The Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), a London-based nonprofit backed by Sir David Attenborough, will host a one-day summit with world renowned conservationists on Wednesday, 8 October, 1:00 – 8:30 pm, at London’s Royal Institution to highlight solutions to protect and restore nature.

At this critical juncture for biodiversity, the summit will convene leaders in science, finance and technology, including Google DeepMind’s Nature Lead, Dr Drew Purves.

For Immediate Release
Whitley Fund for Nature Announces 8 October Summit with Top Conservationists, Leaders from Google DeepMind, Kew, ICARUS, THE HERDS
London, 10 Sept: The Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), a London-based nonprofit backed by Sir David Attenborough, will host a one-day summit with world renowned conservationists on Wednesday, 8 October, 1:00 – 8:30 pm, at London’s Royal Institution to highlight solutions to protect and restore nature.

At this critical juncture for biodiversity, the summit will convene leaders in science, finance and technology, including Google DeepMind’s Nature Lead, Dr Drew Purves.

HIGH-RES IMAGES AVAILABLE HERE

Timed ahead of the milestone COP30 in the Amazon in Brazil, the summit will open with a discussion on the future of rainforests with Professor Alexandre Antonelli, Executive Director of Science at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, who will make the connection between nature and climate. He will be joined by conservationists from two globally significant tropical rainforests: Colombia’s Dr Fernando Trujillo, based in the Amazon, and Farwiza Farhan, who works in Indonesia’s Leuser Ecosystem.

Scientists estimate that between 25 and 85 percent of all species are now in the process of relocating. Warming temperatures are driving species towards the poles and species are moving towards higher elevations. A flagship talk with conservationists will focus on how species are adapting to our changing planet, from leopards and raptors to river dolphins and sharks.

In the face of unprecedented declines in nature, new technologies are opening new frontiers in conservation. Professor Martin Wikelski of the ICARUS Project, will discuss how tracking thousands of species from space using tiny AI sensors will help conservation. The “Internet of Animals” will deepen our understanding of species’ behaviour and their response to challenges, including climate change. Google DeepMind’s Dr. Drew Purves will explain how AI is helping to map the biosphere to better identify which areas of the world need the most protection.
TURNING THE TIDE

The summit will conclude with ‘Turning the Tide: the stories that inspire change’, an evening of storytelling from 7:00 pm with award-winning conservationists and members of THE HERDS. The theatrical production of animal puppets recently walked through London, on a 20,000 km journey from central Africa to the Arctic to engage climate change engagement. Amir Nizar Zuabi, Artistic Director will explain how thinking differently can help us to imagine a new relationship with nature.

Colombia’s Dr Fernando Trujillo, based in the Amazon, who led on an 11-country agreement to protect river dolphins. Fernando is the founder of the NGO, Omacha Foundation.
Indonesia’s Farwiza Farhan whose legal action against palm oil companies illegally burning the forest resulted in fines of as much as $26 million. Bill Gates says her work makes him “optimistic for our future.” Farwiza is founder of Yayasan HAkA.
Belize’s Dr Rachel Graham who masterminded the first shark “superhighway” linking Mexico’s newly protected Quintana Roo coast to Belize’s 15 marine protected areas. Rachel is the founder of NGO MarAlliance.
Kenya’s Dr Munir Virani, a world leading expert in raptors whose TED talk “Why I Love Vultures” has had more than one million views.