Words to our Friend
“ Mark embodied how to do things right in the field of conservation . A supportive , collaborative , strategic colleague focused on how to achieve the greatest impact possible . The conservationists who knew and worked with Mark are grateful for his friendship and for the example he set . Particularly in Belize , our team and our Belizean colleagues will continue advancing the country ’ s protected area system with Mark in our hearts and minds .”
Chris Jordan , Ph . D ., Latin American Director , Re : wild
“ Mark was a very honest man , enthusiastic about conservation of the planet and a guardian of Earth . Fate placed us together to solve serious problems in my country , Colombia . Between telephone conferences , video calls and chat , we built a great friendship based on mutual trust . We talked about policies , strategies , his ideas for solutions and his great appreciation for Colombia . In record time , his ideas generated thousands of new hectares for conservation . Along with all his values as a human being , we are left with the great legacy he left for biodiversity conservation on our planet . Un abrazo , my dear friend Mark .”
Luis Alfonso Ortega “ BamBam ,” Fundación Ecohabitats , Popayán , Colombia
“ Mark was an inspirational man who understood why we need to protect the environment . He knew how to get environmental projects started and accepted in collaboration with communities . A committed ecologist , he always had a smile , a word of greeting and approval , and was blessed with down-to-earth pragmatic solutions for day-to-day challenges in project management and sustainability , two of his favourite subjects . Mark liked to say that if you get on the wrong train , every stop is a wrong one . I hope he is on the right train now , and we shall see each other at the last station at some point in time . We shall sorely miss him , his smile , encouragement and trust . We have lit a candle for his lovely soul .”
Nicholas Locke , President , and Raquel Locke , Vice President , REGUA ( Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu ), Brazil
“ In all my many conversations with Mark , I always found him to be a passionate and inspirational conservationist as well as just being a genuinely warm and friendly person . I shall miss our conversations . Mark played a pivotal role in helping bring our two organisations into a more collaborative way of working in recent years . He will always have a place in WLT ’ s heart and collective memory .”
Catherine Barnard , CEO , World Land Trust
“ I met Mark about three years ago , and he impressed me from the first moment , his patience combined with his determination for the environmental and climatic cause . I deeply regret his passing and wish his family comfort in good memories , in his legacy and example .”
Mauro O ' de Almeida , State Secretary for Environment and Sustainability from Pará , Brazil
PHOTO BY ANDREA CARNEIRO
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