Leonard Sonten – Project Manager Fresh Water
Fish and water have fascinated Leonard Sonten since he was a child. The fact that he later studied marine biology in the Netherlands and then completed his Master's degree in ‘Applied Limnology’ (freshwater ecology) at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna was simply a natural progression.
However, Leonard Sonten did not see himself in the purely scientific world in the long term. ‘I see myself more as a bridge builder between research and politics,’ he says, referring to the major task of critically evaluating scientific data and translating the complex ecological relationships into a clear language at a level that people can understand. ‘I always look for the lowest common denominator because nature conservation doesn't work without people.’
Above all, Leonard wants to help ensure that Europe's last wild rivers remain as wild as possible. Their sustainable use should be strengthened instead of leaving the field to big investors who satisfy their needs at the expense of people and the environment. One of his main tasks at EuroNatur is to strengthen cross-border cooperation between partner organisations in Greece and Albania and to promote the holistic protection of the Vjosa (Albanian side) and Aoos river (Greek side) ecosystems. ‘EuroNatur looks at the big picture. It is this cross-border thinking and work that makes EuroNatur strong and special,’ he says. ‘The prospect of people working together across borders in nature conservation and supporting each other motivates me immensely.’
In his private life, Leonard dreams of one day becoming self-sufficient. Anyone who visits him will most likely see an aquaponics system in which he treats wastewater from fish and then uses it as a natural fertiliser for his tomato plants. Trying out unusual methods is in this biologist's blood.