Chair of SWS-Africa, South Africa

Agricultural Research Council,  Natural Resources and Engineering, Senior Researcher

Stellenbosch University, Department of Conservation Ecology & Entomology, Research Fellow

Dr Alanna Rebelo is a senior researcher in the Water Science unit with the Agricultural Research Council, Natural Resources and Engineering. She concurrently holds a research fellow position in the Conservation Ecology and Entomology Department at Stellenbosch University. Her major research theme is on understanding the benefits of nature-based solutions, such as wetland restoration and clearing of biological invasions, using applied remote sensing and hydrological modelling approaches. 

Cameroon

University of Bamenda, Part-time lecturer

Dr Dingha Babila is passionate about wetland management, conservation and sustainable development. My research interest lies in Nature-based Solutions (NbS), community engagement, ecosystem service valuation and climate change adaptation. 

Nigeria

University of Lagos,  Associate Professor

Dr. Excellence Akeredolu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. With a strong interest in wetland science, Akeredolu has dedicated his career to the study and conservation of wetland ecosystems.

His passion lies in wetland restoration, wetland resource conservation, and endangered species management. He has conducted extensive research on the ecological dynamics of wetlands, focusing on the intricate relationships between plants, animals, and their habitat within these delicate ecosystems. His research has contributed to a deeper understanding of wetland ecology and has provided valuable insights into conservation strategies

Beyond his academic pursuits, Dr. Akeredolu is deeply committed to wetland education. He actively engages with students of all ages through his school outreach program, aiming to raise awareness and foster understanding of the importance of wetland ecosystems. His educational efforts are geared towards inspiring the next generation of scientists and conservationists to become dedicated stewards of these invaluable habitats.

Furthermore, he is a dedicated volunteer, devoting his time and expertise to champion the cause of the Society for Wetland Scientist Africa Region in Nigeria. Through his volunteer work, he actively participates in community-based projects, advocates for wetland conservation, and collaborates with like-minded individuals to promote the protection of endangered species.

Ghana

Department of Environmental Health and Sanitation Education, Associate Professor

Dean, Faculty of Environment & Health Education. 

Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) 

South Africa

Exigent / WetRest,  Managing Member of cc and Director

Jacolette obtained her  LLM degree in Environmental Law in 2019.  Her dissertation assessed the ‘Legislative challenges with wetland mitigation banking in South Africa’. This included aspects such as the available and required policy, tools and frameworks required for implementing wetland banking, specifically also addressing the finance options, such as BIOFIN and debating the business aspects of wetland banking.  Jacolette is a member of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law which focuses on Climate Change Law and Water and Wetlands Law.  She is a Wetland Specialist and has conducted numerous Wetland Assessments throughout South Africa. My passion is wetlands and biodiversity and related biodiversity finance.

Lesotho

National University of Lesotho, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology,  Senior Lecturer and Head of Department

Peter is an ecologist whose interest lies in plant ecology, wetland ecology, biodiversity, ecosystem services, invasive species and vegetation-environment relationships. He has been involved in several projects on wetlands. He is particularly interested in studying the complex networks of relationships between organisms and their environment, and how these interactions shape community structure and organisation, as well as ecosystem functioning. His research focuses not only on understanding the factors that influence species composition, diversity and abundance in ecological communities, but also on the processes that drive the distributions of species at both fine and coarse spatial scales, as well as temporally.

South Africa

WaterMakers, Director and Principle Wetland Ecologist 

Willem Lubbe has obtained broad and in depth working exposure within the fields of environmental and ecological sciences. Work experience include four years as an environmentalist within the mining industry, two years of dedicated focus on terrestrial ecology as well as more than the last fifteen years specialising as a wetland ecologist. Current focus and project specialisation include ecohydrological and hydropedological approaches in order to better understand watercourse drivers and required mitigation measures, also unlocking carbon sequestration, climate resilience and biodiversity enhancement opportunities. Rehabilitation implementation and monitoring is a co-driver to achieve many of the above mentioned approaches.