Executive Director

On the 1st of July 2009 Hans Kampf (the Netherlands) started as the new executive director for LHF as successor to Fred Baerselman.

Hans originally had an education as an engineer in agriculture, land improvement and nature management, followed by ecological training on the job, and a lot of experience in large herbivore and grazing projects. He has been involved in LHF right from the start, when the predecessor to LHF, the Large Herbivore Initiative (WWF Int.) was founded in February 1998 in Bialowieza, Poland.

Until July, 1st, 2009 he worked as a senior policy advisor ecology and nature management for the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food quality. He has a broad knowledge and long experience working in nature management, nature development and ecological networks, both on national and international levels.

He travelled a lot across Europe and beyond, presenting papers on e.g. ecological networks and large herbivores and developing a network of colleagues and friends to 'spread the message'. Of all the tasks, jobs, etc in nature conservation that Hans has been involved in, in particular one should be mentioned; Hans was for many years the secretary of the Dutch Government Advisory Committee for veterinary (large herbivore) issues in nature areas.

His vision:

be dedicated, pragmatic and energetic as nature conservationist. Stimulate organizations and individuals to translate paper into practice: "what's impossible today, might be possible tomorrow, or next week..." He likes bird watching and be ing astonished by nature on how beautiful and interesting nature is. You are invited to read more about his work and enjoy his pictures on his website: www.grazingnetworks.nl.

The former team, Fred, Joep and Caroline, will stay close by as advisor, involved in the projects and in many other activities.

LHF thanks the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food quality for his secondment for the period of two years.