Anton Gazenbeek has over 30 years of experience in European environmental and economic policies and funding programmes covering various roles and capacities, both for the EU Institutions (European Parliament, European Commission) and for public and private entities at national or European level. Within a wide range of topics, nature conservation (Natura 2000 Network, LIFE programme), maritime policy (the blue economy and its sustainability), the environmental impact of agriculture and forestry, river and wetland processes and restoration, stakeholder and community involvement, landscape management and heritage were particular highlights. Professional activities included policy analysis, project assessment and inspection, project and team management, financial and contractual management and auditing, research and reporting, production and editing of publications. Anton, based in Belgium, was a key participant in the founding meetings of the ILCN, and has been on its Steering Committee since 2014.

Frank Vassen is a Belgian zoologist and ecologist, specialised in nature conservation issues. He is currently working as team leader in the Nature Unit of the General Directorate for the Environment, at the European Commission in Brussels. His professional focus is on the implementation of the EU Birds and Habitats Directives, and the EU-wide Natura 2000 network of sites established under these directives. His current work covers questions of financing Natura 2000, agricultural and forestry policies and the biogeographical seminars, as well as targets for restoring nature and increasing the protected area coverage in the EU, under the new EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.

Angelo Salsi is a graduate of the University of Bologna, Italy and began his career as an agro-meteorologist. In 1994, he joined the staff of the European Commission, and has focused there on the conservation of nature for nearly a quarter-century. He has been associated with the EC’s LIFE program since 2000, and has deep experience in the financing of environmental programmes across the European Community. At present, Angelo is a manager of the LIFE and Eco-Innovation unit in the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (EASME) of the European Community. Angelo has participated in the meetings of the International Land Conservation Network since its inception in 2014, and has great insight into the ongoing growth of the global conservation community.

Michael Davoren is a cattle farmer on the Burren (western Ireland) who has 110 hectares including ‘winterage’ and a herd of 40 suckler cows. In this region, farmers like Michael Davoren are returning to the practice of “winterage”, or moving cattle to the uplands to survive the winter. The Burren is protected under the EU’s Natura 2000 conservation programme on account of its rich wildlife, habitats and geology.

Michael is co-founder of the Burren Programme, a local partnership for sustainable farming, which invests in optimising and adapting farming systems. He is chairman of the local farmers’ association, a member of the steering committee of the Burren LIFE Project and a member of the board of Burrenbeo Trust.  The Burrenbeo Trust works with farmers in this region to develop and share sustainable farming practices. To learn more about the Burrenbeo Trust, visit their website here. 

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