Carl Jones scholarship
Professor Carl Jones, MBE, has probably saved more threatened species than any other conservationist. He has spent 40 years working in Mauritius employing captive-breeding and scientific research techniques in the field, to save and recover species such as the Mauritius kestrel, echo parakeet and keel-scaled boa. Carl has taken this species-focused work to lead the restoration of entire forest and island ecological systems.
Today, he is Durrell’s Chief Scientist, and shapes Durrell’s conservation strategy and the development of best practice in threatened species recovery. Carl’s determination, resilience, vision and ability to influence those around him sets him apart, and his work has influenced threatened species recovery programmes across the world. He is also passionate about developing future generations of conservation leaders, with hundreds of practitioners developing their conservation and scientific skills under his tutelage.
We are proud to launch a conservation scholarship programme under Carl Jones’ name to support the professional development of the most promising early career conservationists. The scholarship provides full financial support (except the cost of travel to Jersey) to attend the Durrell Endangered Species Management graduate certificate (DESMAN) course at Durrell Conservation Academy.
Carl Jones scholarship selection criteria
We prioritise the awarding of Carl Jones Scholarships to conservationists working in Durrell’s field programme regions. These include:
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Mauritius, Madagascar and the wider Southwest Indian Ocean region
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India
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Indonesia
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Eastern Caribbean
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Brazil
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Ecuador
We also prioritise conservationists working on species, or tackling conservation problems, where the expertise of Durrell can make a difference. These include, but are not limited to:
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frogs & toads
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lizards, snakes, chelonians
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pigeons & doves, parrots, birds of prey
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small primates
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rodents & eulipotyphlan insectivores
The scholarship seeks to help the development of conservationists at early to early-mid career stages, who:
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will typically have 3-5 of years of field experience in the practice or science of species conservation,
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are managing conservation projects or programmes, or will be soon approaching this level of responsibility, and
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can demonstrate their vision, passion, leadership potential, and a clear determination to make a difference in threatened species recovery.
How to apply
If you think you meet these criteria and are interested in applying for a Carl Jones Scholarship to attend the DESMAN course, please email academy@durrell.org for application details.
Listen to Vanoush Pillay, our first recipient of the Carl Jones Scholarship discuss her time with Durrell and the difference it has made to her life...and Carl Jones talk about the difference one person can make.
Alison Jolly Scholarship Fund
The fund was established in 2014, in memory of the late Dr Alison Jolly (1937-2014), inspirational primatologist, conservation campaigner and a great friend and supporter of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. Alison Jolly was the first person to undertake systematic field studies of lemur behaviour, showing among many other things that female dominance exists in lemurs.
The fund was established with generous support from the Jolly Family and additional private individuals. The original intention was to provide a scholarship for one student per year from Madagascar to undergo fully-funded training in endangered species recovery. Due to the funding raised, we were actually able to offer two scholarships each year, beginning in 2015.
Between 2015-2017, scholarships were awarded to Malagasy participants taking the Durrell Endangered Species Recovery PGDip course, based in Mauritius. Since 2019, scholarships are for Malagasy participants taking the Durrell Endangered Species Management graduate certificate (DESMAN) course held in Jersey, at Durrell Conservation Academy HQ.
From 2020, scholarship recipients also receive a fully funded place on Durrell's bespoke, 18-month Professional Development Programme. Participants initially attend the DESMAN course, to gain a thorough background in species conservation, and then commence a series of additional online training courses, skills development training, mentoring and career support - each set customised to their individual needs.
If you are from Madagascar and are passionate about contributing to the conservation of Madagascar's unique and irreplaceable biodiversity, and feel that our training could help you, then please consider applying for a scholarship by contacting academy@durrell.org.
We are extremely grateful to the Jolly Family for their generous ongoing support in funding these scholarships, which are also supported through the royalties from Alison's inspirational book 'Thank You, Madagascar'.
Supporting the next generation of conservationists
Conservation is delivered by people and by investing in those people we are creating the next generation of conservationists around the world.
You can enable a global community of conservation professionals to join our mission of rewilding the world by supporting Durrell Conservation Academy. With more trained conservationists, equipped with the skills to deliver more impactful and effective conservation action, wildlife and wild spaces have a greater chance of survival. Together with your support, we can develop, share, and apply the skills needed to more conservationists and projects worldwide. Durrell’s training will enable conservation leaders and organisations around our rewilding sites to deliver more effective conservation and make a meaningful difference to the health of our planet.
However, we cannot do it alone. The generosity of people and organisations such as yourself are vital to our success.
Whether you are an individual, a business or a grant making organisation you really can help us to change and improve lives by developing skills, knowledge and behaviours, that are then used to drive widespread change for nature by delivering more effective, on the ground conservation action.
Without you, this vital part of our work would not be possible, and species would be at an even greater risk of extinction.
Donate today and be a part of the solution.
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£1500 will run our Learning Management System for a year, providing our students and alumni with training material and considerable ongoing CPD opportunities.
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£4500 will provide ten scholarships for participants to attend one of our online training programs.
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£10,800 will fund a DESMAN scholarship and international travel for an aspiring conservation leader to develop their skills.