Celebrating 20 Years of Conservation Through the Lens of Nature

This year marks a major milestone for Nature Conservation Egypt (NCE) as the organization celebrates 20 years of dedicated work to protect Egypt’s biodiversity and natural heritage.

Since its establishment in 2005, NCE has grown into one of Egypt’s leading conservation organizations, working at the intersection of science, policy, community engagement, and environmental education. Over the past two decades, the organization has led pioneering initiatives in species conservation, migratory bird protection, biodiversity research, renewable energy and biodiversity integration, native plant conservation, capacity building, and environmental awareness, helping shape conservation policy and practice both nationally and internationally.

As part of this special anniversary, NCE proudly renewed its commitment to one of Egypt's most inspiring conservation initiatives by serving, for the fifth consecutive year, as the Official Conservation Partner of the 5th Egyptian Wildlife Photography Exhibition and Competition, organized by the Egyptian Association for Wildlife Photographers (EAWP).

Five Years of Supporting Wildlife Photography for Conservation

From the inception of the initiative, Nature Conservation Egypt (NCE) was the first organization to support the establishment of Egypt’s wildlife photography community.

Guided by its belief that photography is one of the most effective tools for conservation communication, NCE recognized that powerful wildlife images can do far more than document nature, they can inspire people, shape public attitudes, and build lasting support for biodiversity conservation.

Over the past five years, the exhibition has evolved into one of Egypt's leading platforms celebrating wildlife photography, bringing together photographers, researchers, conservationists, students, and nature enthusiasts who share a common passion for Egypt's extraordinary biodiversity.

For NCE, supporting this initiative reflects a long-standing belief that conservation begins with appreciation, and that photography has become one of the most effective tools for connecting people with nature and encouraging environmental stewardship.

The coincidence of the exhibition with NCE's twentieth anniversary gave this year's edition a particularly special significance, celebrating not only remarkable wildlife photography but also two decades of conservation achievements and partnerships dedicated to protecting Egypt's natural heritage.

A Scientific Symposium Celebrating Knowledge and Conservation

As part of the anniversary celebrations, NCE organized a scientific symposium highlighting some of today's most pressing conservation challenges and the organization's recent achievements.

The symposium explored the growing impacts of invasive alien species on Egypt's ecosystems, with particular attention given to the rapid spread of the Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis), one of the country's most problematic invasive bird species and the ecological risks it poses to native biodiversity.

Participants were also introduced to several of NCE's flagship conservation initiatives, including the Egyptian Native Plants Conservation Programme ("Aseel"), which focuses on conserving native flora and restoring degraded ecosystems, and the Galala Bird Observatory, where annual migration monitoring continues to generate internationally significant scientific data on one of the world's most important bird migration flyways.

Together, these presentations reflected the diversity of NCE's conservation portfolio and demonstrated how science, field research, restoration, and public engagement work hand in hand to protect Egypt's biodiversity.

Honouring Two Decades of Conservation Partnerships

The anniversary celebration also provided an opportunity to recognize the individuals, and institutions whose contributions have shaped conservation in Egypt over the past twenty years.

Representatives from government institutions, universities, civil society organizations, the private sector, conservation experts, long-standing partners, and supporters gathered to celebrate a shared journey built on collaboration, scientific excellence, and a common commitment to protecting nature.

The event reflected one of NCE's core values: that meaningful conservation can only succeed through strong partnerships that unite science, communities, policymakers, and the private sector around a common vision for the future.

Looking Ahead

Twenty years represent not the conclusion of a journey, but the beginning of a new chapter.

As Egypt continues to face increasing environmental challenges, Nature Conservation Egypt remains committed to advancing science-based conservation, strengthening partnerships, empowering future conservation leaders, and ensuring that Egypt's extraordinary natural heritage is protected for generations to come.

The 5th Egyptian Wildlife Photography Exhibition stands as a powerful reminder that conservation is not only driven by research and policy, but also by the ability of a single photograph to inspire people to care, to understand, and ultimately, to act.