ForeverMissed
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Tributes
March 11, 2019
March 11, 2019
I will always remember how much you taught me by what you said and what you did when I just started my work life in conservation field 22 years ago.
Thank you for brought me to join the BBR, field visits in NWNT / border, shown me how to ride mud scooter in Deep Bay, gave me chances to give presentations in other countries on wetland education, gave me insights in doing my MSc project....
Thank you for everything and glad to work with and learn from you.
March 11, 2019
March 11, 2019
Dear Deborah and family,
Lew’s dedication to wetland conservation remains as an inspiration to all of us. I first met him in Mai Po where his commitment to and understanding of this wetland environment was impressive. I worked with him for many years at the Ramsar Secretariat and found him a great supporter of the developing role of CEPA in wetland conservation. He always found time to chat with me about ideas for moving Ramsar’s CEPA Programme forward; he was always calm and supportive during the most challenging times. He seemed to have endless energy and always made time to talk to people about their wetland challenges and offer sound guidance and advice. It is profoundly sad that he is gone with so much still to give to wetland conservation and especially sad for the EAAFP where his time was so short. 
He won’t be forgotten.
March 11, 2019
March 11, 2019
Dear Deborah and family,
I send my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Words can’t express how saddened we are to hear of your loss. Although I haven’t met Lew before, but believe he will be remembered forever for his passion and dedication in conservation. Wishing you and your family peace and strength during this difficult time.
March 11, 2019
March 11, 2019
Dear Mrs Young and family,
I send my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. I started to know him in 1992 when visited Mai Po, and then continued on various working cooperations, including on Ramsar and EAAFP issues.
His works and legacy on wetlands and waterbirds conservation are countless.
Sincerely yours,
Yus Rusila Noor
Wetlands International Indonesia
March 11, 2019
March 11, 2019
To Lew's wife and family
I knew Lew for over 25 years through his time with the Shorebird Working Group of the Migratory Waterbird Conservation Committee, through his time in the Ramsar Bureau when I worked in the Australian Government Department of the Environment on wetlands and Ramsar-related matters, and most recently with the EAAFP. Lew's dedication to conservation, his thoroughly professional approach to all he did, his wonderful way of dealing with people and the passion he brought to all he did set a great example for all. He will be sadly missed bit will live on in our memories. My heartfelt condolences are with you on his loss but rest assured that Lew will always be a special person for those who knew and valued him.
March 11, 2019
March 11, 2019
Dr. Lew Young was a great conservationist, a smart gentleman, a kind guide for younger professionals. It was my honor to have worked with him on various occasions related to wetlands. We shall continue to work to make a better world, in this way, he will forever be missed and remembered.
March 11, 2019
March 11, 2019
Our sincere condolences to the EAAFP family and Dr. Lew's family.
We are saddened to hear that Dr. Lew Young passed away while attending the Yellow Sea Working Group meeting. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and his family. Thank you for helping us in making Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area as the latest Ramsar Site and 4th East Asian Australasian Flyway Network. He always value the importance in engaging the communities in the conservation of wetlands. In his last two visit in Negros he requested to met with communities and talk to them about the importance on protected the wetlands to waterbirds their livelihood.
It was truly a pleasure working with you.

Thank you Lew
from
PhilBio Team
Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc.
March 11, 2019
March 11, 2019
Dr. Lew Young was in Nepal on 2 February 2016 during the declaration of the Lake Clusters of Pokhara Valley as the 10th Ramsar Site of Nepal. With his inspiration, we developed the management plan of Lake Clusters of Pokhara Valley in 2017. As these memories are still fresh, we are profoundly shocked by hearing his passing away, which is a huge loss to the conservation sector. We pray for the eternal peace of the departed soul and would like to express our heartfelt condolence to his bereaved family.
March 11, 2019
March 11, 2019
To Mrs Young and family. I met Lew first at Mai Po 13 years ago and then worked him at various meetings and conferences during his time with the Ramsar Convention and recently with the East Asian Australasian Flyway Partnership. I am deeply saddened by his passing. The world of wetland conservation has lost a great and dedicated ambassador and champion. I feel extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to know Lew. My thoughts are with you all..
March 11, 2019
March 11, 2019
To Deborah, Naomi, and Cennyd,
I first met Lew when he participated in MoP7 in Alaska. At that time, I was new to the EAAFP. I was there to learn and meet the many conservationists of this great Partnership. Throughout the meeting, I became very aware and impressed with this well spoken and knowledgeable man who later became a very dear friend, Dr. Lew Young. Since then, I have sought and relied many times on Lew's leadership, professionalism, and experience to help me and the Partnership through many challenges and decisions. His calm demeanor and approach to his work will be greatly missed. I will especially miss his counsel and friendship. My thoughts and prayers are with you and rest assured Lew's many contributions will be remembered for a very long time.
March 11, 2019
March 11, 2019
It is with deep sadness that the Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative has learned of the passing of Dr. Lew Young.
Dr. Young was a passionate supporter of migratory bird conservation in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. AMBI enjoyed his dedication, enthusiasm and efforts to conserve some of the world's most beloved species. We know that Dr. Young will be missed by all of our partners. His passing is a major loss for the conservation community.
We would like to add our voices to those from around the globe and wish his friends, family and the entire East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership network our condolences at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Courtney Price
On behalf of the AMBI Steering Group
March 11, 2019
March 11, 2019
I first met Lew in 1998 in Shanghai during the first Shorebird Working Group meeting, he was the manager of Hong Kong Mai Po Wetland Reserve at that time. After that we have met many times at the shorebird meetings, he served as the Chairman from 2001-2005 for the shorebird working group. As we often have a good drink and walk a lot every time when we meet, we made a joke and call our group as "Drinking for Shorebird Walking Group". I was very glad to hear he took the role as the Chief of the EAAF Partnership Secretariat last year from his former post as the senior Adviser of Ramsar Convention in Asia. While we met in Hainan in December during the EAAF MOP10th meeting we had a brief discussion on the shorebird conservation issues, Lew has given his promise to strongly support the Shorebird Working Group activities. Lew’s pass away is such a great loss to the migratory waterbird conservation in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, may his soul rest in peace!
March 11, 2019
March 11, 2019
I have been working in wetland for more than ten years. Lew's achievements like Mai Po, insights in Ramsar and leadership in EAAFP has always been a guidance and model for me. He is a very good listener and always gives constructive feedback. He is humble and gentle. I will remember him and carry on his spirit for my future career and life.
March 10, 2019
March 10, 2019
Dear Mrs Young and family,
I send my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. The conservation community lost a guide and a mentor and I also lost a friend, a dear friend.
I met Lew eight years ago, and since then we kept working closely together, talking at least once a week. He always believed in me and despite his always busy schedule always found time to help, to discuss, to listen and to provide guidance and assistance. Lew was always ready to innovate and to initiate new pathways for wetland conservation.  It is in great part thanks to him that a number of the initiatives I work on have seen the light of day.
Lew was a conservationist but also a profound humanist, convinced that through environmental conservation, societies could become more peaceful, more fair and equitable. His capacity to advise, to listen and to empower people in his own gentle and compassionate way was unique and something I admire him for and which inspires me. Watching Lew at work was a reminder that our work is not only a job, but also, a mission that requires passion, dedication and constant energy and innovation.
I was there during the tragic events. During this last mission, Lew was as active as always and pursuing a suite of new initiatives, he delivered the last presentation of the day with his usual energy and enthusiasm. I can still hear his voice, reminding us of the importance of international cooperation and emphasizing the role that wetlands play, not only in supporting biodiversity, but also, the livelihoods and wellbeing of local communities he loved so much.
Lew is irreplaceable, and my pain and sadness are immense today. His work will continue to guide and inspire me for many years to come and I will never forget him. I will do everything in my power to complete his work in Mundok Ramsar site, which he loved so much, in his memory and as a thanks for everything he gave us.
I wish you and your family to remain strong and to find a way to heal the pain, again all my condolences from the bottom of my heart.
Raphaël Glémet
    
 
March 10, 2019
March 10, 2019
Still remember the very last time when I had the honour to visit Mai Po as a member of WWF Wuhan office - that memory will be carried on going forward. Very impressed with what Mai Po had accomplished by then such as having in place the best practice of wetlands management as well as a range of education and awareness programmes for people including inland wetland guardians like us. I firmly believe your legacy will be remembered forever!
March 10, 2019
March 10, 2019
Lew was a good friend for thirty years. I am profoundly shocked and saddened by his passing, and will remember him with great fondness for the rest of my life. My thoughts are with Deborah, Omi and Cenny.
March 10, 2019
March 10, 2019
I knew Lew for only a short time, since he took over as Chief of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership, but I feel fortunate to have known this giant of conservation at all. From our first contact, he demonstrated a rare combination of wisdom, passion and dedication to the natural world and, at the same time, a wonderful generosity to give everyone his time and focus, whether he was meeting with a minister, an ambassador, an intern or students at a school. He made a huge difference in his short time at EAAFP - bringing in DPRK to the EAAFP family was a towering demonstration of his belief that conservation is above politics and borders. I am desperately sad that he is no longer with us but I know that the wonderful secretariat he led, and his colleagues and many many friends along the Flyway and around the world, will redouble their efforts to deliver Lew's vision, a vision that provides safe haven for millions of waterbirds and, importantly, that benefits people, too, ensuring this shared natural heritage can be appreciated and enjoyed for generations to come. My thoughts are with Deborah, Naomi, Cennyd and everyone who held him dear. RIP Lew.
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