Abdullah Saad Mohammed

Hello! I am an accomplished conservationist and dedicated environmental advocate passionate about wildlife management and environmental protection. My journey in this field began in January 2019 and has since taken me through diverse landscapes across northern, middle, eastern, and southern Iraq, where I've contributed significantly to biodiversity research and sustainable initiatives.

With over 50 field surveys, I've explored various regions, from Sulaymaniyah to Basra, tirelessly collecting data to support biodiversity preservation. My work extended beyond research to practical interventions. Collaborating with the Iraqi Green Climate Organization (IGCO) from 2020 to 2022, I actively participated in the Technical Needs Assessments (TNA) and Technology Action Plan (TAP) for Iraq, contributing expertise in logistics, communications, translation, and summarizing reports to address climate change challenges.

My dedication to creating tangible change led me to collaborate with esteemed organizations like the Ministry of Environment, Carbon Limit, UNDP, and others, making pivotal contributions to environmental projects that ranged from veterinary care for water buffalo in the Central Marshes to establishing freshwater stations for local communities during drought seasons.

Among my notable endeavors, I proudly directed and edited the first-ever short film about the Maxwell Smooth Coated Otter, showcased at the 15th International Otter Congress in France in 2022. Additionally, my Master's degree study allowed me to conduct an in-depth study on the Western Marsh Harrier, contributing to our understanding of its population, migration, breeding status, and threats.

My work has not only been about research and conservation but also about fostering collaboration and communication. As a translator between French trainers and local Iraqi trainees during workshops in 2023, I've bridged language barriers for effective knowledge transfer.

IRAQI GREEN CLIMATE ORGANIZATION January 2019 – Present 

As an accomplished conservationist and environmental advocate, I have demonstrated expertise in various aspects of wildlife management and environmental protection. Notable accomplishments include organizing and managing the logistics of the International Day of Wildlife in 2019 as a part of the IGCO team, which was carried out in Babylon mall in Baghdad. 

I have conducted over 50 field surveys for biodiversity in multiple regions across northern, middle, eastern, and southern Iraq since 2019. Including Sulaymaniyah, Erbil, Baghdad, Wasit, AlQadisiya, Maysan, ThiQar, and Basra. worked with the IGCO on the organization of multiple school environmental awareness events as well as events in the College of Science at the University of Baghdad.

 In addition, I have worked for two years from 2020 – 2022 alongside the Ministry of Environment, the Norway company Carbon Limit, the United Nations Developmental Program (UNDP), New Castel University, and others as a part of the Iraqi Green Climate Organization (IGCO) team on the Technical Needs Assessments (TNA) and the Technology Action Plan (TAP) for Iraq. On both mitigation and adaptation for Climate Change. Where I was responsible for Logistics, communications, translation, and writing brief summarization reports.

 Also, I have worked with the IGCO from 2021 – Present day alongside the Agronomes et Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (AVSF) on multiple projects in the Central Marshes regarding multiple aspects to help the local population adapt and resist Climate Change effects in the area which includes a veterinary boat for the water buffalo which could deliver veterinary care for the sick animals for free inside the Central Marshes. Also worked on a freshwater station that was put together for free use by the locals during the drought season in summer. My responsibilities included managing resources, communication, note-taking, workshop management, and more.

 Moreover, I carried out surveys on the fishermen in the area to collect data about the quality of the water, fishing habits, and problems faced by the fishermen regarding their trade. This data will be used to assess the second phase of the project. Furthermore, I helped organize multiple workshops for buffalo herders and fishermen in the southern Iraqi marshlands both for data collection and raising environmental awareness. 

On top of that, my work as a field officer with the IGCO included a collaboration with the French embassy in Iraq to execute a comprehensive environmental awareness initiative in the Chibaish district. Implemented a waste management strategy by deploying strategically located garbage bins in popular tourist areas, while disseminating informative signage to promote the significance of maintaining a clean environment.

 In June 2023, as a part of the IGCO / AVSF workshops for training local veterinarians in the Chibaish district, I was responsible for translating between the trainer (French) and trainees (local Iraqi) from English to Arabic and vice versa and was also responsible for managing the flow of the workshop along with the in field training.

 Furthermore, I have worked on directing and editing the first-ever short film about Maxwell Smooth Coated Otter in Iraq and Iran which was presented at the 15th International Otter Congress - in September 2022 carried out by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in France.

 As part of my research activities, I have done a three-season study on the migrant raptor the Western Marsh Harrier in the Central Marshes. Studying the population size using the newest techniques for measuring distance and angle, age/sex ratio of the migratory raptor in the Central Marshes, breeding status in southern Iraq, and identifying potential anthropogenic and natural threats to the species. All as part of my Master’s degree study.

BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN BIOLOGY COLLEGE OF SCIENCE/UNIVERSITY OF BAGHDAD 2016 – 2019

 MASTER’S DEGREE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE/UNIVERSITY OF BAGHDAD 2020 – Present