2023 Sir Charles Blois Explorer SERGIO NOLAZCO PLASIER – EXPLORING SINCHIMARKA

Sergio is an ecologist with a passion for wildlife and remote exploration. He has conducted scientific research in South America and Australia and biodiversity surveys throughout much of the Peruvian Andes.

Sergio’s expedition is the first comprehensive scientific exploration of the Sinchimarka forest, an exceptionally well-preserved and remote high-altitude Andean Forest. This remnant forest is home to Polylepis, a tree species that is specialised to grow to nearly 5000masl, higher than any other tree species on Earth, and was home to the Pre-Columbian Sinchimarkan community, harbouring unique biodiversity and archaeological assets. A team of researchers will assess the dynamics of its biodiversity through seasons, search for new species, and document the cultural knowledge that has survived through centuries of colonialism.

Supported by Sir Charles Blois

2023 Elodie Sandford Explorer REZA SAPUTRA – BIRD'S HEAD PENINSULA ORCHIDS

Reza works as a Forest Ecosystem Specialist and lives in the first conservation province in the world, ie West Papua, Indonesia. His research is focused on the conservation of orchid species, often involved with fundamental-for-conservation research such as taxonomy, conservation assessment, ecology and in-situ conservation areas management. He has published several books and scientific articles on the diversity and conservation of plants, particularly orchids.

Reza's expedition will explore the centre of the Bird’s Head New Guinea pristine forest, the western slope of Mts. South Tamrau Nature Reserve, never explored by botanists or naturalists. Reza will be photographing orchids and their habitat, as well as preserving material for herbarium samples, in order to write species descriptions and illustrations for the ‘Orchids of Bird's Head Peninsula’ book project.

Supported by friends and family of Elodie Sandford

2023 Judith Heath Explorer DEWI LESTARI  – RAFFLESIA EXPEDITION

Dewi is a botanist and junior researcher at The Research Centre for Plant Conservation, Botanic Gardens, and Forestry BRIN (National Research and Innovation Agency) Indonesia. Dewi has participated in expeditions to study Indonesian biodiversity in Java, Bali, Sumatra, and Kalimantan Islands.

Dewi’s expedition will be carried out in Teluk Sumbang, Berau, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, a remote and barely accessible area reported as a new habitat for Rafflesia. The team will work closely with local communities to enable knowledge-sharing initiatives. The expedition objectives are to confirm the Rafflesia species, investigate the population and ecological habitat, ethnobotany, and social data of the surrounding people, collect samples and specimens for further study, and conduct ex-situ conservation research on this species in Purwodadi Botanic Garden.

Supported by and in memory of Judith Heath

2023 Neville Shulman Explorer NATALIE KNOWLES – KAYAPO DEFENDERS OF THE AMAZON

Nat is a Canadian conservationist with a background in anthropology, geography, and ecology, and a passion for remote wild landscapes and the diverse cultures of the world. Nat uses participatory research to address the root causes of deforestation, resource extraction, climate change and biodiversity loss and push the boundaries of scientific thinking to include diverse knowledges.

Nat's expedition will work with the Kayapo Indigenous communities of the Xingu River. Kayapo communities have defended their 10.5 million hectares of pristine Amazon rainforest from rampant deforestation for generations. This expedition will engage Kayapo youth citizen-scientists in remote wildlife monitoring and participatory video to enhance community-based conservation and document the importance of traditional Kayapo knowledge, culture, governance and lifestyles for large-scale conservation.

Supported by Neville Shulman CBE

2023 SES Explorer SARAH TUBBS – CONSERVING CAMBODIAN CETACEANS

Sarah is a marine mammal researcher and conservationist focused on answering key ecological questions to inform conservation policy in developing counties. She is currently a first-year PhD student at Newcastle University, as well as the Co-Founder of NGO Khmer Ocean Life.

Sarah’s expedition will fill baseline knowledge gaps on population sizes and distribution of Cambodia’s endangered and heavily threatened cetacean species, the lack of which hinders effective conservation action. During this 10-week expedition, local research assistants will be trained, and boat surveys will be conducted throughout the full coastline. Sarah will work in close collaboration with local NGOs, students, and the Cambodian Fisheries Administration throughout the project. Ultimately, findings will be used by resource managers to help shape effective management strategies.

Supported by Rowan Bentall Charitable Trust, O’Hea Charitable Trust, Avocet Insurance Consultants, and Pam Coleridge Family