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.
From Lake Constance to Europe
The EuroNatur Foundation is based in Radolfzell. Beside the Executive Director there are 22 full-time staff employed by the foundation. The members of the EuroNatur Presiding Committee and of the EuroNatur Board of Trustees serve in an honorary capacity. In addition there are three members of staff working full-time at the EuroNatur Service GmbH in Radolfzell.
The EuroNatur leadership
Gabriel Schwaderer -
EuroNatur Executive Director
“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."
Our Project Team
Ilka Beermann -
Project Leader Migratory Birds
“Borders are made by people and have no significance for birds. For that very reason, nature conservation across national borders is vital. This is the EuroNatur approach, and not only with its bird migration projects. I can completely identify with this.”
Stefan Ferger –
Deputy Head of Conservation,
Project Leader Migratory Birds
“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.”
Anne Katrin Heinrichs -
Project leader European Green Belt
“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.”
Amelie Huber -
Project leader Fresh water
“Linking scientific expertise with political environmental activism – that’s exactly what inspires me about EuroNatur’s conservation work.”
Lisa Leschinski -
Project Leader Lynx and Monk Seal Protection
„I am a research scientist but science alone is not enough in order to effectively protect such species as the lynx and the wolf. Fact-based communication and public relations are much needed, too. This is the only way of achieving acceptance and coexistence of humans and wildlife.“
Elfrun Lindenthal -
Project leader Fresh water
“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.”
Janinka Lutze -
Campaigner
"Above all, I like working with so many different people from a variety of countries. And the exchange of information within the EuroNatur team is invaluable: there’s a flow of knowledge from a wide range of projects here, and I’m able to make the most of it in my campaign work.”
Laura Meinecke -
Project leader European Green Belt
“The European Green Belt shows us how little impression state borders make on nature. I am fascinated by the way the flora and fauna have evolved over such a large area in the shadow of the Iron Curtain. I would like to play a part in building a future for an ecological and peaceful Europe with the Green Belt.”
Annette Spangenberg –
Head of Conservation
“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…
Tara Sukic –
Project leader Fresh Water
“A lot of people often forget that they are a part of nature. Yet if nature suffers, we too will suffer. The protection and conservation of our planet is a challenge for the worldwide community. I like the fact that with my work at EuroNatur I can make a small contribution to this great task."
Sandra Wigger –
Project leader Cultural landscapes
“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.“
Our Communication Team
Anja Arning –
Head of Communication,
Press and public relations
“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.”
Mira Bell –
Online fundraising and public relations
„Due to my studies as a literary scholar, I see nature above all associated with people. That is why I especially like the EuroNatur slogan „Connecting nature and people“.
Markus Dressnandt –
Deputy Head of Communication,
Online-Fundraising and Marketing
”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.”
Katharina Grund –
Public relations and Donation publicity
“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...
Sabine Günther –
Donations management
“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.”
Matthias Heinrich -
Social Media and Community Manager
“Despite all our technical achievements, we are still part of nature. I would like to help us once again to live more in tune with ourselves and nature, and not to destroy it for short-term gains.”
Kerstin Sauer –
Graphics and distribution, EuroNatur Service GmbH
“Day by day I’m happy that my work contributes to presenting EuroNatur’s projects visually appealing, easy to understand, and colourful.”
Christian Stielow –
Press and public relations
"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."
Our Administration Team
Ines Fantinato –
Donations Management
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.
Michael Fantinato –
Office Management and Administration
“I am proud to have my roots in the Balkans. By working at EuroNatur I want to give something back to my home country Slovenia and do something good from a distance.“
Manuela Fundinger –
Bookkeeping and Administration, EuroNatur Service GmbH
“I find it fascinating at EuroNatur to get a look behind the scenes of conservation work. It’s great to see what conservationists across Europe achieve. I’m pleased to be able to make a small contribution to that with my work.”
Leonie Kraut -
Head of Administration,
Personal Assistant to the Executive Director
„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.“
Daniela Löchle –
Deputy Head of Administration,
Human Resources and Accounts, EuroNatur Foundation
Executive Director of EuroNatur Service GmbH
“There's always something happening here. I have developed along with EuroNatur and feel very attached to the organisation.”
Gabriela Strobel –
Accounts
“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…