The ceremony recognised the role of organisations and professionals in the field of biodiversity dissemination, research and conservation
The awards went to the Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC), the doctor in Biology Xavier Ferrer Parareda, the doctor in Veterinary Sciences Antoni Ramis and the journalist and disseminator Cori Calero López
The special award for work in dissemination was also awarded posthumously to the journalist Mària Sánchez Ledesma
The Barcelona Zoo Foundation held the second edition of Biodiversity Night this evening, in the auditorium on the Ciutadella Campus of Pompeu Fabra University. Attended by some hundred experts from various biodiversity-related fields, the ceremony was held in recognition of the contribution made by institutions and professionals in the areas of biodiversity dissemination, research and conservation, particularly in Catalonia.
The gala was hosted by the geographer and meteorologist Francesc Mauri, and featured an account from Enric Sala, a marine biologist and resident explorer with National Geographic. The director of Barcelona Zoo, Antoni Alarcón, took stock of the main on-site research and conservation projects developed and carried out by the Barcelona Zoo Foundation between 2020 and 2022.
Prestigious careers in biodiversity dissemination, research and conservation
This year’s award for institutional work went to the Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC), for helping to give science a significant role in sustainable forest management, biodiversity and the circular bioeconomy.
The award for a professional career in biodiversity research and conservation went to Xavier Ferrer Parareda, a PhD in Biology and a lecturer at the Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences at the UB, and Antoni Ramis Salvà, a PhD in Veterinary Sciences and a lecturer in Animal Health.
The TV3 journalist and scientific disseminator Cori Calero López also received the award for her work disseminating biodiversity.
The Barcelona Zoo Foundation also gave a special award this year, in recognition of work in the area of environmental and biodiversity dissemination. This was given posthumously to Mària Sánchez Ledesma, a journalist and the figure behind the renowned environmental programme from RTVE El escarabajo verde. The award was collected by her partner, fellow journalist Manel Lucas, who was accompanied by their son and daughter.
Biodiversity Night is intended as a space for recognising the active contribution of organisations and professionals in defence of biodiversity, scientific research and dissemination relating to wild fauna and its natural habitats. The ceremony is particularly aimed at raising awareness over the need to conserve natural diversity and the threat that exists for some species.
This was the second edition of Biodiversity Night, after the first was held in 2019.
Solid commitment to research, conservation and education in favour of biodiversity
The Barcelona Zoo Foundation launched its Research and Conservation Programme over a decade ago, which gives support to research and the preservation of the species at the greatest risk. The programme gives annual grants to projects working to constantly improve animal welfare, which contribute to conservation and research in the sphere of biodiversity, produce quality science and disseminate scientific practice. The Foundation has awarded eight grants this year to projects focusing their study on wild fauna and biodiversity.
The new model for Barcelona Zoo firmly backs conservation, scientific research and dissemination relating to wild fauna and its natural habitats. In this respect, events such as Biodiversity Night highlight the need to promote research and conversation programmes conducted by the Zoo or in collaboration with third parties, carried out to help protect the most endangered species of wild animals.
