In a time when the planet is in crisis, Dr. Matthias Hammer is a change-maker. The NGO he founded – Biosphere Expeditions – is based on his philosophy for wildlife conservation through citizen science. Established in 1999, his non-profit combines focused scientific research with the committed involvement of citizen scientists, creating an international movement for environmental stewardship.
Dr. Hammer, through a rich combination of rigorous training, scholarly achievement, and a lifelong love of the natural world, has built a strong model for inclusive and effective conservation, protecting our world’s diversity.
From Expeditionary Roots to a Conservation Visionary
Dr. Hammer’s international upbringing created a unique combination of idealism and pragmatism. His service in the German Parachute Regiment taught him discipline and leadership. Next came academic studies in the UK at the universities of St Andrews, Oxford and Cambridge, culminating in a PhD in the field of biology. Next to this, his world travels, from the Amazon to the Alps, exposed him to environmental degradation firsthand and the necessity for concerted conservation, leading to his vision of democratizing ecological action.
His own multicultural background provided him with both the strategic mind a leader must have and a strong, personal understanding of the urgent environmental challenges that require creative solutions.
Democratizing Conservation through Citizen Science
Inspired by the conviction that conservation should encompass everyone, Dr. Hammer founded Biosphere Expeditions, which allows people from all walks of life and whatever their background to contribute directly to conservation projects across the globe. Through citizen science and ethical volunteering, people can embark on transformative journeys from concerned citizens to hands-on helpers in conservation. This approach taps into the potential of public engagement, thereby expanding the possibilities for essential data gathering and on-the-ground conservation efforts beyond the typical scientific community.
A Global Reach Through Earth’s Varying Ecosystems
Under Dr. Hammer’s pragmatic leadership, Biosphere Expeditions has developed into a renowned and globally active NGO, which runs conservation projects in ecologically significant regions throughout the world. From monitoring snow leopards in Kyrgyzstan, to reef conservation in the Maldives, to wolf conservation in Germany, the work of the organization responds to a variety of environmental issues, a testament to Dr. Hammer’s knowledge of interdependent ecosystems and the need for collective action across borders to safeguard them.
On all its projects, Biosphere Expeditions builds alliances with local communities and international partners in order to ensure long-term sustainability. As such, the NGO focuses not only on the short-term conservation of flagship species, but also on the longer-term welfare and resilience of the ecosystems to which they belong, realizing that only through an integrated and holistic process can effective conservation be secured. And the NGO’s achievements speak for themselves: A cornucopia of awards and accolades, protected areas created on four continents, wildlife and wild places saved around the globe.
Beyond Data Collection: Encouraging a Global Culture of Environmental Responsibility
But beyond the bare-bones achievements and awards, those who take part in one of Dr. Hammer’s expeditions bring back not just increased scientific awareness but also often experience profound personal transformation through nature and, as such, genuine commitment to making the world a better and more sustainable place.
This life-changing experience, as attested by many of his expeditioners, comes with the satisfaction of having done something for the plant and having left something lasting behind to local wildlife and communities.
Overcoming Challenges & Earning International Acclaim
Leading an international organization operating in challenging and often isolated environments demands a high degree of resilience and strategic acumen. Dr. Hammer has successfully established a rapport with varied communities and established significant partnerships with visionary organizations such as the Royal Geographical Society (RGS), of which he himself has become a Fellow and a Keynote Speaker.
The organization’s approach has also received notable praise in the tourism industry for its steadfast commitment towards responsible and ethical tourism at the interface of wildlife conservation. International awards that the organization has won include the National Geographic Traveler “Tours of a Lifetime” award; Travel + Leisure’s “Global Vision Award”; Winner of the “Best Volunteering Organization”, First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards; winner of the category “Countryside and wildlife”, Skål International Sustainable Tourism Awards, to name but a few.
Dr. Hammer himself has been honored as a “Hero of the Reef” for services to coral reef conservation, an “entrepreneur for the future” by the German Institute for Innovation and Sustainability, and a “UN Champion of the Earth”, also to name but a few.
Achievements of his NGO include the declaration of national parks or protected areas in the Maldives, Oman, Australia, Russia and the Ukraine – and governments and protected area managers in Brazil, Honduras, the UAE, Peru, Spain, Costa Rica and Poland have heeded his advice.
Empowering the Next Generation of Conservationists
Recognizing the importance of engaging young people in environmental protection, Dr. Hammer has supported the creation of a dedicated offshoot of Biosphere Expeditions focused on offering internships and training opportunities to local young activists. While the organization’s core mission remains centered on global citizen science and conservation, this initiative provides students and early-career individuals with valuable hands-on experience in real-world conservation research. Through direct involvement in fieldwork, participants gain insight into some of the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges and are equipped with the skills to become future leaders in conservation.
“The ability to make a difference is in each of us,” Dr. Hammer asserts, echoing the foundational philosophy behind Biosphere Expeditions. His unwavering commitment to scientific integrity and inclusive participation has positioned him as a visionary within the international conservation movement—one who continues to inspire individuals, NGOs, and governments alike to take meaningful action for the natural world.
Conclusion: A Transformative Legacy of Collaborative Conservation
Dr. Hammer’s inspiring story has made an important contribution to the cause of environmental conservation, inspiring many to become involved along the way. And in his words, this is “not just a desirable goal, but an absolute and growing imperative in effectively responding to the existential crisis our planet is facing today. We are now even imperiling humankind as a whole and we only have this one planet to live on. I encourage everyone to get involved, because sitting on our hands is simply not an option any more. We have a moral duty to act if we want to be able to look our grandchildren in the eyes.”
