First Reverse the Red Accelerator Award Grants Awarded at IUCN World Conservation Congress
In Abu Dhabi, nine awards to provide financial, strategic, promotional, and network support to accelerate action for threatened species announced
Contact: Megan Joyce | megan.joyce@reversethered.org
October 11, 2025 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Reverse the Red is excited to announce the winners of the first ever Reverse the Red Accelerator Award today on the Conservation Action Stage at the IUCN World Conservation Congress.
The Accelerator Award, presented byReverse the Red with the support of Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund and Synchronicity Earth, has been developed to mobilise innovation, refine recovery-focused strategy, increase collaboration, and support the acceleration of action foundational to recovering species and creating positive impact on species and biodiversity. Each winner has been awarded a grant of USD 15,000, along with a suite of other financial, strategic, promotional, and network support.
“These projects will not only benefit these incredible species but will also be models for strategic action, inspiring our community and giving hope for years to come,” said Reverse the Red Director of Strategy Michael Clifford. “Reverse the Red is proud to accelerate recovery-focused action for threatened species. From 240 global applications, nine outstanding animal, fungi, and projects have been selected to receive accelerator funding, media exposure, and strategic support. Over the next 12 months, these winners will drive impactful action to recover these endangered species.”
We are pleased to award the first nine Accelerator Awards to five animal projects, one fungi project, and three plant projects.
Bristol Zoological Society for their project on the critically endangered Turquoise Dwarf Gecko (Lygodactylus williamsi)
Ethnobiological Society of Indonesia (PMEI) for their project on the extinct in the wild Kalimantan Mango (Mangifera casturi)
Fungi Foundation for their project on the endangered Loyo Mushroom (Butyriboletus loyo)
Grootvadersbosch Conservancy Trust for their project on the critically endangered Tradouw Redfin (Pseudobarbus burchelli)
Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas, A.C. for their project on the critically endangered Townsend´s Shearwater (Puffinus auricularis)
IUCN SSC Center for Species Survival Nigeria - A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute for their project on the endangered African Rosewood (Pterocarpus erinaceus)
The Morton Arboretum for their project on the endangered Arroyo Oak (Quercus brandegeei)
Nature Concerns for their project on the critically endangered Taita Apalis (Apalis fuscigularis)
Zoological Society of London for their project on the extinct in the wild Potosi Pupfish (Cyprinodon alvarezi)
Additional funding support was provided by the Columbus Zoo, who are the presenting sponsors for the Bristol Zoological Society’s Turquoise Dwarf Gecko project and the Zoological Society of London’s Potosi Pupfish project, and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
“I am delighted that the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund can support the inaugural Reverse the Red Accelerator Award - with the winners announced at this very special IUCN Conservation Congress being held here in Abu Dhabi,” said Nicolas Heard, Acting Director General, Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund. “There is a clear need to increase funding support to hands-on species conservation projects, and to enable the wonderful people saving species. This is an opportunity to participate with other species donors to help get funding to those who are having an impact.”
This competitive opportunity was open to organisations or groups that have submitted a Reverse the Red Species Pledge for an endangered, critically endangered, or extinct in the wild species of animal, fungi, or plant. The Species Pledge is designed to connect the strategic actions of partners in support of national biodiversity targets and goals.
Recovering species is possible. Announcing these winners on the Conservation Action stage during the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress shows all 10,000 delegates to the Congress that together, we can reverse the red. We know how to save species - the tools, strategies, and science exist - we just need to accelerate our efforts.
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Contact:
Megan Joyce | megan.joyce@reversethered.org
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About Reverse the Red
Reverse the Red is a global coalition that ignites strategic cooperation and action to ensure the survival of wild species and ecosystems and reverse the negative trend of biodiversity loss. Through a strategic initiative, Reverse the Red brings together a diverse network of leading scientists, advocates, 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. The Reverse the Red Executive Committee 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. (ZSL was recused during all Accelerator Award discussions and evaluations.)
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 extensions, 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.