Yemisi Fawibe

I consider myself a bridge between connecting global priorities with local on-the-ground conservation efforts. I have eight years of experience in wildlife conservation research, policy and advocacy, with a focus on safeguarding critical migratory bird habitats and halting wildlife crime across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. My work bridges science,

policy, and law, connecting local on-the-ground conservation with global MEAs. I currently conduct independent research,

support and facilitate access to technical and financial resources for twenty-two (22) partners to deploy urgent actions to protect sites along the African-Eurasian Flyway and Central Asian Flyway. My track record of engaging the highest levels of government and being able to engage farmers, traditional healers, women and children uniquely positions me in key negotiations for the protection of critical sites and biodiversity.

I am committed to contributing to the United Kingdom’s 30 x 30 commitment- conserving 30% of the world's land and oceans by 2030 by contributing to effective policy research & development, engaging diverse stakeholders, and advocating for community-driven conservation efforts both within its borders and internationally.

I prioritize community engagement and stakeholder participation in policy formulation, negotiating and influencing MEA processes, ensuring that well-intentioned policies are not only articulated but also effectively put into action to achieve tangible results in tackling illegal wildlife trade, halting, and reversing biodiversity loss, for the benefit of Nature and People. I am your ideal team player.

Leading emergency casework related to government commitments under MEAs to safeguard key sites and landscapes experiencing urgent and serious threats to migratory birds (e.g., airport development, soda-ash mining) in priority sites,

through independent research and partner support.

• Leading the triage process and review of casework proposals of twenty-two (22) partners/countries across Africa,

Asia, Europe, Middle East and Americas requiring funds to implement urgent emergency action, to stop threats to key sites along the African Eurasian Flyway and Central Asian Flyway. Funded by the Ecological Restoration Fund

(ERF) and the Luc Hoffmann Flyway Fund (£250,000). Actively providing research, technical and policy support to the regional teams.

• Recent wins from supporting casework: South African Government imposed a no-fishing ban in breeding sites for African Penguins and Tanzania Government halted plans for Soda Ash mining in Lake Natron, an important site for Lesser Flamingos.
• Coordinate partner engagement in development control processes and assessments, including the use of

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) or Strategic Environmental (SEA), the Integrated Biodiversity

Assessment Tool (IBAT) and other sensitivity mapping tools.

• Co-developed policy positions related to site-based conservation, OECMs and Flyways for the recently concluded

Ramsar COP 15, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

• Coordination of the Global Flyways Policy Expert Working Group to facilitate cross-regional dialogues, exchange of knowledge and cooperation on casework. The policy group was established in 2024 with thirty-four (34)

participants. Now, one hundred and fifteen (115) participants and six (6) sessions strong and still growing,

supporting the delivery of policy and advocacy components including through international mechanisms such as the

Ramsar Convention, Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), World Heritage and AEWA.

• BirdLife’s Rep on the KBA Red Flag Working Group. A platform to discuss strategic policy responses, policy advocacy and crisis communication strategies that protect KBAs and important sites.
• Currently developing the Practical Site Casework Guidance document with case-studies for partners who are currently leveraging key policy advocacy tools and other methodologies to deliver action for sites under threat and for future sites case work.
• Currently co-planning an Advocacy Workshop for Asian Partne

• MSc Wildlife Conservation, University of Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom (2023)