Reverse the Red Announces 2026 Accelerator Award Winners
Eight projects to receive funding and strategic support to accelerate action for threatened species
YEREVAN, ARMENIA — October 22, 2026 — In the spirit of “Taking Action for Nature,” the theme of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), Reverse the Red today announced the eight winners of the 2026 Reverse the Red Accelerator Award in Yerevan, Armenia.
COP17 is bringing the global biodiversity community together at a pivotal moment to assess progress toward the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and accelerate implementation. For Reverse the Red, taking action for nature means accelerating the recovery of threatened species, aligning the actions of the many organisations working toward shared biodiversity goals, and amplifying the successes that demonstrate what is possible.
“Species recovery is a collective effort, and conservation action is happening across every part of our community. Zoos, aquariums, botanic gardens, governments, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, NGOs, research institutions, and other civil society partners are taking dedicated action to support their countries’ biodiversity goals and make a difference for individual species. The Accelerator Award helps connect and strengthen that work, ensuring that actions happening in different places and across different sectors can contribute to a shared goal: recovering species and reversing biodiversity loss,” said Dr. André Stadler, Reverse the Red Co-Chair.
The eight winning projects represent innovative, strategic approaches to accelerating recovery for threatened species around the world. Each project will receive a grant of up to USD $15,000, alongside strategic, technical, storytelling, and network support through Reverse the Red and its global conservation community.
The Reverse the Red Accelerator Award, supported by the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund and Synchronicity Earth, was developed to mobilize innovation, refine recovery-focused strategies, increase collaboration, and accelerate action that can deliver measurable progress for species.
The 2026 Accelerator Award winners are:
MIND.Funga/MICOLAB/UFSC research group for their project in Brazil for the critically endangered Tapir’s bark polypore (Fomitiporia nubicola)
Forum Pohon Langka Indonesia for their project in Indonesia for the critically endangered Ki Leho (Saurauia bogoriensis)
Ecovida for their project in Cuba for the endangered Catesbaea phyllacantha Griseb.
Bristol Zoological Society for their project in Madagascar and the UK for the critically endangered Blue-eyed black lemur (Eulemur flavifrons)
The Peregrine Fund for their project in the Dominican Republic for the critically endangered Ridgway's Hawk (Buteo ridgwayi)
Endangered Wildlife Trust for their project in South Africa for the endangered Van Zyl’s Golden Mole (Cryptochloris zyli)
Conservacion e Investigacion Ambiental (CIAM) for their project in Peru for the critically endangered White-bellied Cinclodes (Cinclodes palliatus)
NBPOL-Higaturu Oil Palm Ltd for their project in Papua New Guinea for the endangered Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Butterfly (Ornithoptera alexandrae)
“The Accelerator Award demonstrates what is possible when we connect funding with clear recovery strategies, collaboration, and the expertise of people working directly to save species. These eight projects are turning knowledge and ambition into action, and we are proud to support their work as they build momentum for species recovery and contribute to the implementation of Target 4 of the Global Biodiversity Framework,” said Dr. Kira Mileham, Reverse the Red Co-Chair.
Over the next 12 months, the winning projects will implement focused actions designed to address key threats and accelerate recovery for their selected species. Projects may include activities such as developing or expanding species propagation programs, preparing for translocations, improving monitoring and research, addressing human-wildlife conflict, reducing illegal trade, restoring habitat, or developing community-focused conservation initiatives.
Support from the 2026 Accelerator Award Funders
“Targeted investment in species conservation can make a meaningful difference for threatened species. We are proud to support initiatives that turn dedicated conservation efforts into measurable recovery outcomes,” said Nicolas Heard, Acting Director General, Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund.
“Lasting species recovery depends on supporting the people and organisations leading conservation action on the ground. We are pleased to help accelerate this vital work and amplify solutions for threatened species,” said Pria Ghosh, Species and Science Manager, Synchronicity Earth.
The 2026 Accelerator Award winners will join a growing community of conservation practitioners supported through the Reverse the Red network. Their projects will be shared through Reverse the Red’s global platforms, including Reverse the Red Day, the 2027 World Species Congress, and other opportunities to showcase successful approaches to species recovery.
Recovering species is possible. Announcing these winners at COP17, under the theme “Taking Action for Nature,” is a powerful reminder that we have the knowledge, tools, and strategies to halt and reverse species decline. By aligning efforts across governments, conservation organisations, and civil society, we can turn global biodiversity commitments into meaningful action for individual species. Together, we can accelerate recovery, amplify what works, and reverse the red.
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Contact:
Megan Joyce | megan.joyce@reversethered.org
Photos of each species can be found below. Please reference the photo credit in the file name.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1CAP9DinrJhu7Z01_8WS2h7GHw_hrL8bo
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About Reverse the Red
The Reverse the Red Action Partnership ignites strategic cooperation and action to ensure the survival of wild species and ecosystems and reverse the negative trend of biodiversity loss. Through a collaborative network, Reverse the Red brings together a diverse network of leading scientists, advocates, governments, and partners committed to using a data-driven and science-based approach to assess, plan, and act for species conservation. Reverse the Red provides the tools and expertise to empower governments, partners and local communities to set and reach species conservation targets and celebrates and amplifies successful achievements for species recovery. The Reverse the Red Governing Council member organisations are: Botanic Gardens Conservation International, IUCN Species Survival Commission, Re:wild, Toronto Zoo, World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and Zoological Society of London, with IUCN SSC and WAZA serving as co-chairs. Follow on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and Threads.
About the Reverse the Red Species Pledge
The Reverse the Red Species Pledge is designed to understand which organisations, groups, and agencies are committed to specific strategic recovery actions for identified species in specific countries. In 2022, 196 countries committed to the Global Biodiversity Framework with specific commitment to Goal A and Target 4 - halting extinctions, reversing declines, and recovering populations; plant, fungi, and animals. To achieve these targets, we need coordinated, strategic efforts from all partners and this Species Pledge is our first step to understanding which organisations are committing their skills, experience, and knowledge to participating in the recovery of specific species. Recognising your current commitments to species recovery or thoughtfully making new commitments to strategic actions for species recovery. The Species Pledge is for any organisation or group committed to specific actions aligned with a larger strategy to see populations of threatened species recovered in the wild. Learn more and make a pledge at www.reversethered.org/reverse-the-red-species-pledge.
About Synchronicity Earth
Synchronicity Earth is a UK-based conservation charity that acts to address overlooked and underfunded conservation challenges for globally threatened species and ecosystems. Find out more at synchronicityearth.org or follow on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and Threads.
About The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund
The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund is an innovative philanthropy providing small grants to boots-on-the-ground, get-your-hands-dirty, in-the-field species conservation projects for the world's most threatened species. Find out more at https://www.speciesconservation.org/ or follow on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.