Gabriel Schwaderer

EuroNatur Executive Director

Gabriel Schwaderer
© Kerstin Sauer

Gabriel Schwaderer has been active in EuroNatur since its foundation in the year 1987. At that time among other things he organised work camps for young people in the whole of Europe. After acquiring his diploma in geography and spending a year in project assistance he took over the leadership of the EuroNatur projects for the protection of bear and lynx.

Gabriel Schwaderer has been Executive Director of EuroNatur since 1998. With an enormous commitment and a strong sense of responsibility he manages the foundation's business. Keeping the financial budget in view Gabriel creates a clear profile for EuroNatur and decides on the strategic direction of the projects from direct practical nature conservation work to fundraising working closely with the Presiding Committee, the Board of Trustees and the staff. In addition he plays an essential part in building up and maintaining the EuroNatur network of nature conservation partners, sponsors, donors and trustees. And as an expert he represents EuroNatur across Europe on important expert committees which is the groundwork essential for EuroNatur's voice to be heard in crucial questions of nature conservation in Europe.

Alongside his work as executive director Gabriel Schwaderer is responsible for a wide range of projects. His particular passion is working for the protection of virgin forests in Romania. Above all through his years of involvement in projects Gabriel knows the Balkans like the back of his hand.

As he says: “If EuroNatur didn't exist we'd have to invent it. Because our work as advocate of Nature in Europe has enabled 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."

News

Ongoing airport construction in Albania causes extreme concern at Bern Convention

++ Bern Convention urges Albanian government to stop construction works in protected Vjosa/Narta area – again ++ Planned Vlora airport near Narta…

The entire Aoos River in Greece and its tributaries are now protected

An important step was taken today by the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy with the designation of part of the catchment area of the…

Milestone for the protection of European forests on EU-level

The EU forest monitoring law emphasises common standards for the systematic collection of data which aligns with EuroNatur’s stance advocating for the…

Still plenty of room for improvement in the Western Balkans

There is still a long way to go for all the countries of the Western Balkans if they want to become members of the EU - especially when it comes to…

EuroNatur Award 2023: Signal of support for the protection of rivers in Poland

++ Polish Save the Rivers Coalition has received the EuroNatur Award ++ Odra expansion must be halted ++ Optimism for nature conservation in Poland…

EuroNatur Award for Polish Save the Rivers Coalition

++ This year's EuroNatur Award goes to Koalicja Ratujmy Rzeki ++ The award is also a political signal for more nature conservation in Poland and all…

Illegal garbage dumps cause conflicts with bears

Illegal garbage dumps near settlements are not only a problem for the soil and the environment. They often attract brown bears. Being omnivores, the…

Urgent call to halt implementation of Odra Revitalisation Act

Construction will have devastating consequences for the Odra and surrounding areas. 51 projects aim to engineer the rivers, create artificial…

Skavica mega dam: Albanian court to scrutinise special law for U.S. contractor Bechtel

++ Constitutional complaint filed by NGOs accepted for trial ++ First milestone in fight against one of Europe’s largest reservoirs ++ Thousands of…