The Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative is one of just 15 prestigious finalists in The Earthshot Prize 2024.
Launched by Prince William and Sir David Attenborough in 2020, this is a global award that rewards game-changing innovations that will help us repair our planet.
Altyn Dala covers over 75 million hectares, a vast area – about the size of Turkey. The initiative seeks to create and expand protected areas, restore threatened species’ populations, address illegal wildlife trade, and provide professional training and public education.
It is a long-term collaborative conservation initiative between the Government of Kazakhstan, the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK), the RSPB, Fauna & Flora, and the Frankfurt Zoological Society.
Founded almost 20 years ago, the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative began in response to the plight of Saiga Antelopes. Classed as ‘Critically Endangered’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Saiga Antelopes were down to fewer than 40,000 across Kazakhstan. But thanks to almost 20 years of conservation efforts through the partnership, there are now over 2.8 million Saiga Antelope across the country. In 2023, the IUCN improved their status by three categories, from ‘Critically Endangered’ to ‘Near Threatened’.
This represents one of the most dramatic recoveries of a mammal ever recorded. It’s thanks to the efforts of many dedicated conservationists and supporters – including RSPB members – that this work has been possible.
Altyn Dala partners are also working to revive a series of other priority threatened species, including Steppe Eagles, Sociable Lapwings, Kulan (wild ass) and Przewalski’s Horses. The initiative also provides jobs for local people, and through research, training, and education enhances the understanding of the unique habitats, flora and fauna found in Kazakhstan.
Altyn Dala’s place in the final is in recognition of the initiative’s efforts since 2005 to conserve and restore the ecosystems of the ancient Kazakh steppe, wetlands, and deserts for the benefit of Saiga Antelope and other globally important wildlife.
RSPB Global Conservation Director Katie-jo Luxton said:
We are delighted to learn that the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative has been recognised by The Earthshot Prize 2024 for our collective action to protect and restore the ecosystem, and the wildlife found within it, across the Kazakh Steppe. With nature in crisis across the globe, this nomination recognises just what can be achieved when governments and civil society organisations come together at the scale needed to create lasting positive impacts for nature, climate and people.”
Today’s announcement follows the recognition of Altyn Dala in 2022 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as one of only 10 World Restoration Flagships. Last year, the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration subsequently nominated Altyn Dala to be considered for The Earthshot Prize.
This year, The Earthshot Prize received a record-breaking 2,429 nominees. A total of 15 finalists across five categories were selected from these. Altyn Dala is a finalist in the ‘Protect and restore nature’ category of The Earthshot Prize. Other categories include ‘Clean Our Air’, ‘Revive Our Oceans’, ‘Build a Waste-free World’ and ‘Fix Our Climate’.
As part of the Earthshot Fellowship Programme, each Finalist will receive dedicated mentorship, resources, and technical support, including access to The Prize’s Global Alliance of Partners, a robust network of the world’s largest businesses, donors, investors and environmental organizations committed to climate action.
The winners of The Earthshot Prize will be announced in November 2024, and one winner from each category will be awarded £1 million to further their work.
We wish all finalists the best of luck!
