After being awarded the Great Binding Prize for Nature Conservation last November, Ulrich Eichelmann is now honored with the Wolfgang Staab Prize for Nature Conservation for his outstanding achievements in regards to river and floodplain protection. The prize was awarded for the first time.

Here the translation of the press release by the Schweisfurth Foundation in Munich:

Awardee Ulrich Eichelmann with the founder of the Wolfgang Staab Prize for Nature Conservation Dr. Dorette Staab. Photo: Schweisfurth Foundation

First time awarding of the Wolfgang Staab Prize for Nature Conservation endowed with 20,000 Euro goes to environmental activist Ulrich Eichelmann

Wolfgang Staab Nature Conservation Funds // Schweisfurth Foundation Munich

Munich/Raststatt, June 24, 2015 “I will remain inconvenient and a pain in the neck!” pledges environmental activist Ulrich Eichelmann on the occasion of the awarding of the Wolfgang Staab Prize for Nature Conservation for exceptional achievements in regards to sustainable  development of river and floodplain landscapes endowed with 20,000 Euro. With this prize, which was awarded for the first time ever, the foundation acknowledges his outstanding commitment for the protection of rivers and riverscapes.

From left to right: Dr. Gottwald/Schweisfurth Stiftung, Ulrich Eichelmann, Dr. Dorette Staab, Dr. Emil Dister, Alexander Zinke in Rastatt. Photo: Jürgen Milborn

Ulrich Eichelmann, born 1961 in North Rhine-Westphalia, is a fighter who wants to make a difference and leave traces. He studied Landscape Architecture and, having found his chosen home in Vienna some 25 years ago, he worked for the WWF Austria as water export for 17 years. In 2007 he became self-employed and headed the Stop Ilisu campaign against the Ilisu dam project on the Tigris in Turkey. Between 2010 and 2012, Ulrich Eichelmann and his team produced the documentary Climate Crimes about the rapid expansion of hydropower, biogas and biodiesel. “Anything that doesn’t produce CO₂ is considered to be good. This is insanity, because rivers are today the most endangered type of habitat due to the rapid development of hydropower!” says Ulrich Eichelmann in his acceptance speech. With his NGO Riverwatch, based in Vienna and founded in 1011, Eichelmann fights internationally for the protection of living rivers and riverscapes. At present, he devotes his commitment to the protection of rivers in the Balkans, which are threatened by the projected construction of over 2,000 new hydropower plants.

Photo: Jürgen Milborn

The Wolfgang Staab Prize for Nature Conservation 2015 was awarded to Eichelmann in a ceremony at the WWF Floodplain Institute in Raststatt on June 24. Ulrich Eichelmann convinced the three-member jury, composed of widow Dr. Dorette Staab, Prof. Dr. Franz-Theo Gottwald (Dean of the Schweisfurth Foundation) and Prof. Dr. Emil Dister of the WWF Floodplain Institute, on ground of his unremitting dedication, his vast expertise in regards to sustainable protection of floodplains and rivers, and his success in convincing the public of the importance of intact riverscapes for humans and nature. His laudation was given by companion and environmental consultant Alexander Zinke.

Photo: Jürgen Milborn

The price will be awarded annually by the Schweisfurth Foundation in cooperation with the Wolfgang Staab Nature Conservation Fund.

Wolfgang Staab (1938-2004) made a name as dedicated environmentalist in Rheinland-Palatinate. In the early 1970s, his outrage about the projected construction of Europe’s biggest oil refinery on the drinking water reservoir of his hometown Worms leads him to join a regional citizens’ initiative. Due to his professionalism and expertise about economic and political contexts, he soon headed the organisation, which he transferred into the Rheinland-Palatinate Provincial Association of the BUND in 1980. He worked very effectively as dean of the Association for many years and later as treasurer of the BUND Federal Association. Wolfgang Staab lost his life in a car accident in 2004. His widow Dr. Dorette Staab founded the Wolfgang Staab Nature Conservation Funds in 2014 managed by the Schwisfurth Foundation.

The application deadline for the award 2016 will end on October 1, 2015. If interested, send you application or recommendations to info@schweisfurth.de

Contact: Schweisfurth Foundation München Isabel Boergen – E-Mail: iboergen@schweisfurth.de Fon: 089 / 17 95 95 16 – Fax: 089 / 17 95 95 19