيمة والإصرار، كما يمكنها التغلب على جميع الصعوبات.
لكن، من تكون سليمة راعي حقًا؟ تابعوا الرابط الموجود في البايو لمشاهدة المقابلة بالكامل، حيث تتحدث بصراحة مع ابنة أختها مهره البالغة من العمر 13 عامًا.
Wrapping up an inspiring week at #COP29! From championing nature-positive policies to advocating for indigenous-led conservation and gender-responsive climate finance, H.E. Razan Al Mubarak has been at the forefront of driving transformative change.
Highlights included powerful discussions on forests, resilience, and the indispensable role of the ocean in climate action. Together, let’s keep pushing for a sustainable, inclusive future for our planet.
Swipe to see the week’s highlights!
نختتم أسبوعًا ملهمًا في مؤتمر الأطراف كوب 29. وقد كانت سعادة رزان المبارك رائدة في تعزيز العمل المناخي، حيث قدمت سياسات داعمة للطبيعة ومناصرة لجهود المجتمعات الأصلية في الحفاظ على الأنواع وتمويل المناخ المستجيب لاحتياجات الجنسين.
شملت الفقرات الأساسية مناقشات حول الغابات والمرونة والدور الحاسم للمحيطات في العمل المناخي. لنواصل العمل معًا من أجل مستقبل مستدام وشمولي لكوكبنا.
Wrapping up an inspiring week at #COP29! From championing nature-positive policies to advocating for indigenous-led conservation and gender-responsive climate finance, H.E. Razan Al Mubarak has been at the forefront of driving transformative change.
Highlights included powerful discussions on forests, resilience, and the indispensable role of the ocean in climate action. Together, let’s keep pushing for a sustainable, inclusive future for our planet.
Swipe to see the week’s highlights!
نختتم أسبوعًا ملهمًا في مؤتمر الأطراف كوب 29. وقد كانت سعادة رزان المبارك رائدة في تعزيز العمل المناخي، حيث قدمت سياسات داعمة للطبيعة ومناصرة لجهود المجتمعات الأصلية في الحفاظ على الأنواع وتمويل المناخ المستجيب لاحتياجات الجنسين.
شملت الفقرات الأساسية مناقشات حول الغابات والمرونة والدور الحاسم للمحيطات في العمل المناخي. لنواصل العمل معًا من أجل مستقبل مستدام وشمولي لكوكبنا.
The concept of “From the UAE to the Rest of the World” plays a vital role in our conservation success. With over 2,800 projects supported in more than 170 countries, our commitment to creating a better world truly stems from the United Arab Emirates.
To celebrate our local commitment to conservation, our podcast team were excited to tell the story of a project supported by the Fund right here in the UAE.
Join Park Ranger Sami Majeed and our Repton podcast crew for a delightful blend of humour and owl-mazing facts!
To listen to the episode, follow the link in @speciesconservationfund bio
P.S. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share our Conservation Calls podcast. Your support would be truly amazing!
The concept of “From the UAE to the Rest of the World” plays a vital role in our conservation success. With over 2,800 projects supported in more than 170 countries, our commitment to creating a better world truly stems from the United Arab Emirates.
To celebrate our local commitment to conservation, our podcast team were excited to tell the story of a project supported by the Fund right here in the UAE.
Join Park Ranger Sami Majeed and our Repton podcast crew for a delightful blend of humour and owl-mazing facts!
To listen to the episode, follow the link in @speciesconservationfund bio
P.S. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share our Conservation Calls podcast. Your support would be truly amazing!
At our recent 15-year celebration dinner, Maya Korayem, our master of talent and workplace culture, captivated the audience with her moving poem titled “If the Fund Had a Voice.”
This heartfelt reading was the perfect way to launch our November newsletter and reflect on our journey over the past decade and a half. This edition is packed with exciting stories, including an interview with our first employee, our podcast about a local grant and an insightful 15-year report about the Fund, among others.
We hope this newsletter inspires you as much as it has helped us reflect on our achievements. Please note: listening to the poem may evoke tears—tears of sadness that ultimately lead to joy and inspiration.
To read the newsletter, access the link in our bio.
خلال عشاء احتفالنا بمرور 15 عامًا، ألقت مايا كريّم، خبيرة المواهب وثقافة العمل لدينا، قصيدة مؤثرة بعنوان ‘لو كان للصندوق صوت.’
كانت طريقة إلقائها المؤثرة هي الطريقة المثالية لإطلاق نشرتنا الإخبارية لشهر نوفمبر، ولإطلاق العنان لأنفسنا للتأمل في رحلتنا على مدار عقد ونصف من الزمن. تضم هذه النسخة العديد من القصص الشيّقة، منها مقابلة مع أول موظفة لدينا، وحلقة من البودكاست حول منحة محلية، بالإضافة إلى تقرير شامل عن الصندوق يغطي مسيرتنا خلال 15 عامًا، وغير ذلك الكثير.
نأمل أن تلهمكم هذه النشرة كما ألهمتنا نحن خلال تأملنا في إنجازاتنا. كما نود التنويه إلى أن الاستماع إلى القصيدة قد يجري الدموع من مآقيها – دموع الحزن التي تقود في النهاية إلى الفرح والإلهام.
يمكنكم الوصول إلى النشرة الإخبارية عبر الرابط الموجود في البايو
At our recent 15-year celebration dinner, Maya Korayem, our master of talent and workplace culture, captivated the audience with her moving poem titled “If the Fund Had a Voice.”
This heartfelt reading was the perfect way to launch our November newsletter and reflect on our journey over the past decade and a half. This edition is packed with exciting stories, including an interview with our first employee, our podcast about a local grant and an insightful 15-year report about the Fund, among others.
We hope this newsletter inspires you as much as it has helped us reflect on our achievements. Please note: listening to the poem may evoke tears—tears of sadness that ultimately lead to joy and inspiration.
To read the newsletter, access the link in our bio.
خلال عشاء احتفالنا بمرور 15 عامًا، ألقت مايا كريّم، خبيرة المواهب وثقافة العمل لدينا، قصيدة مؤثرة بعنوان ‘لو كان للصندوق صوت.’
كانت طريقة إلقائها المؤثرة هي الطريقة المثالية لإطلاق نشرتنا الإخبارية لشهر نوفمبر، ولإطلاق العنان لأنفسنا للتأمل في رحلتنا على مدار عقد ونصف من الزمن. تضم هذه النسخة العديد من القصص الشيّقة، منها مقابلة مع أول موظفة لدينا، وحلقة من البودكاست حول منحة محلية، بالإضافة إلى تقرير شامل عن الصندوق يغطي مسيرتنا خلال 15 عامًا، وغير ذلك الكثير.
نأمل أن تلهمكم هذه النشرة كما ألهمتنا نحن خلال تأملنا في إنجازاتنا. كما نود التنويه إلى أن الاستماع إلى القصيدة قد يجري الدموع من مآقيها – دموع الحزن التي تقود في النهاية إلى الفرح والإلهام.
يمكنكم الوصول إلى النشرة الإخبارية عبر الرابط الموجود في البايو
The Golden langur population in Kokrajhar, Assam, makes up about 14% of India’s total population. However, habitat fragmentation due to deforestation and infrastructure development has isolated these beautiful creatures, increasing their risk of extinction.
A recent study by Dr. Jihosuo Biswas & his team revealed that in State Highway -14 which bisect Chakrashila WLS_Amguri RF-Baxamara RF population from Nayekgaon PRF-Nadangiri RF population, 71% times or instances , Golden langurs opt for ground movement to crossroads, risking collision with oncoming traffic. Between June 2022 and February 2024, 17 road incidents resulted in 6 fatalities and several injuries.
To combat this, in 2023 Dr. Biswas & his team initiated the installation of artificial canopy bridges along State Highway-14 with the support from the MBZ Fund. Using bamboo to acclimate the langurs, they’ve transitioned to mixed bamboo-rope and pipe bridges and ladder bridges for durability. The langurs are gradually using these crossings, reducing road mishaps!
The Golden langur population in Kokrajhar, Assam, makes up about 14% of India’s total population. However, habitat fragmentation due to deforestation and infrastructure development has isolated these beautiful creatures, increasing their risk of extinction.
A recent study by Dr. Jihosuo Biswas & his team revealed that in State Highway -14 which bisect Chakrashila WLS_Amguri RF-Baxamara RF population from Nayekgaon PRF-Nadangiri RF population, 71% times or instances , Golden langurs opt for ground movement to crossroads, risking collision with oncoming traffic. Between June 2022 and February 2024, 17 road incidents resulted in 6 fatalities and several injuries.
To combat this, in 2023 Dr. Biswas & his team initiated the installation of artificial canopy bridges along State Highway-14 with the support from the MBZ Fund. Using bamboo to acclimate the langurs, they’ve transitioned to mixed bamboo-rope and pipe bridges and ladder bridges for durability. The langurs are gradually using these crossings, reducing road mishaps!
Thanks to the generous support of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, the University of Cauca are embarking on the first steps toward conserving the Colombian black oak (Trigonobalanus excelsa) in the Colombian Massif. With our support, they are actively monitoring this endangered species in the municipality of Palestina, Huila, Colombia.
Another big part of the project is to educate the community, particularly children from the Palestina Educational Institution, to develop effective community conservation strategies. This collaborative effort will be crucial in safeguarding one of the most endangered tree species in Colombia.
Great work, and it’s inspiring to see an educational institution and its students taking the lead in such an important conservation initiative!
Thanks to the generous support of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, the University of Cauca are embarking on the first steps toward conserving the Colombian black oak (Trigonobalanus excelsa) in the Colombian Massif. With our support, they are actively monitoring this endangered species in the municipality of Palestina, Huila, Colombia.
Another big part of the project is to educate the community, particularly children from the Palestina Educational Institution, to develop effective community conservation strategies. This collaborative effort will be crucial in safeguarding one of the most endangered tree species in Colombia.
Great work, and it’s inspiring to see an educational institution and its students taking the lead in such an important conservation initiative!
The congregating fireflies of the genus Pteroptyx in Southeast Asia are famous for their stunning synchronous flashing displays, captivating both scientists and the public. This behaviour has sparked interest in their synchronicity and potential as flagship species for ecotourism and conservation.
Recent assessments by the IUCN SSC Firefly Specialist Group have classified four species—Comtesse’s firefly (Pteroptyx bearni), Synchronous bent-winged firefly (Pteroptyx malaccae), Perfect synchronous flashing firefly (Pteroptyx tener), and Non-synchronous bent-winged firefly (Pteroptyx valida)—as vulnerable, highlighting their significant risk of extinction.
With support from the MBZF, the Firefly Specialist Group launched a conservation initiative in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo to evaluate mangrove river systems and assess the status of these firefly species. This funding has facilitated essential research, field expeditions, and training opportunities. By gathering data on these bioluminescent insects and their habitats, the group aims to develop a comprehensive national firefly conservation plan for Malaysia, paving the way for a brighter future for these remarkable insects.
The congregating fireflies of the genus Pteroptyx in Southeast Asia are famous for their stunning synchronous flashing displays, captivating both scientists and the public. This behaviour has sparked interest in their synchronicity and potential as flagship species for ecotourism and conservation.
Recent assessments by the IUCN SSC Firefly Specialist Group have classified four species—Comtesse’s firefly (Pteroptyx bearni), Synchronous bent-winged firefly (Pteroptyx malaccae), Perfect synchronous flashing firefly (Pteroptyx tener), and Non-synchronous bent-winged firefly (Pteroptyx valida)—as vulnerable, highlighting their significant risk of extinction.
With support from the MBZF, the Firefly Specialist Group launched a conservation initiative in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo to evaluate mangrove river systems and assess the status of these firefly species. This funding has facilitated essential research, field expeditions, and training opportunities. By gathering data on these bioluminescent insects and their habitats, the group aims to develop a comprehensive national firefly conservation plan for Malaysia, paving the way for a brighter future for these remarkable insects.