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CEPF is recognizing these heroes as part of the celebration of its 20th anniversary. The fund empowers nongovernmental organizations, indigenous groups, universities and private enterprises to protect the world’s —the world’s most biologically diverse yet threatened terrestrial regions—and help communities thrive. CEPF does this through grants and technical support for conservation, organizational strengthening and sustainable development.

The Hotspot Heroes and the nongovernmental organizations they work for are making outstanding contributions to the conservation of the hotspots. They exemplify the kinds of dedicated, dynamic people who work to ensure that intact ecosystems can continue to sustain flora and fauna and provide clean air, fresh water, healthy soils, sustainable livelihoods, resilience to climate change and much more.��

Ms. Trang is the vice-director of��, an emerging Vietnamese nonprofit organization that has pushed the boundaries of what civil society organizations can aspire to achieve in the environmental space.��

In collaboration with others, GreenViet helped bring about one of the most remarkable conservation success stories in Vietnam: The campaign to save Son Tra Peninsula��from uncontrolled tourism development. This campaign saved Vietnam's largest population of the Endangered red-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix nemaeus) and engaged people from all walks of life in the conservation movement, including a direct intervention by the prime minister's office.

Endangered red-shanked douc langur in Son Tra Peninsular © Le Khac Quyet

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“Ms. Trang was at the center of��the Son Tra campaign, bringing dynamism, creativity and inexhaustible energy. The work of Ms. Trang and GreenViet is an inspiration to me,” said Jack Tordoff, CEPF managing director, who also oversees the CEPF investment the , including Vietnam.

Ms. Trang graduated from the Da Nang University of Technology��with a degree in environmental engineering. During that time, she volunteered for a local organization investigating and reporting crimes related to wildlife in central Vietnam.��

In her current role with GreenViet, Ms. Trang oversees initiatives related to education, public relations and development.

“The Hotspot Heroes represent the many tenacious, committed conservationists who are taking action every day to ensure the future of the biodiversity hotspots and the people who depend on these vital ecosystems,” said CEPF Executive Director Olivier Langrand. “They endure a multitude of challenges—long hours, grueling travel, difficult working conditions, political hurdles and even threats to their lives—in pursuit of a healthy, sustainable world.”

“Ms. Trang and GreenViet are changing the way people in Vietnam value nature,” said Langrand. “They are bringing together communities, businesses and government to protect important ecosystems that are key to the country’s future.”

Read more about ��and the other .

CEPF is a joint initiative of l'Agence �������ç������e de Développement, Conservation International, the European Union, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan and the World Bank.

Since 2001, CEPF has catalyzed enduring, locally led biodiversity conservation through US$250 million in grants to more than 2,400 organizations in 98 developing and transitional countries. Results include more than 15 million hectares of formal protected areas established, at least 890 globally threatened species supported, and more than 3,500 communities benefiting. Learn more at��,��, and .

Contact:

• Julie Shaw, CEPF communications director,��[email protected], +1 571.228.0860
• Nguyen Thuy Anh, ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Viet Nam Communications & Outreach Officer, [email protected],��+84-931768666
• Nguyen Duc Tu, Biodiversity Coordinator, [email protected], +84-913247551

Download a photo of Le Thi Trang . (*Note: you will need to read through Conservation International’s terms of use document before downloading.)