Ulrich Eichelmann

RiverWatch

Ulrich Eichelmann (60) was born in Germany and lives since 1989 in Vienna/Austria. He is CEO of the NGO Riverwatch and is currently coordinating the international campaign Save the Blue Heart of Europe  to save the Balkan rivers against the construction of about 3,500 hydropower plants.

João Dias Coelho

GEOTA

João Dias Coelho has a degree in Law from the University of Lisbon. He holds a degree in Advanced Studies in Environmental, Territorial Planning and Sustainable Development from the University of Sciences and Technologies in New University of Lisboa and Advanced Management in Human Resources from the Faculty of Economic and Business Sciences of the Catholic University of Lisbon. From 2014 to 2018 was Chairman of the Board of TRATOLIXO. He is also one of the founding members of GEOTA and the current President.

Inês dos Santos Costa

Secretary of State for the Environment

Inês dos Santos Costa was born in Lisbon in 1979. She graduated in Environmental Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico in 2002, completed his Master of Engineering Policy and Technology Management and Doctorate in Environmental Engineering, in 2005 and 2011 respectively. She is the author and co-author of scientific articles, books and technical documents in the field of industrial ecology. Between 2016 and 2019 she was a partner of the 3Drivers company. She is currently the Secretary of State for the Environment in the Portugal Government.

Ana Lesoska

Eko-svest

Ms. Ana Colovic Lesoska is holder of BSc in biology and leads the Center for environmental research and information Eko-svest in N. Macedonia. She is also a Policy officer for WWF Adria. Ana led an 8 year campaign to stop two large energy infrastructure projects and save Mavrovo National Park. For her success Ana was awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Award in 2019.

Robert Kugonza

Friends of Environment
for Development

Robert Kugonza, an environmentalist professional; also a husband and a father of 4. I hold a certificate in environmental Law, a diploma and bachelor’s degree in Environment Management and a Master of Sciences degree from Makerere University.  For over 15 years, I have worked on dam issues and the rights of the people affected by them. I have been Coordinator of African Rivers Network (ARN), Dams and Energy officer at NAPE, and Dams Dialogue facilitator in Uganda. I am now Director and founder of Friends with Environment in Development (FED) a local NGO in Uganda working on both Environmental and Human rights. I have such passion for environment and humanity and I am committed to making my humble contribution however little, to making this world a better place to live in.

Philip Fearnside

National Institute of
Amazonian Research

Philip M. Fearnside is a Research Professor in the Department of Environmental Dynamics at the National Institute for Research in the Amazon (INPA) in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil since 1978. An ecologist, he has authored over 600 professional publications on environmental and social problems in Amazonia, as well as over 500 texts in the popular media, including his weekly column on the Amazônia Real website. His work on greenhouse-gas emissions from dams has helped bring attention to this issue despite resistance from industry and government. His work on impacts of dams is at the center of ongoing legal, academic and grassroots struggles. Honors include Brazil’s National Ecology Prize, the UN Global 500 award, the Chico Mendes prize, membership in the Brazilian Academy of Sciences and recognition as an International Rivers “river guardian”.

Rui Cortes

University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD)

Full Professor at the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD). Director of the Laboratory of Fluvial Ecology. Member of the Research Center for Agro-Environmental Technologies (CITAB). Current research interests: Monitorization of aquatic ecosystems, with relevance to bio-indicators. River restoration and sustainable management. Forest ecology. Soil bio-engineering techniques and erosion control.

Afonso do Ó

ANP | WWF

Afonso do Ó is the Freshwater Coordinator for ANP|WWF since 2018. PhD in Drought risk management in the Mediterranean, post-doc in transboundary river basins (Algarve/Seville Universities), over 20 years of work in freshwater resources and climate risks, including international experience at the European Commission, World Water Council and other NGO’s.

Lukas Thuile Bistarelli

University of Innsbruck

Scientists are important stakeholders in river protection. We deliver important data (e.g. biodiversity, sediment transport, etc) for campaigns against hydropower, especially for argumentation in legal fights. Scientists are also important advocates for free rivers in cooperation with NGOs, universities, and local citizens for public outreach. However, in the case of the Balkan rivers, decision-making processes often lack evidence-based knowledge and ignore environmental and social impacts. To address deficiencies of ecological data and risk assessment for legal fights in the Balkan rivers, we here call for the formation of a network of researchers motivated to produce scientific evidence for the ecological functioning of Balkan rivers and hydropower impacts. We are currently working on building a Scientists for Balkan Rivers network which will also work across the Balkan countries, particularly Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and North Macedonia. Together, we are in search for senior partners and young scientists throughout the region and beyond, ready to contribute expertise, facilities, and data – to protect the Balkan rivers.

Cornelia Wieser

RiverWatch

Conny is Blue Heart project coordinator at Riverwatch since 2013 and is responsible for public relations, website and social media maintenance, event planning as well as organizational issues. She is dedicated to habitat conservation, ecological equilibrium and true climate protection.

Catarina Miranda

Rios Livres GEOTA

Andrey Ralev

Bankwatch

Andrey Ralev is an ornithologist and environmentalist from Bulgaria. Since 2002 he has been working in nature-conservation projects with different NGOs. He has experience living in Bulgaria, Venezuela, Spain, Armenia and Georgia. Andrey is specialized in issues like protecting rivers and forests, impacts from dams on biodiversity, Bern Convention and Habitats Directive, Emerald and Natura 2000 Networks.

Paulo Constantino

ProTEJO

Paulo Fernando da Graça Constantino is the spokesperson for proTEJO – Movement for the Tagus, citizenship movement that assumes the mission of sensitizing and mobilizing citizens in defence of the Tagus River and its affluents in an ecological and cultural aspect, aiming to bring together all citizens and organizations for the defence of the river basin of Tagus. His passion for the Tagus River is due to have been born and living at Vila Nova da Barquinha, a riverside village of the Tagus River. The ecology in his life wasn’t originate in his degree in Economics, with a specialization in Monetary and Financial Economics, but in the learning of a New Water Culture.

Alexandra Aragão

CEDOUA

Alexandra Aragão is Professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra. Teaches environmental law, ecoliteracy, european law, risk governance, food security law and forest law. Is vice-editor of the “Planning law, urban law and environmental law journal”, in Portugal. Is member of several observatories, research groups and academic organizations on EU environmental law in Portugal, Brazil and Europe. Participated in drafting of two national research and innovation agendas for 2030: circular economy and tourism. Coordinates the interdisciplinary network “JUST-Side” on “Territorial Justice and Sustainability through spatial data infrastructures” in ten Iberian and Latin American countries.

Paul Brotherton

Wetlands International European Association

Paul Brotherton has spent two decades at the intersection of conservation science, policy and communications in the US, EU and globally. Rivers run through his experiences – including the Hudson, Niger and Rhine – and he is a focal point in Europe seeking to accelerate implementation of freshwater-related laws and restore free-flowing rivers.

Pao Fernández Garrido

World Fish Migration Foundation

Pao Fernández Garrido studied Forestry Engineering and got her Masters in Ecosystems Restoration. Later she got trained in USA on PIT and Radio telemetry, technical and naturalized fishways design and dam removal. She developed DRE along with Herman Wanningen, and coordinated WFMD events and the collection of the barrier inventories for AMBER.

João Joanaz de Melo

NOVA University Lisbon

João Joanaz de Melo holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering. Associate Professor at NOVA University Lisbon, Portugal, he conducts teaching, research and consultancy on sustainability assessment and policy, ecodesign, energy efficiency and Nature conservation. Ever a lover of Nature, he was a founder and served as president of GEOTA.

Ana Geraldes

#MovRioDouro

Ana M. Antão-Geraldes is Auxiliary Professor at Instituto Politécnico de Bragança and researcher of CIMO. She is limnologist, covering: river and lake conservation/ management / anthropogenic Impacts / monitoring / bioremediation.

Pedro Teiga

University of Porto

Pedro Teiga is a specialist in Rehabilitation of Rivers and stream, consultant, designer and researcher of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto. PhD in Environmental Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto with the title “Environmental assessment, impact mitigation measures and a general methodology for the rehabilitation of rivers and streams in built-up spaces. A participatory approach “.

2010/2021 – Founder and Executive Director of “E.Rio Unip Lda”.
Since 2008 – CIIMAR Researcher at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto;

2013/2021 – Coordinates teams for elaboration and monitoring of projects characterization, intervention of Cleaning, conservation and valorisation and implementation of public participation process in: Pranto river and Arunca river in the Municipality of Pombal; Este river and Guisando in the Municipality Vila Nova de Famalicão; Uíma river in the Municipality Santa Maria da Feira; Trancão, Loures river in the Municipality of Loures; Vizela, Ferro and Bugio rivers in the municipalities of Fafe, Felgueiras, Guimarães, Vizela, Santo Tirso; Diz and Noéme rivers in the municipality of Guarda; streams the Esposende; rivers and streams affected by the fires of Pedrogão Grande. Interventions in a total extension of more than 500 km of rivers in Portugal.

2014/2021 – Consultant of the Portuguese Environmental Agency (APA) by ARH do Norte in the supervision and monitoring of the interventions in the cities of Braga, Viana do Castelo, Mogadouro, Mirandela, Cold Meson in the hydraulic, ecological and public participation components.

Pedro Brufao Curiel

University of Extremadura

Ph. D. in Administrative Law. Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. 2002. Thesis on international commerce law and agricultural subsidies. Masters of Laws in Environmental & Energy Law. Tulane University (USA), and the Fulbright Commission. 1997-1998. JD. Universidad Complutense de Madrid Law School. 1994. Spanish High School. Tangier, Morocco. 1988. Senior Lecturer in Administrative Law. Universidad de Extremadura. Since 2019. Deputy Full Professor and Associated Professor in Administrative Law. Universidad de Extremadura. 2003-2019.

Irma Popović Dujmović

WWF Adria

Irma Popović Dujmović has an Master of Science in biology-ecology. Since 2002 she is working as a professional in CSO, on integrated and innovative approach to the challenges within the field of water management and conservation of freshwater ecosystems. Since 2011 she is in WWF Adria with the focus on hydropower development and sustainable use of river resources.

Luís Costa

MAVA Foundtation

As Programme Manager, Luís Costa is in charge of the freshwater, coastal wetlands and species aspects of MAVA’s Mediterranean Programme. A biologist by training, he joined MAVA in October 2016 with more than 25 years’ experience in conservation. Luís is a founding member of Portuguese Ornithological Society (SPEA) and formerly its Executive Director (2004-2016). He has also worked at the Nature Conservation Institute, overseeing its aquatic bird census and wetland conservation plan, and authoring MedWet’s standard methodology for inventories. A Portuguese national, Luís is a keen sportsman who plays football and runs regularly.

Malgorzata Smolak

Independent Expert

Małgorzata Smolak, environmental and energy lawyer/independent expert, is specializing in EU and international laws regarding rivers protection and hydropower, air pollution and coal. She is involved in the Save the Blue Heart campaign and the Lawyers for Rivers initiative. She is a former leader of Climate and Energy Project in ClientEarth in Poland.

Álvaro Fonseca

Guarda Rios Collective

Álvaro Fonseca, a former professor and researcher in the Life Sciences (Microbiology), is currently on a journey of reflection and quest for alternative paths towards fairer, more cooperative and sustainable societies. He has been collaborating with like-minded people from different areas of knowledge, such as education, artistic research and political or environmental activism. He writes on various contemporary topics in two personal blogs and is a member of the Portuguese Degrowth Network.

Lejla Kusturica

Atelier For Community Transformation

Lejla Kusturica is a long-time activist who believes in solidarity, human potential, active local communities and the good in people. She worked as philanthropic, youth and an economic and women’s rights empowerment manager. She has launched “My-Hair-Your-Hair” initiative to raise awareness for children with cancer. She has also co-founded an arts foundation.

Dragana Mileusnic

The Nature Conservancy – TNC

Dragana Mileusnic is the Southeast Europe Program Director at The Nature Conservancy (TNC), where she advocates for renewable energy expansion fit for nature and local communities. Since 2018, she’s also leading TNC’s freshwater protection work in the region. Previously, she has been with the Brussels-based NGO coalition Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, as well as with a number of local non-profits from the Balkans. Originally from Belgrade, Serbia, she holds Master in Environmental Change and Management from University of Oxford.

Diogo Dias Coutinho

CLARA

Diogo Dias Coutinho lives in Santa Clara-a-Velha in the municipality of Odemira, he is co-founder and president of the association Project Earth and coordinator of CLARA – Center for Rural Future. In 2021 he co-created the local group SOS Rio Mira to defend the river ecosystems.

David Blake

Activist/Scientist

David has been a rivers activist over many years, mostly in the Lower Mekong Basin countries of SE Asia, but also to a lesser extent in his home country of UK, where he has participated in various conservation initiatives on the streams and rivers of Somerset. He has a PhD from the School of International Development, the University of East Anglia, examining the irrigation development paradigm in Northeast Thailand from a critical political ecology perspective.

Daniela Barbosa

Lousada Guarda Rios

Daniela Barbosa – MSc in Ecology, Environment and Territory by the University of Porto – started the study and divulgation of amphibian communities and aquatic freshwater ecosystems in 2013, at the Charcos Com Vida project. Since 2018, she has been a biologist in the Nature Conservation and Environmental Education Sector of the Municipality of Lousada, where she coordinates the Lousada Charcos and the Lousada Guarda Rios projects, which focus on the public engagement towards the conservation of water-related biodiversity. She has experience in ecological restoration and environmental education. She is an active member of the BioLiving Association, where she collaborates as a biologist and trainer.

Bruna Campos

Euronatur

Annette Spangenberg

EuroNatur

Annette Spangenberg is the Head of Conservation at EuroNatur Foundation, Germany. Her focus is the protection of the last free-flowing rivers on the Balkan Peninsula and of primary and old-growth forests in Romania. Annette has been involved in the campaign “Save the Blue Heart of Europe” since its start in 2011.

Ana Pereira

Activist

Ana Pereira and Monica Silva are from Tomar, Portugal, where the Nabao river crosses the town, and its pollution has been a problem for several years. The Nabao river is an affluent of the Tejo river and its pollution raises even more ecological problems. Ana is a nature lover, with a master´s degree in Environment and Evolution Biology, mother and yogini. She believes in the compassion and interdependence principle of balance of Earth as a living being and rivers as its circulatory system. Mónica is a canoe athlete with a master´s degree in Sports Education, mother and nature lover.

Amelie Huber

EURONATUR

Amelie Huber is freshwater project manager at Euronatur Foundation, Germany, where she helps to coordinate legal and policy work for halting destructive hydropower development in Europe and supports the Save the Blue Heart of Europe campaign. Before that she spent several years researching hydropower conflicts in the Eastern Himalayan region of India.

Tarryn Johnston

Moving Water Aliance

Tarryn grew up in Irene, South Africa. As a single mother of 2 girls found herself spent much time seeking spiritual fulfillment and through her spiritual work she found her connection to plants and water. Her daughter of 12 asked her to do a river cleanup and as a mom, Tarryn decided to organise one, which was a success and seeing the state of the water she made a commitment to do whatever is within her means to help heal our waters, starting where I am and with what I had – two hands and a voice. Founder and CEO of Hennops Revival NPO and Chairperson for Moving Water Alliance. THE ECO ANGEL AWARD 2021

Tara Sukic

Euronatur

Part of EuroNatur and the Blue Heart Team since 2019 and dedicated to the one-health approach, according to which a worthwhile life for humankind can only be created on a healthy planet.

Silvano Rizzi

Tamera Ecology Team

Silvano Rizzi (36) was born in Italy and raised at the feet of the German Alps. After school he studied Non Profit Management which took him to crisis areas like Haiti in 2012. This same year he visited Tamera and was fascinated by the water retention work that was being done there. He has lived in Tamera for 8 years as part of the Ecology Team. His main line of work is building Water Retention Landscapes in order to close the big water cycle. His work also spreads to the Alentejo and other parts of Europe.

Mathias Kondolf

University of Berkeley

G. Mathias “Matt” Kondolf is Professor of Environmental Planning and Co-Director of the Global Metropolitan Studies program at UC Berkeley, where he teaches hydrology, river restoration, environmental planning, and environmental science. Originally trained as a geologist and fluvial geomorphologist, Matt researches human-river interactions, including managing flood-prone lands, urban rivers, river restoration, and river-basin-scale impacts of dams and mining on downstream rivers and deltas, and he advises governments and non-governmental organizations on these topics.

Lígia Vaz de Figueiredo

GEOTA

Specialist in Water Resources, Environmental Policies and Agriculture at GEOTA (Free Rivers Project). PhD in River Restoration and Management at Faculty of Architecture of Lisbon (waiting for thesis defense) and researcher at CIAUD, Research Centre for Architecture, Urbanism and Design, Lisbon School of Architecture, Universidade de Lisboa with the project: Fluvial landscape assessment methodology.

Martin Dalvai

University of Innsbruck

Scientists are important stakeholders in river protection. We deliver important data (e.g. biodiversity, sediment transport, etc) for campaigns against hydropower, especially for argumentation in legal fights. Scientists are also important advocates for free rivers in cooperation with NGOs, universities, and local citizens for public outreach. However, in the case of the Balkan rivers, decision-making processes often lack evidence-based knowledge and ignore environmental and social impacts. To address deficiencies of ecological data and risk assessment for legal fights in the Balkan rivers, we here call for the formation of a network of researchers motivated to produce scientific evidence for the ecological functioning of Balkan rivers and hydropower impacts. We are currently working on building a Scientists for Balkan Rivers network which will also work across the Balkan countries, particularly Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and North Macedonia. Together, we are in search for senior partners and young scientists throughout the region and beyond, ready to contribute expertise, facilities, and data – to protect the Balkan rivers.Contact : scientists@balkanrivers.net Network: https://cutt.ly/scientistsforbalkanriversnetwork

Tobias Schäfer

WWF Germany

Tobias Schäfer works as Freshwater Policy Advisor for WWF Germany. With a background in landscape architecture and environmental planning, he has 20 years of experience in the field of River Basin Management and EU water policy. Tobias has worked on the topic of strict legal protection for free-flowing rivers that exists in several European countries. He believes that a closer look at these legal schemes can be very helpful for advocating and shaping European policies for the strict protection of free-flowing rivers in the future.

Dragana Skenderija

Center for Environment, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dragana is an activist who joined the Center for Environment in 2015. During the years of volunteering, she participated in numerous actions and camps throughout BiH and Europe. She is currently an Energy and Climate Change program assistant and the coordinator of the Coalition for the Protection of Rivers of BiH.