Daniel MARNEWICK

Daniel Marnewick is a conservation professional with over 27 years of experience leading strategic initiatives in biodiversity protection across Eastern and Southern Africa. He currently serves as the Regional Area-Based Conservation Coordinator for the IUCN's Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office, where he leads efforts to recognise and strengthen equitable and effective are-based conservation strategies aligned with the Global Biodiversity Framework.

A recognised global expert, Daniel pioneered the first national Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) programme and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) dialogues in South Africa and co-developed the IUCN's global methodology for identifying Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs). Today he supports OECM national processes in seven countries in the region. Previously, he held multiple leadership roles at BirdLife South Africa, managing their highly successful Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) programme. His groundbreaking work directly contributed to the creation of over 130,000 hectares of as protected areas.

Daniel holds post-graduate degrees in Wildlife Management and Environmental Sociology, and is an active member of several IUCN specialist groups. His extensive publication record and thought leadership in areas such as biodiversity stewardship, protected area management, OECM, and transboundary conservation have established him as a leading voice in shaping contemporary conservation policy and practice.