Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy

ONE FAMILY, ONE TEAM, ONE MISSION

A legacy continued under the Sails of Change banner.

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TIME TO SET NATURE ON THE PATH TO RECOVERY

In Montreal, nations negotiated a 10-year plan to protect and restore nature. The stakes at COP 15, the UN Biodiversity Conference, could not be higher: nature is in a state of crisis.

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ONE OCEAN SUMMIT

It was an honour to deliver my speech at the One Ocean Summit in Brest alongside President Macron, and announce the renewal of the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Program.

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PEW BERTARELLI OCEAN LEGACY

The Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project applauded Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso’s decree conserving 60,000 square kilometers of ocean.

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SAILS OF CHANGE

Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy is the philanthropic sponsor of the Sails of Change sailing team, which supports the foundation’s mission to raise awareness for biodiversity conservation.

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INTERVIEW

Nautilus talked to me about my passion for the ocean and its protection.

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SPINDRIFT FOR SCHOOLS

Explore Spindrift for Schools’ website

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NEW MPA OFF GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS

PBOL today applauded Ecuadorian President's decree conserving 60,000 square kilometers of ocean between the Galápagos Marine Reserve and the Costa Rican maritime border northwest of the Galápagos Islands.

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As country leaders gathered in New York for the Un

As country leaders gathered in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, one of the key topics on my mind was the progress of the High Seas Treaty focusing on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction, or BBNJ, which, as an ocean advocate focused on creating Marine Protected Areas, is one of particular interest to me.

This year at the #UNGA79 (and a year after the treaty was opened for signature), modest but meaningful successes were achieved, with 5 new countries ratifying the treaty (totaling 13 globally), and 104 countries signaling their intent to ratify by signing the treaty (10 of which did so during the UNGA week).

Why do I say modest but meaningful? And why is it so complex?

The BBNJ treaty is historic in that, after 10 years of negotiations, we have, for the first time, a treaty with overarching consideration on biodiversity concerns covering over 60% of the Earth’s surface and about 95% of its living space.

Since biodiversity interacts with so many other existing treaties on fisheries, shipping, deep-sea mining, underwater cabling, research, and more, there are many levels of complexities involved. Each country will need to consider how BBNJ interacts with its national laws and customs, international commitments, home industries, and research interests.

Imagine if a deep-sea mining operation, or an unregulated fishing vessel operating within a MPA in the high seas, causes damage to marine biodiversity—who would be responsible for enforcing the regulations? Would it be the country where the company is headquartered, the flag state of the ship, or a new international body? These are the kinds of questions that the treaty will help address.

So, when it comes to the treaty, some states have decided to ratify sooner and figure out the legal ramifications later. In other cases, countries will decide to look at it and understand the implications before signing and ratifying, and of course, some countries may not find BBNJ a priority.

So, 5 new ratifications and 104 signaling their intent to ratify is progress worth celebrating.

Let’s now watch out for more action during the Biodiversity COP in Colombia!

@donabertarelliphilanthropy
#MPAs

After 10 incredible years of Spindrift for Schools

After 10 incredible years of Spindrift for Schools, I’m excited to announce that we are merging our educational programs for children and young adults under the name Sow My Dream, now part of Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy!

Spindrift for Schools has introduced thousands of students to the wonders of marine ecosystems through real-time sailing expeditions, interactive lessons, and digital content, fostering a deep appreciation for ocean conservation. Meanwhile, our Sow My Dream pilot programs in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas taught us the transformative power of climate-smart entrepreneurship, where young people gained the skills to build sustainable livelihoods in harmony with nature.

Now, under one unified name, Sow My Dream will inspire and unite eco-citizens globally. Our vision is to engage students, teachers, and schools on biodiversity and sustainability through hands-on experiences, outdoor learning, and an eco-blog that encourages real-time engagement with the world around us.

I’m excited for this new chapter and for Sow My Dream to continue shaping passionate advocates for a more sustainable future!

@sowmydream @donabertarelliphilanthropy @yann.guichard
#SowMyDream #Education #Environment #DonaBertarelliPhilanthropy #NewBeginnings

On this #WorldAnimalDay, I honor the incredible an

On this #WorldAnimalDay, I honor the incredible animals that share our planet—from our loyal companions at home to majestic wildlife, rescued animals saved from hardship, and the countless farm animals still suffering under industrial farming. These beings, each with their unique roles in our lives, remind us of our responsibility to protect and respect them.

While restoring habitats and rewilding have their place, the truth is that protecting animals and their environments from the start is not only easier but also more effective and cost-efficient. Once an ecosystem is destroyed, rewilding efforts often face significant challenges, and many species may never fully recover. Prevention is key—preserving what we have ensures the best outcomes for biodiversity and wildlife survival.

In my own work, I’m dedicated to projects that improve the well-being of both people and nature—recognizing that animals are part of the same ecosystem we depend on. We often know too little about the many benefits that nature and animals bring to our lives, and how deeply our well-being is connected to theirs. It’s not just about building shelters or advocating for better care; it’s about understanding that we, too, are part of biodiversity, intricately linked to the health of the ecosystems around us.

Every action, no matter how small, helps. Today, I encourage you to stand for animal welfare and celebrate the unique lives that make our world so unique.

#Biodiversity #WildlifeConservation #AnimalWelfareMatters

🍇 This week, I had the joy of harvesting grapes

🍇 This week, I had the joy of harvesting grapes from our small organic vineyard, which is part of our orchard. It’s only our second harvest, and while we don’t have wine just yet, we’re making progress: last year we harvested 100kg, and this year, 150kg! We’re learning as we go, with its ups and downs. In the first year, the deer ate all of our grapes, and last year the weather wasn’t helpful. But this year, the grapes have never been bigger, tastier, or more beautiful!

Our grapes, Divico, are 100% Swiss-made, developed specifically to be resistant to diseases like mildew and grey rot, which is perfectly in line with our organic approach to farming. We also prioritize locally grown, seasonal products, ensuring a sustainable and responsible way of producing food. A special thank you to my friend @gillesbesse , one of Switzerland’s top wine producers, for his valuable advice and for helping us craft this small yet meaningful production.

#harvest #organicvineyard #grapeharvest #progress #learningjourney #Divico #sustainablefarming #Swisswine #organicfarming #localproduce #seasonalproducts

Whenever I can, I love spending time creating some

Whenever I can, I love spending time creating something useful for our rescued animals. There’s something special about crafting with purpose. Working with my hands and building projects like this one really helps me reset, refocus, and stay grounded in touch with nature.

Over the weekend, after welcoming our new rescues, I decided to contribute by building this woven shelter using willow branches that I soaked for a week to make them flexible enough for weaving. It’s my first attempt at this kind of structure, and I’m open to any tips or advice!

Originally made for the Muntjac deers, this woven shelter has now become a shared space for our geese, chickens, and even rabbits! 🦌🦢🐓 It’s a reminder of how interconnected these animals are, and how important it is for us to offer them a safe, nurturing environment. My incredible animal carers and gardeners had already done an excellent job preparing their spaces, making sure everything was just right - this woven shelter was just a little extra from me, adding a personal touch to their great work.

#animalsanctuary #wildlifeshelter #rescueanimals #sanctuarylife #muntjacdeer #gooselife #chickenshelter #naturalshelter #wovenshelter #handsonproject #weekendwellspent #groundedinnature

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11 Oct 1844762270489792871

My team attended the #SportPositiveSummit in London. It’s inspiring to see sports organizations stepping up for environmental conservation. The energy in the @Sports4Nature workshops was incredible. Together, we’re building a future where sports & nature thrive hand in hand.

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11 Oct 1844755520856474070

Preserving the Southern Ocean is key to maintaining marine life and livelihoods. CCAMLR members can lead by aligning conservation with sustainable fisheries, demonstrating how stewardship ensures a future where people and nature thrive together.

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10 Oct 1844468875079139609

Thrilled to see the next generation engaging with ocean science through our educational program Sow My Dream. Introducing young minds to innovative tools like the microplastics sampler is key to fostering future ocean champions.

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7 Oct 1843287241587880271

After 10 incredible years of Spindrift for Schools, I'm excited to announce that we are merging our educational programs for children and young adults under the name Sow My Dream, now part of Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy!

@yannguichard @DBPhilanthropy
#Education #SowMyDream

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4 Oct 1842092239704506407

Replanting and restoring mangroves isn’t easy. While we planted nearly 1.5mio mangroves in India, many didn’t survive.
A reminder that restoration is challenging and highlights why protecting the mangroves we have left is vital. We must prioritize protection, then restoration.

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2 Oct 1841408347586609625

Excited to share the @Sports4Nature new video! 🌿 This joint initiative empowers sports to protect and restore nature by 2030.

Let's celebrate together #GreenSportsDay on Oct 6th! 🌍
@DonaBertarelli @IUCN @iocmedia @UNEP @UNBiodiversity
#SportForNature #NaturePositive

Programmes

Philanthropy

Committed to sustainable development, environment and nature conservation, the different facets of her philanthropic work and projects allow Dona Bertarelli to play her part in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

UNCTAD

As a strong advocate for increased ocean protection and environmental conservation, Dona Bertarelli was named in 2020 the UNCTAD Special Adviser for the Blue Economy, serving until 2023. She promoted the development of a sustainable and regenerative Blue Economy.

Sailing

Driven by her love of the ocean, focus on performance and adventurous spirit, Dona Bertarelli is a keen sportswoman and accomplished sailor. In 2016, Dona Bertarelli became the fastest woman to sail around the world, after completing the Jules Verne Trophy record attempt.

Sports for Nature

Global Fishing Watch Marine Manager

The Womanity Foundation

Sails of Change

UNCTAD Special Adviser for the Blue Economy

Spindrift for Schools

Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy

Bertarelli Foundation

Dona Bertarelli

A Swiss philanthropist, investor, sportswoman, and strong advocate for ocean protection, environmental conservation, animal welfare, education and social causes for more than thirty years, Dona Bertarelli is committed to a life more thoughtful.

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