Carlos SÁNCHEZ MARTÍNEZ

Carlos Sánchez Martínez (born in Santander, Cantabria, 1969) is a Spanish naturalist, conservationist, and environmental manager widely recognized for his lifelong dedication to preserving the Iberian Peninsula’s natural ecosystems. His career began with a technical degree in Agricultural Studies, later complemented by a Master’s in Protected Natural Areas from the Autonomous University of Madrid, which solidified his expertise in environmental management. In 1994, driven by a deep commitment to nature conservation, he co-founded the Fundación Naturaleza y Hombre (Nature and Man Foundation) along with other environmental professionals. Since its inception, he has served as the foundation’s president, leading it to become one of Spain’s most influential environmental NGOs. The organization has been a pioneer in applying conservation tools such as land stewardship, combining scientific research, traditional practices, community engagement, and sustainable rural development.

Under his leadership, the foundation has implemented high-impact projects across Spain—including in Cantabria, Castilla y León, Extremadura, and the cross-border region known as the Western Iberian Corridor—as well as in several locations in South America and Africa. Among the foundation’s flagship initiatives is the ecological restoration of the Alday Marshes, a formerly degraded wetland near the Bay of Santander, which has been revitalized as a haven for biodiversity and a hub for environmental education. Another major achievement is the creation of the Green Belt of the Bay of Santander, an ambitious network of protected and ecologically connected natural areas designed to harmonize urban development with ecological preservation.

One of Sánchez Martínez’s most far-reaching projects is “The Western Iberian Conservation Initiative”, which spans a vast cross-border territory between Spain and Portugal. This initiative focuses on the protection and restoration of habitats for emblematic species such as the Iberian lynx, black stork, cinereous vulture, and imperial eagle. In recognition of this innovative and large-scale conservation effort, Carlos Sánchez and his team received the prestigious BBVA Foundation Award for Biodiversity Conservation in 2019.

Beyond his work with FNYH, Carlos Sánchez has held influential positions at the national and international level. He has served as Vice President and later as President of the Spanish Committee of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), where he advocated for conservation strategies adapted to the Iberian context. In 2012, he was awarded the Medal of the Spanish Environmental Club (CEMA) for his outstanding contributions to environmental protection.

Sánchez Martínez promotes a conservation model that does not exclude humans from nature, but rather integrates human activity into the ecological balance. He is a strong proponent of land stewardship, a collaborative approach that involves private landowners, municipalities, and rural communities in protecting natural areas without relying on expropriation or restrictive regulation. He has coordinated several LIFE projects funded by the European Union and is the author or co-author of numerous publications on biodiversity, ethnography, habitat restoration, and Iberian flora and fauna. His approach combines scientific rigor, practical action, and an ethical commitment to the environment, making him a key figure in Spain’s modern conservation movement.

Thanks to his leadership and ability to turn ecological ideas into tangible, on-the-ground results, Carlos Sánchez Martínez has positioned the Fundación Naturaleza y Hombre as a benchmark institution in conservation. He continues to lead the foundation today, developing new strategies to combat climate change, promote environmental education, and implement active biodiversity conservation—always guided by a philosophy grounded in respect, collaboration, and the restoration of nature as a common good.