The UCLA Institute of the Environment & Sustainability recently announced the 2021 winner of the Pritzker Emerging Environmental Genius Award: Farwiza Farhan. She is a conservationist that works to protect wildlife and create sustainable conditions for communities on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. 

The Pritzker Emerging Environmental Genius Award is dedicated to innovators under the age of 40 who lead particularly impactful environmental efforts. Head of the nonprofit organization HAHA, Farhan received $100,000 to protect the species-rich Leuser Ecosystem — this is the last location where tigers, elephants, rhinos and orangutans live together in the wild.  

Farhan leads teams to better understand community experiences and balance the needs of wildlife and people. One recent initiative was the mobilization of local community leaders in a civil lawsuit against development plans which would legitimize road and hydropower schemes, oil palm tree farming rights and new settlements. In addition, Farhan and her colleagues have reduced regional poaching by 95% through patrols and interceptions. 

Learn more about Farhan’s work at UCLA Newsroom. 

Image Source: Farwiza Farhan