Who's who at EuroNatur - a small core team and a wide-spreading network
EuroNatur chose not to set up its own web of offices manned with full-time staff all over Germany. Our work is concerned with setting up cooperation between existing nature conservation organisations which have excellent connections in their immediate environment and are working successfully there. Donations do not disappear into any overblown administrative apparatus - they go directly to the projects.
With head and heart at work for the cause
The organisation at EuroNatur is lean: a tight-knit team has built up a comprehensive international network of partners covering all of Europe. Nobody is a mere number here. The entire team is dedicated to the task of protecting Europe's natural heritage.
Lake Constance- Bonn -Europe
The EuroNatur Foundation has two locations in Germany. Beside the leadership, that is the Executive Director and the Director for Nature Conservation Policy, there are 16 full-time staff employed by the foundation. The central functions such as donation management, accounts, general administration and public relations are also at Radolfzell on Lake Constance as is the majority of project management. The department for nature conservation policy is located in Rheinbach near Bonn. The members of the EuroNatur Presiding Committee and of the EuroNatur Board of Trustees serve in an honorary capacity. In addition there are four members of staff working full-time at the EuroNatur Service GmbH in Radolfzell.
The EuroNatur leadership
Gabriel Schwaderer -
EuroNatur Executive Director, main office Radolfzell
“If EuroNatur didn't exist we'd have to invent it. Because our work as advocate of Nature in Europe has enable us to save many landscapes from destruction. Together with the people living in the project areas we stand for sustainable regional development in harmony with the needs of wildlife and the protection of the countryside."
Lutz Ribbe -
EuroNatur Director for Nature Conservation Policy, offices at Rheinbach near Bonn
“What distinguishes the work of EuroNatur is the persistence with which we pursue important themes. Agricultural policy is an outstanding example of this: EuroNatur has been working intensively on this for many years. In the meantime many of our demands have reached and been accepted at the political level.”
EuroNatur staff
Annette Spangenberg –
Head of project unit, Radolfzell
“One of the reasons I enjoy working at the foundation so much is that at EuroNatur there’s no such thing as routine work and I’m able to continually develop my skills. Every day I get a lot of satisfaction from helping our partners to raise the profile of nature conservation work in their own countries - despite, and perhaps also because of, the many challenges we encounter along the way.”
More about Annette Spangenberg…
Anne Katrin Heinrichs -
Project leader, Radolfzell
“The many different areas of activity in EuroNatur and its principle of combining practical projects on the ground with work at political level strongly appeal to me. I am particularly impressed with the way EuroNatur always bears the needs of local people in mind. I also very much enjoy the cooperation with local partner organisations. I find it exciting to be part of a European network and to be working in this team on a vision for the protection of the unique natural world in Europe.”
Theresa Schiller –
Project leader, Radolfzell
“The incredible variety and beauty of landscapes, animals and plants to be found on our planet have always fascinated and moved me. It is a matter close to my heart to work with others to protect these natural treasures. I feel the EuroNatur approach of working long-term with local partners on an equal footing is absolutely the right way to achieve our goals.”
Jurjen Molenaar –
Project leader, Radolfzell
“I love to watch time and time again how a river moulds the landscape. We need to make sure this can still happen in the future, so EuroNatur’s campaigns to protect Europe’s river landscapes are close to my heart.”
Elfrun Lindenthal -
Project leader, Radolfzell
“The impact of environmental factors is not just local; everything is connected with everything else. This becomes particularly clear in the conservation of bodies of flowing water. So I really identify with the transnational approach used in EuroNatur’s projects.”
Stefan Ferger –
Project leader, Radolfzell
“Nature conservation can only work if it is based on local people's acceptance. The fact that EuroNatur always bears the local people in mind is, in my view, one of the essential reasons for the success of the Foundation.”
Sandra Wigger –
Project leader, Radolfzell
“EuroNatur not only connects up habitats and populations of wild animals, it also brings people together across national borders to develop and cooperate in projects for the protection of natural life. I see this as one of the keys to the successful pursuit of nature conservation.“
Magdalena Kulisch –
Project leader, Radolfzell
„I was travelling in Central America and New Zealand. Today I know that there’s no need to travel that far to experience outstanding nature. This is still possible even on our densely populated continent. I would like to contribute to preserving the wild beauty of Europe and to enabling a peaceful coexistence of mankind and nature“.
Mareike Brix –
Project leader, Radolfzell
"I am fascinated by the many natural finish landscapes in South East Europe with its large diversity in species. [...] This is why it’s one of my major concerns to do my part, by developing approaches with our local partner organisation, that benefit men as well as nature.“
Anja Arning –
Press and public relations, Radolfzell
“Solidarity does not have much advocacy in today’s societies. But with EuroNatur this is different. Instead of profit seeking, the focus is on the common idea, on thinking beyond one’s own nose, on interconnectedness. As part of the EuroNatur network, I have the good feeling that I can make a meaningful contribution.”
Katharina Grund –
Public relations, Donation publicity, Radolfzell
“Nature conservation is a matter very close to my heart. On the one hand, it is hard to be confronted with the destruction of nature day by day. On the other hand, I am motivated by the many committed people from Spain to Albania who fight for Europe’s nature as part of the EuroNatur network. It is their stories that I want to tell.”
More about Katharina Grund...
Christian Stielow –
Press and public relations, Radolfzell
"One of my key concerns is to increase central European awareness of the Balkans. The landscapes of South East Europe are every bit as rich and varied as its cultures. I want to make people more aware not only of its beauty, but also of the threats to its survival."
Markus Dressnandt –
Online-Fundraising, Radolfzell
”EuroNatur's motto - Connecting people with Nature – is the best motto I know. I am always happy to think I'm working in this strong international network and am able to make my contribution to preserving nature and the environment.”
Mira Bell –
Public Relations and Administration, Radolfzell
Educated in Slavic and German languages, Mira Bell has been providing invaluable support to EuroNatur since March 2012. Initially appointed on a marginal employment contract, she has been a permanent member of the EuroNatur team since January 2014. She organises the foundation’s printed matter and manages the office. With her keen eye for detail, facility with words and all-round commit-ment, Mira is also involved in press and public relations.
Leonie Kraut -
Executive assistant, Radolfzell
„In spite of the wide range of projects and the international framework of the work EuroNatur never loses sight of the smaller scale things. Every project, each person, every donation counts. That really appeals to me.“
Sabine Günther –
Donations management, Radolfzell
“When someone makes a donation to EuroNatur I see it as a sign of trust in us and in our work. I regard it as my special responsibility to ensure that those placing this trust in us can rely on us to carry out their wishes.”
Ines Fantinato –
Donations management, Radolfzell
Ines Fantinato has been an important member of the EuroNatur team since May 2014. Experienced in business, she writes letters of welcome to all new sponsors and supporters, creates and sends out sponsorship certificates, ensures that donations are properly recorded and keeps the contact database for EuroNatur's donors, sponsors and supporters up to date. Bookkeeping is her other specialist area within the team.
Gabriela Strobel –
Accounts, Radolfzell
“Work in the nature conservation field is really worthwhile and it's interesting. What I particularly like at EuroNatur is the international character.”
More about Gabriela Strobel…
Daniela Löchle –
Human Resources and Accounts, EuroNatur Foundation
Executive Director of EuroNatur Service GmbH, Radolfzell
“Things are always changing here. I have already spent half my life at EuroNatur – and as a result I feel very much attached to the organisation.”
Kerstin Sauer –
Graphics and distribution, EuroNatur Service GmbH, Radolfzell
“Day by day I’m happy that my work contributes to presenting EuroNatur’s projects visually appealing, easy to understand, and colourful.”
Katharina Gohn –
Sales and Dispatch, EuroNatur Service GmbH, Radolfzell
“In my home country, in Romania, nature is really wild, it's untouched and I have always loved it. But it wasn't until I came to Germany that I learnt in how many different ways one can and must protect nature. The work of the foundation has fascinated me from the very beginning.”
Susanne Buchholz – Accountants department and administration, EuroNatur Service GmbH, Radolfzell
"It is dear to my heart to preserve such places and find a way, humans can live in harmony with nature. EuroNatur is treading such paths.“
Andrea Ribbe –
Administration, Department of Nature Conservation Policy
“Over the years I have experienced how our network - particularly in Poland - has grown and grown. We have step by step managed to win the trust and respect of the authorities and our partners there. Now it is a question of keeping up the contacts and cultivating them. As I see it, EuroNatur's Narew project in the North East of Poland is our flagship project: it demonstrates how persevering quietly with our work on site has led to success.”
Christine Coellejan –
Administration, project work, translation, Department for Nature Conservation Policy
“My work at EuroNatur is not only meaningful, it is also extremely interesting. Every project is different in character and there is something new to learn every day.”
More about Christine Coellejan…