Secretariat
The Secretariat supports the Eurosite members, and Board and Council, to implement Eurosite's Strategy. We coordinate and develop the network activities and organise training opportunities for European site managers. Being the first point of contact for partners, collaborators and others, please don't hesitate to get in touch!
HARM SCHOTEN
Director
Contact
hschoten@eurosite.org
Education
Chemical engineering, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands.
Experience
Harm is a Dutch native who started working at Eurosite on 1 January 2021. Before taking on his role as Eurosite's Director, he worked at the Dutch BirdLife partner 'Vogelbescherming Nederland' for over a decade in the leading position as Head of the Nature Unit. Harm was in charge of advocacy, capacity, strategic development planning, communication, and fundraising for the conservation of Natura 2000 areas. His work focused on large-scale nature restoration projects through cooperation with various stakeholders, business partners and governments. Before his time at the VBN, he worked as a Senior Policy Officer at the Witteveen+Bos - a Dutch consultancy specialised in Strategic and Environmental Impact Assessment - and the independent research organisation TNO. Harm has been a Council Member of Natuurmonumenten for eight years, and is currently serving as the Board Chair of A Rocha Nederland, the Dutch branch of the renowned international Christian nature conservation organisation.
“Every day I am inspired by the beauty of nature and people surrounding me. I am a keen naturalist with a particular passion for birds and insects. When I see a hoverfly hovering in the warm sunlight, it reminds me of being part of something higher. I love diversity in nature, but even more so in humankind. With differences in language, culture, gender etc. Eurosite is a true expression of varieties. I hope to continue Eurosite's successful trajectory as a leading network for conservation practitioners in Europe. Together with our members, strategic partners and with the Secretariat, we will take Eurosite's Reach, Relevance, Resilience and Recognition to the next level!”
CARLIJN POIRTERS
Senior Project and Finance Officer
Contact
cpoirters@eurosite.org
Education
International Business & Languages, University of Applied Sciences ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.
Experience
Carlijn is Dutch and has been with Eurosite since the summer of 2002. She has worked on various projects from the European Commission and national governments and contributed to Eurosite publications such as the Eurosite Strategy 2015 – 2020, Annual Reports and newsletters, and the development of the current Eurosite website. Throughout the years she has gained a lot of experience in financial management and reporting. Since the summer of 2013 Carlijn has coordinated the activities of the Secretariat in Tilburg in close collaboration with the Eurosite Board. She supports the overall governance of the network, including the organisation of Annual Meetings and other activities of the network.
“I enjoy working for Eurosite, supporting the site managers across Europe that take care of the practical management of Europe’s nature sites, safeguarding our natural heritage. Eurosite is a very friendly network and is truly a ‘home for suits and muddy boots’. We all have common objectives and enjoy sharing our experiences for the benefit of nature.”
JELKE BRANDEHOF
Communications and Membership Officer
Contact
jbrandehof@eurosite.org
Education
B.Sc. European Studies, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Maastricht, the Netherlands; M.Sc. Communication and Information Sciences, University of Tilburg, the Netherlands.
Experience
Jelke is from the Netherlands and has always had a passion for nature. This is reflected in internships and projects aimed at the prevention of deforestation which she carried out in Cameroon in collaboration with the NGO CENDEP, and through her experience as communication support officer in the Netherlands with ECNC- European Center for Nature Conservation.
“In reaching any goal, communication is key. Being able to work with Eurosite in an environment that facilitates me to support nature conservation through communication makes me extremely happy and motivated.”
WOJCIECH MRÓZ
Project Officer
Contact
wmroz@eurosite.org
Education
M.Sc. Environmental Biology; PhD Environmental Biology, Jagiellonian University, Poland.
Experience
Wojciech is an experienced, highly qualified ecologist with 19 years of practical experience in nature conservation in various sectors. He has proven, professional experience in several positions in very diverse multi-stakeholder projects: starting from field research technician, GIS technician and data analyst, independent researcher, head of scientific department, large scale project manager, national coordinator of natural habitats monitoring scheme, international expert and finally - independent ecological consultant and expert in nature conservation for WWF. At Eurosite he will fulfil the role of Project Officer.
“I am considered as a very open-minded, team and task-oriented, flexible, innovative and creative person. I’ve got also a deep understanding of diverse socio-economic conditions. I'm keen on travelling and working in multicultural environment.”
CAROLINA HALEVY
Project Officer
Contact
chalevy@eurosite.org
Education
B.Sc. Business Administration, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, the Netherlands; M.Sc. Environmental Sciences (Earth System Governance), Utrecht University, the Netherlands.
Experience
Carolina is an ambitious recent graduate, originally from Germany. Throughout her career as a student she led the business team of the Hogeschool Utrecht at an international competition of the U.S. Department of Energy (Solar Decathlon), worked as a research assistant at Utrecht University, took an active role in University governance as council member and class representative and also followed the European Institute of Innovation & Technology Climate-KIC programme. Besides that, she previously worked for the Kumasi Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Natuurmonumenten, Eurosite and the Reef Renewal Foundation International. At Eurosite her main role is the project management of the LIFE project “European Networks for Private Land Conservation”. She also takes on the role of European representative at the International Land Conservation Network (ILCN).
“Having worked as an intern with Eurosite before, I am happy to be part of such a great team again. I am looking forward to actively contribute towards Eurosite's goals, help expand the network and work hard on project implementation and management.’’