The Board of Directors of YAQU PACHA e.V.
Dr. Lorenzo von Fersen
1st Chairman
Born and raised in Argentina, I got to know the fascinating wildlife of South America at an early age. It was in Patagonia that I first encountered whales, seals and dolphins. As a biology student, I was also able to experience what it means to carry out research. However, I quickly realized how fragile this marine ecosystem is. The fascination that these animals exerted on me, the problems of conducting long-term research in South America and ultimately the threat to these animals from us humans were and are the motivation to do something for these animals. That is why YAQU PACHA was founded in 1992. Through our help in the areas of research, species protection and environmental education, we want to help people in Latin America to better understand animals. This understanding of nature is certainly the best prerequisite for protecting animals and their habitat in the long term.
Sandra Honigs
2nd Chairwoman
Water has always held an incredible fascination for me. As deputy director of the Aquazoo - Löbbecke Museum, I have both the element of water and its inhabitants around me every day. Among the numerous creatures that have developed the most fascinating adaptations to life in and around water, my heart is particularly attached to the bizarre representatives such as sea cucumbers, deep-sea fish, but also manatees. As these animals tend not to have a lobby in this country, but need protection just like dolphins, otters, seals and penguins, I looked for an organization that specifically cares for the inhabitants of aquatic habitats in the vicinity of manatees and found it in YAQU PACHA. In order to make a small contribution to saving the aquatic habitat, I try to actively support the dedicated and enthusiastic team as often as I can.
Martina Hofer
Treasurer
I work as a clerk in an industrial company and came to YAQU PACHA through a friend. I work for YAQU PACHA as treasurer and also support YAQU PACHA at various events. This allows me to make my contribution to environmental protection and nature conservation. It is important to me that all YAQU PACHA employees work on a voluntary basis and therefore almost all income goes directly to the projects.
Stefan Wiessmeyer
Secretary
I have been working as a freelance jewelry designer since 1993 and started to develop my own collection with marine motifs in 1995. As I have been diving since 1989, I wanted my collection to make a contribution to protecting the oceans. While looking for a suitable nature conservation organization, I came across YAQU PACHA in a diving magazine. It was important to me to support an organization where I could see exactly what the funds provided were being used for. After an initial meeting, it was clear to me that YAQU PACHA was the right choice. Over time, I became more and more involved in the organization's work. From 1997 onwards, I was the second chairman of YAQU PACHA e.V. for many years. Today, together with Lorenzo as secretary, I take care of operations, member support and maintaining our website and our social media channels on Instagram and Facebook. Through YAQU PACHA, I have the opportunity to make my contribution to the preservation of nature. It's our world - we only have this one. It's up to us to preserve it for future generations.
The entire Board of Directors and the German team work for the company on a voluntary basis. This means that 100% of all income and donations flow directly into our species conservation projects in South America - Latin America.
Support our species conservation projects with a donation or become a member of our organization. We can already look back on 30 years of YAQU PACHA e.V.. Find out more about our work in our videos.
Our partners | La Plata Dolphin Project | Animal species that YAQU PACHA is working to protect